Common ApplicationPlanning to Apply for college Admissions

Nicole Murphy, Director of College SuccessFebruary 2013

Alliance College-Ready Public Schools

PRE-ASSESSMENT

Please take 5 minutes to complete the pre-assessment questions

LEARNING OBJECTIVES1) Learn what the Common App is and the benefits of using this

application

2) Learn which schools use the common app

3) Learn how to access the application and what are the required components

4) Complete the first FIVE pages of this year’s Common App.

5) Examine a Common App timeline to understand the importance in planning ahead and the ongoing required attention

WHAT IS THE COMMON APPLICATION “COMMON APP?”

THE COMMON APPLICATION “COMMON APP”

COMMON APP IS AN COLLEGE APPLICATION SERVICEProvides both online & print versions of it’s First-year and Transfer college applications

Students may apply to 488 institutions (US & international schools)

Types of schools affiliated with the Common App: – Public and private– Large and small– Highly selective and modestly selective – Participating U.S. & international schools

1) SAVES TIME - Apply to multiple colleges and universities through one uniform application

2) APPLY TO SCHOOLS THAT USE A HOLISTIC SELECTION PROCESS Evaluate students using more than grades & test scores for admissions:a) Objective criteria – Can be measured quantitatively (in numbers)b) Subjective criteria – Cannot be measured in numbers

• At least 1 recommendation , Essays, and Broader campus diversity considerations: interests, demographics, etc.

3) EASILY SUBMIT & TRACK YOUR APPLICATION THROUGH THE COMMON APP WEBSITE

BENEFITS OF USING THE COMMON APP

WHAT SCHOOLS USE THE COMMON APP?

1) School’s undergraduate admissions Webpage

2) Click the “Member Colleges & Universities” link on the Common App Website

3) Naviance displays the following icon designating a college/university uses the Common App. Icons are located on:

a) School’s “General Info” tabb) Student’s college lists:

• “colleges I’m thinking about” • “colleges I’m apply to”

3 WAYS TO FIND SCHOOLS USING THE COMMON APP?

WHERE CAN I FIND THE COMMON APP?

1. Go to the Common App Website:www.CommonApp.com

2. Create a First-Year account:*Alliance students must apply via online for tracking purposes (Links with Naviance)

•Select a professional username & password you will remember•Use an email address you check often (Make sure your email is professional)

HOW TO ACCESS THE COMMON APP

REQUIRED OPTIONALGeneral Application Art Supplements *Include student

work regarding music, theater, dance, film or visual arts

Teacher Evaluation Athletic Supplements *If you anticipate playing college sports

School Report *Completed by Counselor ED Agreement *Early Decision commitment to a 1st choice school if admitted

Midyear Report*Completed by Counselor Optional Grade Report *Used to update grades if changes occur

Final Report *Completed by Counselor

College-specific Supplements*Additional essays opportunities/requirements

WHAT ARE THE COMMON APP FIRST-YEAR

APPLICATION PACKET COMPONENTS

LET’S BEGIN COMPLETING THE COMMON APP

Page 1 – Applicant Information

Page 2 – Family Information

Page 3 – Education Information & Academics

Page 4 – Honors Section, Extracurricular activities and work experience

Page 5 – Writing Section & Signature Piece

GENERAL APPLICATION COMPONENTS

(REVIEW & COMPLETE – PGS. 1-5)

Using the 5 page paper Common Application provided, begin completing the application (pages 1-5)

Raise your hand if you have any questions

NOTE: Much of the general information required on the Common App is the same information required by all colleges and universities

GENERAL APPLICATION COMPLETION

PLANNING 7 COMMON APP TO-DOs

1) SELF EXPLORATION - Identify what you need and like in a college/university? (EXAMPLES: Admissions criteria, location, small class size, in a major city, nursing program, etc.)

2) ONGOING COMMUNICATION WITH YOUR COUNSELOR ABOUT HS SUCCESS, CAREER GOALS & COLLEGE OPTIONS -Counselors, teachers & administration will support students with completing tasks

3) COLLEGE RESEARCH – Find your college matches & enter these school’s names into Naviance

4) IDENTIFY EACH SCHOOL’S APPLICATION PROCESS & REQUIREMENTS

COMMON APP/COLLEGE APPLICATION TIMELINE

4) START WRITING APPLICATION ESSAYS – You should have a massaged draft(s) or final essay(s) by August of senior year.

You will create multiple drafts of each essay, and want feedback from others before submitting with your applications

5) LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION - Think about which teacher(s) & employers you will ask

Ask in a professional manner (written letter with resume) & ask way in advance!

6) MONITOR APPLICATIONS THROUGH TO GRADUATION – Students must monitor their email, Common App, & specific school’s Websites until they start college

BE PREPARED WITH A PLAN (CONTINUED)

COMMON APP PROCESS IS FIRST

AUGUST 1st - The updated Common App online and paper applications are available AUGUST 1st

GET OUT OF THE WAY FIRST – Being prepared to submit in August or September keeps Common App tasks from bleeding into CSU and UC application windows

CONSIDER APPLY EARLY DECISION (ED) OR EARLY ADMISSIONS (EA) - Students with strong grades & admission test scores should consider applying to schools via ED or EA

– May increase admission chances– Receive admissions decision earlier than regular deadline

POST-ASSESSMENT

Please take 5 minutes to complete the post-assessment questions