Common Application

HOW TO APPLY TO COLLEGES USING THE COMMON APP. 

Follow these steps to complete your Common App accurately and efficiently:

• STEP 1: The preparation
  Gather the information you KNOW you will need. If you have been using the College Map Mentor's Academic Organizer to keep track of your classes, grades, awards, certifications, accolades, community service, clubs, sports, work, etc, you can pull it up and have all of your information. 

  • • Copy of your high school transcript (unofficial)

    • List of your activities, work & family responsibilities

    • Test scores and dates from your college entrance exams (SATs, ACTs, etc.)

    • Parent/Legal guardian information

    • Academic honors & achievements

• STEP 2: Create your Common App account

  • • Visit Commonapp.org

    • Click Create an Account and select First-Year Student

    • Enter your personal details, choose a secure password, and verify your email

• STEP 3: Complete your Profile

  • • Add your name, address, date of birth, and contact details.

    • Complete sections for demographics, geography, and citizenship.

    • Save your progress before moving on.

• STEP 4: Add Colleges

  • • Use the College Search tab to find schools by name, location, or criteria.

    • Click the + Add button to add them to your college list.

    • Review each school's application requirements and deadlines carefully.

• STEP 5: Fill Out the Application Sections (Common App Tab)

  • • Family Information: Parent/guardian names, education, and occupation; sibling information (if applicable)

    • Education: High school details, college details (if applicable), GPA, class rank (if applicable), current year courses (this is your senior year classes), and honors/academic achievements.

    • Testing: SAT, ACT, IB, AP, and/or AICE/Cambridge (if applicable).

    • Activities: List up to 10 extracurriculars - include your role and impact.

    • Writing: Common App Essay/Personal Essay (under 650 words) and additional essays (if applicable)

    • Courses & Grades: If applicable

• STEP 6: Upload Your Essays

  • • Copy/paste your Common App Essay/Personal Essay from the list of Common App prompts.

    • Add any Supplemental Essays required by specific colleges (under the college in the My Colleges section)

    • Proofread carefully - strong essays reflect your personality and values

• STEP 7: Review and Submit

  • • Double-check every section for accuracy. DO NOT SUBMIT TO ANY COLLEGE UNLESS ALL INFORMATION HAS BEEN REVIEWED BY A PARENT, COUNSELOR, OR TRUSTED INDIVIDUAL AND THE APPLICATION IS COMPLETELY READY.  YOU NEED TO CHECK FOR MISTAKES.  ONCE AN APPLICATION IS SUBMITTED, YOU CANNOT MAKE ANY CHANGES - EVEN IF THERE IS A TYPO. 

    • Confirm all deadlines and required materials.

    • Pay your application fee, enter a fee waiver code (if applicable), or request a fee waiver (if eligible).

    • Click Submit. You will receive a confirmation email from Common App.

DOES THE COMMON APP COST? 

The platform itself is free to use.  However, most colleges charge their own application processing fee (usually $30 to $90 for U.S. applicants and more for international applicants), but there are over 500 colleges that do not charge an application fee. You can apply for a fee waiver if you need one.

what colleges use the COMMON APP? 

Common App colleges consist of a varied list of institutions: private, public, big, small, engineering colleges, and liberal arts schools. Check out the full list of over 1000 colleges or search here for Common App schools.

Below is a list of Florida public and private schools that use the Common App.

COMMON APP RESOURCES

• Step-by-step walkthrough of the Common Application process by Khan Academy.

• PDF printable forms on the Common App website

  • • What is the Common App?

    • How does the first-year Common App work?

    • Understanding Common App Direct Admissions

    • Application Dictionary

    • Gather Your Materials Checklist

    • My College Requirements Worksheet

    • High School Details Information Worksheet

    • FERPA & Your Application

    • Understanding the Testing Section of the Common App

    • Approaching the Activities Section

    • How to Approach the Essay

    • Understanding the Recommendation Process

    • Family Brag Sheet

    • Teacher Brag Sheet

    • Understanding Application Fees and Waivers

    • Understanding your Financial Aid Offer

COMMON APP ESSAY

• You’ll submit one essay through the Common Application for all your schools.

• Some colleges may also ask you to answer a few supplemental questions or additional essays.

• Check out the Common App essay prompts now so you can start strategizing about which essay to write. (Updated for 2025-2026 school year)

• Need essay help?  

  • • Review the information on the Essay page of this website.

SUBMIT SCORES OR NOT TO SUBMIT?

• TEST REQUIRED

  • • You MUST submit

• TEST OPTIONAL

  • • MAYBE submit

    • Colleges with a test-optional policy allow the applicant to decide whether or not they want standardized testing to be a part of their application file. Optional truly means optional in these circumstances, meaning the absence of testing will not negatively impact an applicant’s review process. Instead, the quantitative portion of the review process will be entirely focused on a student’s high school transcript and the rigor of their curriculum.

    • If you have taken the SAT or the ACT and are wondering if your scores should be submitted to a test-optional institution:

      • • If your scores fall toward the upper end or exceed a college’s published middle 50% range of testing, your scores may be a positive addition to your application. 

        • If they fall on the low end or below the published middle 50% range, then you should take advantage of their test-optional policy and not submit them. 

• TEST FREE

  • • Do NOT submit

    • Test-free institutions do not accept or factor standardized testing results into their admissions process at all. These institutions believe there is ample information included in the application process to make an informed decision on an application without the inclusion of standardized testing.

QUICK LINKS

• Common App HomePage 

• Common App Essay Prompts

• List of members, deadlines, fees and requirements

• Common App Help Center

• Known Issues & Progress Updates

WHAT IS THE NEXT STEP?