If you are a rising senior, you should be either working on your personal statement on the Common Application or at least seriously thinking about it.
If you have not started or you are struggling, here are some tactics and strategies you may want to consider from the go to resource, the College Essay Guy.
Click the resource below for a comprehensive guide to writing your personal statement.
By: North Shore College Consulting
When it comes to college applications, every detail matters. The Common Application provides a platform for students to showcase their achievements, experiences, and aspirations, giving colleges a holistic view of who they are. However, sometimes there are circumstances or nuances that can't be fully captured within the standard sections of the application. That's where the "Additional Information" section comes into play. In this blog post, we'll explore the ins and outs of this often-overlooked section and guide you on when and how to use it effectively.
Located towards the end of the Common Application, the Additional Information section provides students with an opportunity to provide context and explanations for aspects of their application that may not be immediately clear elsewhere. With a generous word limit of 650 words, this section can be a powerful tool for addressing gaps or unusual circumstances that might raise questions for admissions officers.
It's essential to understand, however, that the Additional Information section is not meant to serve as a second personal statement. While colleges are interested in learning about your experiences, accomplishments, and challenges, this section should not be used to reiterate or duplicate information already provided elsewhere in your application.
The Additional Information section should be reserved for circumstances that warrant further explanation or elaboration. Students should carefully evaluate their application for any areas that might benefit from additional context. Some situations where the use of this section could be appropriate include:
1. Explaining Gaps: If you've experienced gaps in your education due to personal or family issues, this is the place to explain them. Perhaps you had to take a break from school due to illness, family responsibilities, or other challenges. This section allows you to provide context without leaving admissions officers wondering about the missing pieces. You can also use it to address any discrepancies or unusual circumstances in your academic record.
2. Special Circumstances: If there are factors beyond your control that have affected your academic performance or extracurricular involvement, this section is ideal for explaining them. For instance, if you had to relocate frequently due to a parent's job, it might have impacted your ability to participate in certain activities.
3. Personal Challenges: Some personal challenges are deeply impactful but might not be suitable for the main essay. If you've overcome adversity, such as dealing with a serious illness, overcoming a learning disability, escaping an abusive situation, or taking on significant caregiving responsibilities, you can briefly touch on these experiences in this section. Use this section to elaborate on how you demonstrated resilience in the face of adversity.
4. Personal Identity: If aspects of your personal identity, such as sexual or gender identity, played a role in your educational experience, you can explain how they influenced your path. For example, if you used different pronouns than those mentioned in recommendation letters due to not being out as trans or nonbinary to your teachers, this section can provide insight.
5. Provide Additional Context: Many students participate in extracurricular activities or honors that may not be widely recognized but hold personal significance. The Additional Information essay is a good place to describe a significant volunteer experience or community involvement that influenced personal growth and cannot be adequately described in the 150 character limit of the Common App’s Activity section. .
While the Additional Information section provides an opportunity for students to provide context, there are certain topics that should be avoided.
1. COVID-19: The Common Application includes a dedicated section for COVID-19 related information. Avoid discussing the pandemic here unless it's directly tied to a unique circumstance that can't be addressed elsewhere.
2. Irrelevant Details: Don't use this space to reiterate your achievements or list additional activities. Admissions officers already have that information in other sections. Avoid irrelevant details, like listing your favorite books, foods or hobbies, as these can detract from the overall impact of your application.
While the Additional Information section can offer valuable insight into your life, it's essential to use it wisely. Admissions officers read through countless applications, and they appreciate conciseness and relevance. So, before deciding to use the Additional Information section, take a step back and evaluate your application as a whole. Is there any crucial context missing? Consider whether there is any key context or information that could help admissions officers gain a deeper understanding of your achievements, challenges, or personal circumstances. If you determine that there are relevant aspects that require further explanation, utilizing the Additional Information section can be a valuable opportunity. Conversely, if your application is comprehensive and leaves little room for confusion, it's perfectly acceptable, and often advisable, to skip this section.
Lastly, it's important to emphasize that it is perfectly acceptable not to use the Additional Information section if you do not have any pressing issues or gaps to address. Remember, this section is truly optional, and if your application is comprehensive and provides a clear picture of who you are as an applicant, there may be no need for additional explanations.
