A more accurate headline would be the pros and “con” of the Common Application because the only real negative is that it is too easy to apply to too many colleges when preparing and submitting the Common Application.
The Common Application (www.commonapp.org), commonly referred to as the Common App, is a single online application that is used by over 400 colleges to streamline the admissions process for students as well as colleges. Using the Common Application allows students to spend their time crafting their essays rather than filling in the same information (demographics, family data, high school courses and activities) on multiple applications. Other common forms that colleges require are also available on the site such as: School Reports, Midyear Reports, Teacher Evaluations and Final Report forms. Using the Common Application is free but students must pay each college’s application fee or secure an application fee waiver. Part of the ease of the Common Application is that students can start their application, save their work and come back to make revisions and additions as often as they like. If two or more colleges on a student’s list are participating schools, then it makes sense to use the Common Application.
The Common Application requires an Activity Essay of not more than 150 words and a 250 word minimum (most recommend around 500 words) Personal Statement/Essay. The essay prompts are intentionally non-specific, giving the student the opportunity to share their personal insights and perspectives. Here are the 2010-2011 long essay prompts:
1. Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you
2. Discuss some issue of personal, local, national, or international concern and its importance to you.
3. Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence.
4. Describe a character in fiction, a historical figure, or a creative work (as in art, music, science, etc.) that has had an influence on you and explain that influence.
5. A range of academic interests, personal perspectives, and life experiences adds much to the educational mix. Given your personal background, describe an experience that illustrates what you would bring to the diversity ina college community or an encounter that demonstrated the importance of diversity to you.
6. Topic of choice.
Many Common Application member colleges also require students to submit institution-specific Supplements with either short answer questions and/or additional essays. Be aware that the Supplements are NOT optional. That means that if a student submits the Common Application form and general essays without the Supplement, if a school has one, their application will be viewed as incomplete and will not be reviewed.
According to The Common Application, the 2010-11 application went live just before midnight on August 1 and within 24 hours, nearly 25,000 individuals had registered an account and 98 applications had been submitted.
MORE INFORMATION – ON MY BOOKSHELF
“Don’t Stalk the Admissions Officer: How To Survive the College Admissions Process Without Losing Your Mind”, Risa Lewak, $13.99
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Bierer is an independent college adviser based in Charlotte. Send questions to: lee@collegeadmissionsstrategies.com
