The Common ApplicationWorkshop

October 29, 2008

What is The Common Application?

An admissions application used by over 300 private colleges and universities

An online application that can be sent to numerous colleges at one time

Visit the website to check if your college accepts the Common App

Visit the Websitewww.commonapp.org

Search for participating colleges and universities

Search for Colleges

Search by State

Tip: If you hold down the Ctrl

button you can select more

than one statePress the Search

button to list eligible schools

List of eligible colleges

Click on the name of school for

more information. If you want to

apply, check the ‘select’ box

Hit the ‘Add’ button when you have

selected all schools

Compare multiple schools

College Information

Create an account

Create a New Account or Log In to your existing account

Enter Personal Information

Select ‘First-Year’ Student

Enter Personal Information

Create Username & Password

Make sure to write down

your username and password so

you don’t forget!

My CollegesList of colleges you

have selected

Status of your

application for each college

Instructions

Application Versions

Access this information on the Instructions page

You can create slightly different versions for up to

10 Colleges

Common Application

Instructions for how to begin your

Common Application

Future Plans

Indicate Early

Action or Regular Decision

Choose Major and

possible career plans

Future Plans Cont.

You must fill out

this screen

for each college you are applying

to

Personal Data

Your Personal Information

will automatically

appear.

Enter Citizenship status

Optional Info

Save & Next

Address Information

Your address will

automatically appear

Verify that the

information is correct

Save & Next

Family

Enter Parent/ Guardian and

Sibling Information

Family Cont.

You will need your parent’s college info

Academics

Enter CEEB code:

052986

Date of Entry: 08/2005

You will need your

counselor’s contact

info: Name, Phone,

Fax, Email

Academics Cont.

Check box if you attended another high school and add CEEB code

Academics Cont.

List all colleges/universities at which you have taken courses for credit. You will put the name of the course and the grade you

received in the “Additional Comments” section later in the application.

**Remember to send an official transcript from each college.

Academics Cont.

Enter all current 12th

grade coursework,

including electives. Do not enter Off

Roll.

Note: Sequence of AP classes

Academics Cont.

Enter Academic

distinctions or Honors

received since 9th grade

Standardized Tests

Enter ACT, SAT

Reasoning, and SAT Subject

Test Scores

Enter date if you are registered for

October or November

Standardized Tests Cont.

Enter AP Test date, Subject and Score

Activities

Extracurricular Activities:

Sports, Music, Clubs,

Community Service

**List activities in order of their

interest to you

Activities Cont.

List any Paid jobs you have

held during the past 3 years.

If still employed, leave the ‘To Date’ empty.

Writing

Use this space to elaborate on one activity or work experience in

150 words or less

Personal Essay Section

Writing Cont.Write your essay on a topic of your choice or on one of the options provided:

Indicate which option

you have chosen

Write your essay in a

word document and

upload it

Writing Sample Questions

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.

Writing Sample Questions . . .

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.

Writing Sample Questions . . .

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 in a college community, or an encounter that demonstrated the importance of diversity to you.

6. Topic of your choice.

Writing Cont.

Include any additional

information that may

significantly impact your application Enter college coursework

already completed

Preview

Use the “Quick Print” link to preview the application and check for

errors

**This link is available on

each section of the application

except the ‘Submit’ section

Preview

A screen will pop up with

your information populated in

each section.

Preview EVERY

section to check for errors!

Sign & Submit

You may choose to

submit your application to one or

more Institutions at a time.

Select Print Preview to

view incomplete

information.

Sign & Submit

When you are ready, Sign

your name & Submit!!!

Sign & Submit Cont.

No changes after you submit!!!

You may add additional colleges after you initially submit

Do not print the Online Application and mail it

Supplements

If the school requires a

Supplement to the

application, it will be listed on

this page. Check each school you are applying to.

Payment

View each college for information about payment. Most colleges will let

you pay online.

School Forms

Check each college to see which forms they require.

Print out the forms from this link.

Some counselors/teachers will submit these forms electronically.

School Forms Cont.

Westview can now submit these forms directly to the college through Family Connection.

If you haven’t signed up for an account, see your counselor ASAP.

Set up a meeting with your counselor to review which forms are required for each school.

Letters of Recommendation

Request a letter from your counselor and/or teacher(s) at least 2-3 weeks before the due date!

Find out if forms can be submitted online.

If not, bring stamped envelopes to the meeting with your counselor and/or teacher.

Letter of Recommendation

Brag Sheet or ResumePermission to Release School Info

You must have a hard copy on file with your counselor

Parent ProfileStudent Self-PortraitTeacher Input Forms

Give to 3 teachers and have them return it to your counselor

Optional: Westview College Info

Letter of Recommendation

Sign in to Family

Connection and open Document

Library

Open Letter of Rec link

Letter of Rec. Cont . . .

Fill out forms and bring them to the meeting with your counselor and/or teachers.

Letter of Rec. Cont . . .

Go to My

Colleges link to track your

Letters of Rec

Add or Cancel Requests

DO NOT use this as your initial request for a letter. Talk to teacher first!

Important!!!

Submit Application Online = Submit Supplements Online

Submit Application on Paper = Submit Supplements on Paper

Remember . . .

Check deadlines!

Review ED, EA, and REA options

Request a meeting with your counselor and/or teachers for Letters of Rec.

Submit test results and transcripts directly to each college

Thank you for attending!