In the realm of college applications, transparency and authenticity reign supreme. The Additional Information section is your chance to provide a comprehensive view of your journey, shedding light on the aspects that might not be immediately evident. Use it thoughtfully and strategically to enhance your application's narrative and ensure that admissions officers leave with a full understanding of your unique story. Remember, it's okay not to use this section if you have no pressing issues to address; quality is always better than quantity.
By Amanda Gohl
The Common App allows both first-time students and transfer students to apply to multiple colleges at once, eliminating having to repeat some of the most tedious parts of the application. However, navigating this platform can be daunting, especially for first-time parents. Fear not! In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the Common App step-by-step, empowering parents to support your student effectively on their journey to higher education.
Give yourself plenty of time to complete your applications. It shouldn’t be crammed into one sitting. Start early so you have plenty of time to be thoughtful in your responses.
The first step is for the student to visit the Common App website (commonapp.org) and create an account. Tip: students should use a personal email address, not their high school email address.
Using the “College Search” feature, they can easily find and add institutions to their list.
In the “Profile” section under the “Common App” tab, your student will provide their personal details, contact information, and demographic data. Remind them to be accurate and consistent throughout the application.
The “Family” section asks about your household. Only the boxes with the red asterisk are required.
The “Education” section requires information about your student’s high school, planned courses for senior year, and academic achievements. If required, students will see an additional section for “Courses & Grades” where they’ll individually enter every class taken and grade earned in high school. Students will need a current high school transcript to help with this process.
The “Testing” section allows students to enter scores for tests they’ve previously taken and also list upcoming test dates. Students can still choose within each individual application to apply with or without test scores, if the college is test-optional. Unsure if testing is required? Visit the Dashboard tab and click on “Application Requirements.”
The “Activities” section is an opportunity for your student to showcase their involvement outside the classroom. Advise them to highlight their most meaningful activities and provide brief descriptions of each.
The “Writing” section is where your student will respond to the essay prompts required by the Common Application. Encourage them to start early, allowing ample time for revisions. Remind them to let their authentic voice shine through and share personal stories that demonstrate their character and values.
The “Additional Information” section under “Writing” is an opportunity for students to write about something not included in other parts of their application that they feel is important for the admissions office to know. Your counselor can help you determine if you need to include anything here.
To see what each college requires at a glance, revisit your “Dashboard” and click on the “Application Requirements” button. The end of the grid will tell you which colleges require (and how many) teacher evaluation, other evaluations, and counselor recommendation.
To add recommenders or collaborators, go to the “My Colleges” tab. You’ll need to individually add teachers and other recommenders within each college. Start by choosing one of your colleges and click on “Recommenders and FERPA.” You will first need to complete the “FERPA Release Authorization” before you can add recommenders.
Next you can add your counselor (only need to add once), teacher(s) (add for each college as needed), other recommenders, and advisor(s) if needed.
Within each college tab you’ll have “Questions” specific to that college and their application. Once you select your “Preferred start term” you’ll choose your “Preferred admission plan”. Refer to the “College Information” section for admission deadlines.
Some colleges may have a required Writing Supplement embedded into the Common App. This will need to be completed before submitting your application.
Before hitting the submit button, thoroughly review the entire application for accuracy and completeness. Double-check that all essay prompts are adequately addressed and that there are no errors in the form. You do not have to wait until you’ve completed every application nor do you need to wait until your counselor or recommenders have completed their portion. When you complete an application on your end, you may submit it.
Be mindful of application fees. The application grid from the dashboard can give you a quick overview of the total cost of your applications. If needed, discuss potential fee waivers or alternative financial options with your student’s school counselor.
After submission, your student can track the status of their application through the dashboard. Keep an eye on deadlines and make sure supplementary materials, like test scores and transcripts, are sent to colleges on time.
The Common App dashboard gives a nice overview of requirements but students should also have their own way of keeping track of deadlines and next steps as they may be submitting applications that are not on the Common App. Most colleges will send students an email once they’ve received the application to create an account through the college. It may take several business days for all application components to be recognized in the college portal, don’t panic! Pay attention in your portal to any additional requirements such as other essays, scholarship deadlines, etc.
The Common App can seem overwhelming at first, but with this step-by-step guide, you and your college-bound student can confidently navigate the process together. Parents – encourage your student to take the reins while offering guidance and support when needed. Remember, the college application journey is not just about reaching the destination but also about the growth and self-discovery that comes along the way. Embrace this exciting time and celebrate each milestone achieved. With determination and preparation, your student will be well on their way to making their college dreams a reality
Please check out the following recorded webinars for students and parents regarding college application assistance.
