Application guide for first-year students
Get tips and best practices to give yourself the best chance at success.
What is Common App?
Each year, more than 1 million students apply to more than 1,000 Common App member colleges worldwide through our online college application platform. Learn more about applying through our first-year application by following our step-by-step guide below.
Gather materials
The information you’ll need to complete your applications
Filling out your application takes time.
In the Education section you will enter your high school grades and current courses. Some colleges also need you to self report your high school transcript. You can check out your Courses & Grades section to learn more.
You can share your interests and who you are outside of the classroom in the activities section. You can share information about things like work, hobbies, clubs, and community engagement. And don't forget, family responsibilities can be important to share as well. This is the place to show colleges what makes you unique!
You may self-report scores for any standardized tests in the Testing section. Every college has different testing requirements. Some colleges will always need your test scores. Other colleges may be flexible or have a test optional policy. Be sure to check the Testing policy of the colleges on your list.
Many colleges collect this information in the Family section for demographic purposes. We will ask for your parents occupation, employment status, and education level. If applicable, we will also ask which college(s) they attended and how many degrees they have earned.
The Activities section isn't the only place to show your passion and where you excel! You will also have the chance to share any academic honors or achievements from high school.
Create an account
Get started at any time
Creating a Common App account is easy and should only take a few minutes.
Account rollover.
Common App accounts can roll over from year to year!
With account rollover , you can start exploring Common App and save answers to questions in the Common App tab at any time.
Add colleges
Start building your My Colleges list
Once you’ve created your account and explored the colleges that accept the Common App, you're ready to start adding colleges.
A request to the college to remove the application fee. Using either the Common App fee waiver, which your counselor must confirm, or a college-specific fee waiver, you will not be required to pay the fee to submit your application.
Coed is a term used to describe a college or university that offers the integrated education of male and female students in same environment.
Engage supporters
Collaborate with counselors, teachers, and more
All colleges need things like official school forms. Many colleges will also ask for letters of recommendation.
Counselors share their perspective using the context of the entire graduating class. They also submit the School Report and transcripts.
Parents will only need to submit a form if you apply using a college's early decision deadline. They will fill out part of your early decision agreement.
Teachers give a firsthand account of your intellectual curiosity and creative thought.
Other recommenders are usually non academic recommenders like coaches, employers, and peers. They give insight into your interests and activities outside of the classroom.
Advisors do not submit any forms. They track and check in on your application progress.
Every college gets to choose their own recommendation requirements. You can find more details on each college's "College Information" page.
Understanding requirements.
Keep track of each college’s unique application requirements
It's important to stay organized as you work on your applications.
Each college's Explore Colleges profile provides lots of information about the college. You can find details on application information, campus culture, scheduling visits, and more.
In the My Colleges or College Search tab, you can learn more using a school's college information page. Here you can see requirements for testing, writing, deadlines, and more.
The requirements grid is a comprehensive PDF that lists all the colleges that use the Common App and their requirements. You can also find the grid within the application.
We maintain a list of all Common App colleges and their essay prompts . This resource will help as you begin planning your essays. For more help on planning essays, check out our essay planning worksheet.
You can save answers to Common App tab questions year over year. So you can get started on things like your personal essay or the activities section at any time.
Responses to questions in your My Colleges do not stay year over year. Only get started on things like college-specific questions, writing supplements, or portfolios if you intend to apply this school year. For more info, check out our account rollover FAQ .
Plan essays
Organize and plan for your writing prompts
Sometimes writings essays can feel like the biggest part of your application. With a little bit of planning, organizing, and drafting, we can help you make this task more manageable.
Colleges can either make the personal essay optional or required. In the writing section of your Common App tab, you will see a table that lists each college's requirements.
Many colleges include short answer questions or essay prompts within this section. You can find specific information about each college's individual writing prompts here .
Some colleges use a separate writing supplement. Not all colleges have a writing supplement. Some colleges only request this supplement based on how you answer other questions. You can find more information about writing supplements on the Dashboard or your My Colleges tab.
Submit your application
Review and submit your application
Get ready to begin your journey
Walk through the application with us before you apply.
Need help? Contact our Solutions Center.
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