The Complete Guide to the Common App: Tips, Deadlines & Pros, Cons

You've narrowed your choice of colleges down to several different schools. Next comes the fun part: filling out and submitting multiple college applications. This means repeatedly entering your name and school information and writing multiple personal essays. You’re not alone when it comes to feeling overwhelmed and frustrated by repetitive data entry just to see if you’re accepted to your top college choices. Most high school students are juggling a lot during their senior year of school. But there is a popular alternative to streamline your college application process—the Common App.

What is the Common App and How Does It Work?

The Common Application, commonly known as the Common App, is a standardized undergraduate college application form. The Common App platform is free to use. First-time and transfer students can apply to multiple colleges and universities using the Common Application. According to the Common App website, more than 1,100 colleges and universities are accepting the standardized college application.

When Does the Common App Open for High School Seniors?

The Common App opens August 1. If you are planning to apply to colleges for the fall semester for the upcoming school year, you can begin working on your application on August 1. Do not begin working on your writing section and letters of recommendation prior to August 1, as this information will not be transferred to next year’s application season. You can, however, begin working on other aspects of your Common Application profile prior to August 1, as this information will transfer to the new application season.

Key Common App Requirements: Transcripts, Essays and Reccomendations

The Common Application looks like most college application systems, with all the usual fields for name, address, school and test data, as well as questions about your work experience and volunteer activities.

General Application Information

You’re encouraged to gather important information after you create an account and before you apply for the Common App. This information includes: • High School Transcripts • List of Activities, Work and Family Responsibilities • ACT/SAT Test Scores and Dates • Parent or Legal Guardian Information • Academic Honors and Achievements

Letters of Recommendation

Most colleges will require letters of recommendation. The Common App makes it easy to invite recommenders to submit entries. Once you have created your Common App account, you’ll have the opportunity to invite your teachers, counselors, and mentors to submit letters of recommendation within your Common App account. Make sure you send those invitations after August 1.

Writing Section

Many colleges require some type of essay, whether that’s a personal statement or a prompted essay specific to a university. You can search for writing expectations from each university on the Common Application's Writing Requirements by College. The first portion of the Common App’s writing section is the Personal Essay. Some colleges make this a requirement. Even if it is not required by a college on your list, we recommend completing it to show your enthusiasm and to keep your application unique. The personal essay portion of your Common App writing portion will provide you with seven essay prompts to choose from. You’re expected to submit a response up to 650 words inspired by the prompt you chose.

Additional College Requirements

Many colleges and universities require a supplement in addition to the Common Application. Supplements are considered portfolios, or additional, institution-specific questions and, in some cases, additional essay questions. Common App has created a requirements grid PDF to see a full list of requirements by college. Plan ahead; compare the PDF with the top-choice colleges you’re applying for via the Common App. Many colleges and universities require a supplement in addition to the Common Application. Supplements usually contain additional, institution-specific questions and, in some cases, additional essay questions. Most institutions that require supplements have them available for download on their Webpage. Don’t be afraid to include extra materials, just because a college or university doesn't require a supplement. If you're a musician or artist, include samples of your work with your application. If you'd like to highlight additional volunteer or community work, include those experiences as well.

Which Colleges Accept the Common Application?

Both private and public colleges in all 50 United States participate in the Common App college admissions process. Universities in 20 countries also use the Common Application for college admission. After you’ve narrowed down your list of colleges you’d like to attend, check to see if they’re accepting the Common App.

How to Apply to Colleges Using the Common App: Step-by-Step

Complete the application online for free and submit it directly to participating institutions. The site is encrypted for your privacy and requires that you register beforehand. Once you've created an account, you can save, alter, and revise your application as often as you like before submitting.

Create your Common App account.

You do not have to apply for colleges right away to create your Common App account. You will need to provide basic information like your email, home address, phone number, legal name, and birthday.

Build your list of Common App colleges.

You can build a list of 20 colleges you are interested in, anytime. Use their College Search tab to explore and filter colleges of interest by state and distance from your ZIP code. Find out the Common App colleges’ application deadlines and their application fees, too.

Review each college’s specific admission requirements.

Use the My Colleges Tab to review standardized testing policies, the recommender requirements, and additional college application requirements. This Common App tool is a great way to gauge your college application season workload.

Complete your application.

Ensure that all the items necessary to successfully complete your application are finished. Use your My Colleges Tab to double-check that the college you are applying to does not require additional application assets outside of your Common App application.

Submit your application.

Finally, submit your Common App Application. While some students consider this the last step, it is not. Be sure to check the email you used for your Common App account often. You will receive important updates regarding your applications at the email address you provided.

Pros and Cons of Using the Common Application

The Common Application streamlines your college admissions process into a single platform. For most students applying to two or more participating colleges, the time-saving benefits far outweigh the drawbacks.

Advantages of the Common App

• Saves Time: Fill out your background, extracurriculars, and contact details once instead of re-entering the same information for every school.
• Focus on One Stellar Essay: Concentrate your energy on crafting a single, high-quality main personal essay rather than starting from scratch for every application.
• Centralized Recommendation Requests: Easily invite, track, and assign letters of recommendation directly inside your profile dashboard.
• Early Access & Rollover: High school juniors can explore the app early and roll over their profile information into senior year.

Disadvantages of the Common App

• Not Accepted Everywhere: While over 1,000 colleges accept it, some institutions still require their own platform or state-specific portals.
• Supplemental Essays Add Up: Many universities require school-specific supplemental essays on top of the main essay, which can quickly add to your workload.
• Application Overload: Because applying is easier, it’s tempting to apply to more schools than necessary—leading to extra fee costs. Stick to your curated list of top choices.

Bottom Line: If two or more of your target colleges accept the Common App, it is well worth using to simplify your admissions journey.

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Additional Helpful Resources for High School Seniors

• Top Scholarships for High School Seniors: Discover a curated list of top awards open right now, ranging from high-value merit grants to quick-apply options.
• Fastweb $1,000 "Invite a Friend" Scholarship: Earn cash for college together by entering this quick, no-essay sweepstakes when you share your referral code with classmates.
• Senior Year College Planning Checklist: Stay on track and hit every major application, FAFSA, and enrollment deadline with a month-by-month timeline.