The Common Application
College Essay Writing
By The Princeton Review
The Common Application, also known as the Common App, makes it easy to apply to multiple colleges using one application. Is your dream school a Common App college? Here’s everything you need to know.
The Common Application is a single online college application form used by over 900 colleges and universities. Instead of filling out the same general information—like your address, GPA, and extracurriculars— a dozen times, you only have to do it once. The Common App dashboard also helps you track necessary application documents (like your letters of recommendation) and important deadlines.
Common App colleges are a varied list of institutions: private, public, big, small, engineering colleges and liberal arts schools. Check out the full list of the 918 Common App schools.
Get ready for application season! The Common App goes live every year on August 1.
Your application deadline depends on whether you are applying early decision (typically November 1) or regular decision (typically January 1). Deadlines also vary by school, so be sure to check dates for every college you are applying to. You can find application deadlines (plus tons of school information) in our online college profiles.
You’ll submit one essay through the Common Application for all your schools. Some colleges may ask you to also answer a few supplemental questions. Check out previous Common App essay prompts now so you can start strategizing about which essay to write.
The financial aid process begins with filling out the FAFSA and is separate from submitting your Common App (and with different deadlines!). Learn everything you need to know about financial aid.
The platform itself is free to use, but every college charges their own application processing fee (usually $30 to $75 for U.S. applicants and more for international applicants). You can apply for a fee waiver if you need one.
Follow these steps to apply to college through the Common Application.
All you need is an e-mail address to get started. You'll be prompted to create a login and password and to answer a few quick questions about who you are (parent, teacher, or counselor) and when you're applying to college.
Not all schools accept the Common App. Colleges may require that you fill out their own application form or ask you to use another application system like ApplyTexas for Texas colleges. Add schools that interest you to the My Colleges list in your Common App account.
Keep in mind that Common App schools can have different writing, testing, essay, and letter of recommendation requirements.
Make sure you do your research! You’ll use the same Common College
application form but admission requirements may differ from school to
school.
For example, one college may require the SAT, while
another school might be test optional. Many schools will ask you write
essays in addition to the Common App essay or have additional
college-specific questions for you to answer. You’ll be able to submit
all of these extras through the Common App dashboard.
For the most part every application will ask for a copy of your high school transcript, a list of your extracurriculars, and information about your parent or guardian's educational background and work history.
Your Application Dashboard will show all your colleges and the status of each component of your application. Pick an essay topic, start filling in general information, or ask a teacher for a letter of recommendation. There's no college application task too big or small!
The icons on your Dashboard are there to guide your way. A green check means your work has been submitted to that particular college, a yellow circle means your application is still in progress, and a red dash means that a particular section is not required for admission to that college.
Submit all your application materials by 11:59pm (in your local time zone) on the deadline date posted in your Common App Dashboard.
From In Genius Prep
The Common App activities list is more than a resumé. It is a significant element that provides admissions officers insight into your personality and how you choose to spend your time outside of school. A strategically-written activities list can help distinguish you from your peers. Admissions officers use your extracurricular titles, descriptions, and the duration of your participation to understand what you’re passionate about, whether you’re a hardworking and committed individual, and how your extracurriculars connect to the rest of your application.
Students often have a lot of questions about writing the activities list. Two of the most common questions regarding the component are 1. What kind of activities (besides students’ most obvious extracurriculars) can go on the activities list? And 2. What is the best way to order the activities list? In this new series, we have outlined all of the nitty-gritty details that you need to know about creating an impressive activities list. Using tips from InGenius Prep’s Former Admissions Officers (FAOs) from top schools such as Dartmouth, Georgetown, UChicago, Johns Hopkins, and Duke, we have covered exactly what to include, and how to prioritize all that you’ve done.
While school activities that show long-term involvement, achievement, and leadership definitely have value, it is those activities that are not the usual fare that will stand out even more. So, here are a few options that fall outside the obvious school activity list:
This is hardly an exhaustive list, but there are endless ways to show that you are pushing yourself past the limits of what your school has to offer by pursuing opportunities in the local community and beyond. The idea is to have a strong base of activities to show that you have maximized what you could do at school, but combine those with external activities to show that you are willing to challenge yourself outside that comfort zone.”
