Common Application How-To Guide

The Common Application, better know as the Common App, is an online undergraduate admissions application that can help students apply for 512 member colleges and universities. It can be found at: commonapp.org.

For a transfer student, the Common App aids in the application process to various transfer institutions. To help students successfully go through the admissions application process, here are some tips.  

The first step is to create a free account. To fully complete it, one must be ready with all demographic information, parental information and school records. This step may take more than 30 minutes, but there is an option to save and continue at a later point. Once the account is created and everything is filled out, green check marks will appear in each completed section. If there is something missing, there will be a red mark.

The second step is to pick prospective transfer institutions. Once they appear in the homepage, click on the college or university and check what supplemental material the school requires.

Some schools require supplemental essays and questions. Most schools require recommendations. When asking a professor for a letter of recommendation, pick one that really knows who you are. Give them at least two weeks notice to complete the letter. Never  ask for a letter a week before deadline. Provide them with a résumé to further give insight on accomplishments or volunteer work. The Common App will inform the student if and when the professor has submitted the recommendation and when the school received it.

The final step is to make sure all information, essays and material is completed and ready to send before deadline. The app will show a green checkmark next to chosen college or university when the application is ready to send. One should submit their applications no later than a week before the deadline to avoid any stress.

Each application requires a fee depending  on each individual university applied to.