- Former Associate Director of Admissions, Georgetown University
“Most impressive activities to me are ones where the student is actively seeking out or creating opportunities that align with their interests and personas. So that could include starting a club or organization (sometimes it is easier to found a non-profit than getting a school to approve your club!). Also look for ways that you can put hobbies and other interests that you are pursuing independently (learning from YouTube videos, Google searches, etc) "on paper" by taking an organized class on them or getting certifications. The other advantage of this is that you don't have as much risk of gaps in knowledge in an area that solely doing your own independent research can create.” - Former Admissions Officer, Top 10 University
“I've had students list funny collections like "500 Lego minifigs, including original designs", the number of books they've read or movies they've seen during high school, if that's part of their story.” - Former Admissions Reader, Ivy League School
“You might not realize that part-time jobs and volunteer experiences also count as valuable activities. You can definitely add them to the activities list and you should - especially if you’ve been involved in them throughout high school, have led projects as part of these endeavors, or if they fit your application persona. Admissions officers appreciate knowing that candidates are responsible individuals who bring experience in a variety of ways.” - InGenius Prep Application Expert
“It's really important that a student helps the admissions officer get a true understanding of their life outside of school. Almost anything can be added in this section, including internships, a part-time job, family responsibilities, or even a hobby that takes up a lot of time. Students should view this section as being "inclusive" of their time outside of school and shouldn't be shy in adding activities that give an AO more information about who they are as a person.” - Former Admissions Officer, Top 10 National University, Top 5 Liberal Arts College
“ One has to always treat each student as a unique individual and the strategy for the activity list will vary depending on the list of activities. The rule of thumb is to start with the largest possible number of activities and whittle them down to the final list. The obvious thing is to start with the most impressive one (achievement, awards, longevity) and move forward having ranked your activities on the same scale.
However, most impressive varies from student to student and one would emphasize the same activity for two students differently based on these factors. Remember, there is probably no right way or wrong way to order the activities but it is always better to shoot the big guns upfront so you capture the attention of the reader quickly. That said, the rest of the list is sometimes overshadowed by the outstanding achievements at the top. So, we are back to square one where it is clear that the order of the activities will vary for each student, with the caveat that we are looking at the attributes mentioned earlier to make those decisions.” - Former Associate Director of Admissions, Georgetown University
“Most impressive first, and generally most impressive is something you've founded, followed by activities you have leadership positions in. But I'd also consider putting activities that best align with your persona and what is in your essays at or near the top. Lastly, if your activities fall into a few general categories, I suggest grouping those together, even if that means that some less impressive activities end up above more impressive ones in a different category.” - Former Admissions Officer, Top 10 National University
“AOs expect you to order them in order of importance to you — the top 5 should be your most important activities. It's good to have activities that show commitment and leadership over time as well.” - Former Admissions Officer, Top 10 National University
“We talk a lot about the importance of the "Application Persona" at InGenius. Basically, the thread and narrative of the entire application. The activities list should reflect that same story. Having the first several activities be connected to your persona will help solidify that idea to the AO and help them better understand the value that you'll bring to their college/university. But as the instructions say, always start with the most important activities at the top. This doesn't mean activity #7-10 are not important, it just means that they likely haven't taken up as much time as the others or may not be connected to your persona.” - Former Admissions Officer, Top 10 National University
“Obviously the most important [activity should go] first. I put weakest as number 9 and try to end with something a little quirky or unexpected.” - Former Admissions Reader, Ivy League University
Hopefully, now you have a clearer understanding of what to include in the activities list and how to go about adding them in order. Watch out for more blogs in this series with the tag “FAO Advice” as we ask our Former Admissions Officers for more tips on admissions behind-the-scenes and FAQs from our students!
Free Resource to help students complete the common application:
Oregon State University has helped develop a free online toolkit to assist students globally in completing college applications. The service launches on Sept. 1. The resource, AXS Companion, was developed in partnership with the Independent Educational Consultants Association and includes videos that walk students step-by-step through the Common Application, which is used by more than 1,000 colleges and universities in 50 states and 20 countries, including Oregon State.
By; David Querusio, Asst. Director, NYU
In the admissions process, proofreading your college essays is essential. Even the smallest grammatical error or incorrect word choice affects how the committee views your writing. That’s why developing strong proofreading habits is necessary. Below, here are some tips and tricks for making proofreading part of your writing routine.
Find a place with zero distractions and read your words aloud, as if practicing a speech. This calls attention to simple errors that otherwise go unnoticed. It also helps you figure out a pacing for your essay. After you read aloud and pinpoint what you need to fix, block out distractions. My strategy? Put my phone on airplane mode and fire up some “lofi beats to relax/study to.”
English teachers are an especially great resource for you as you complete your essays. Guidance counselors are also experts at knowing what colleges are looking for, so ask for their help! Of course, your friends can also give feedback about voice (see our next point) to make sure the essay sounds like you.
This next tip is an important follow-up to the previous one; having people look over your essay is important, but be sure their feedback doesn’t overshadow your own voice. It jars the admissions committee when an essay starts with one writing style and ends in an entirely different tone. Make sure you can be heard throughout the whole essay!
Challenge yourself to capture big ideas in concise statements. The word count is there for a reason. Effective writers can say a lot with a little. Don’t be afraid to cut down on unnecessary extra sentences or adjectives that don’t contribute to the overarching goal of your essay.
There are even a number of apps (some for purchase, some free) that can help guide you through this process—see what other resources you can find!
Keep your writing as active as possible. The admissions committee reviews many, many essays—you want your writing to keep readers invested in what you have to say! Simple shifts from passive to active voice instantly make your writing more sophisticated and engaging.
At the end of the day, the college essay is supposed to be about you. Ask yourself what you want to convey to the committee and make sure that feeling is captured by your writing. What do you want us to take away from you after we finish reading? What excites you? Proofreading with these questions in mind will make your writing much more successful and relatable.
Of course, these tips are just the beginning. The only way to know what proofreading methods work best for you is trial and error—so get writing!
More than one million students apply to college each year using the Common Application. Why? It lets you apply to multiple colleges using one centralized application--and a whole lot more. Here’s a crash course in the Common App.
What is the Common App?
The Common Application is a free application platform accepted by more than 900 colleges and universities in the U.S. and abroad. Over the years, the Common App has evolved from a single form students could use to apply to several colleges into a large college application hub. Students now use the Common App to research colleges, build their college lists, request recommendations, manage deadlines, apply for scholarships, and more.
Where Can You Find the Common App?
Students can access the Common App at commonapp.org, and most colleges accepting it provide links to the application from their websites. Using the Common Application is free. You will, however, have to pay the college’s application fees, although application fee waivers are available through the Common Application for students who qualify.
When Can You Begin Applying with the Common App?
A new version of the Common Application is available every August 1, but you can create an account and start entering your information before that date. If you want to familiarize yourself with the Common App before you start applying to schools (which counselors recommend), you can create a “practice” account, which allows you to access all the features of the platform and complete a practice application without sending it to colleges.
Is there a Common App Essay?
Many, but not all, colleges that accept the Common App require a personal essay. The Common App features seven essay topics from which to choose and announces them in the spring prior to August 1. This is great news if you want to get a summer head start on your essay. (See How to Write Your Common App Essay for tips). You can customize your essay for different colleges and send different versions to different schools.
What about other requirements?
While you only need to create your application and personal essay once for all your colleges, some schools have additional requirements, such as multiple recommendation letters and additional essays. The Common App has some special features that help you keep track of these details and submit materials.
The Common App clearly lists the requirements for every college you are applying to
. As you complete your applications, it parses out any additional questions or writing supplements required and keeps them front-and-center. The application will flag these items if you try to submit your application without them.
The Common App will notify your counselors, teachers and other recommenders
when recommendation letters are due and send them recommendation and grade report forms to complete and return through the platform.
You can submit videos or portfolio pieces
highlighting your skills and outside interests.
A Special App for Transfers
Students transferring from two-year or four-year colleges can use the Common App for Transfer to apply to more than 650 four-year schools. This platform provides and collects forms specific to the transfer application process and customizes the application experience based on a student’s age, goals and degree status.
How to Get Started with the Common App
Because the Common Application has so many features, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the platform long before you start working on your applications. Visit the Common Application's Student Solutions Center for more information and links to video tutorials.
Also, for more information, access CollegeData’s Common Application Guide (below), which shows you all the colleges on CollegeData that accept the Common App, as well as their application deadlines, fees, and the number of essays and recommendations they require.
Take a look at the Common App Guide below to review each college's application deadlines, fees, and requirements.
Use the College Chances Calculator to learn what it takes to get into these colleges.
See How to Write Your Common Application Essay for the current Common Application essay topics and tips for choosing the best topic for you.
What Ambassadors Do? Connect with Each Other Once a month, meet on Zoom for an hour in the evening. Betwee...
