How to apply to colleges using the Common

How to apply to colleges using the Common Application

What is the Common Application?

Common Application Online college application used by over 750 colleges and universities. Fill out one application and send to several schools on your list. Common Application is “free”, HOWEVER, each school may charge an application fee to send your application to them. Here is a list of school’s that use the Common Application

New Hampshire Schools on the Common Application Colby-Sawyer College Dartmouth Franklin Pierce University Keene State College New England College Rivier University Saint Anselm College Southern NH University of NH Plymouth State University Panther Application on the PSU website is free.

How to Apply…

How to Apply 1. Click: How To Apply 2. Click: Create your Account

How to Apply… 3. Select: Student 4. Click Continue

How to Apply 5. Fill out Email Address & Password *WRITE DOWN YOUR PASSWORD and keep it handy 6. Click Continue

How to Apply… 7. Fill out Credential Information 8. Click Create

YOU’RE IN!!

Adding schools to your Common Applications… 9. Click on the College search tab

College Search 10. Search for schools on your list that use the Common Application

Adding schools to your application… 11. Select the school you wish to add to your application and then click Add

My Colleges added to your application will appear under the My Colleges tab

Keep track of application deadlines and fees

Filling out the Common App The common or main portion of the Common application is located under the Common App Tab

There are 6 sections in the Common App that need to be filled out completely. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Profile Family Education Testing Activities Writing Common App

1. Profile Hints: Learn your Social Security Number If you are eligible for free or reduced lunch you will be eligible for Application Fee Waivers!

2. Family Hints You will need to know this information on your parent(s) Occupation Name of Employer High Level of Education Where and when a degree was earned Name and Address

Hints: 3. Education You may want to schedule an appointment with your school counselor to fill in this section. This section requires you know: Your rank and GPA Honors you’ve been awarded

4. Testing Hints: You will need access to your SAT and AP scores Your school counselor can help you with this

5. Activities Hints You will need to list any sports, extracurricular groups, community service, or employment that you have participated in during high school. There is a limit so choose the most meaningful to you

6. Writing Hints Some schools will require an essay and some may not Have your senior English teacher proofread your essay There are 7 essay prompts… the first one is selected by most students… shake it up and answer a different one.

Answer school specific questions… Each school you have added to the Common Application is going to ask you specific questions and/or may require additional writing

General Questions Will include: The term you plan on starting school Financial Aid Questions Academic Programming

Recommenders and FERPA You will need to complete a release in order for your school counselor and other recommenders to submit information on your behalf.

FERPA The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act Is a federal law that protects your academic and educational information In order for a college to accept your letters of recommendation you will need to waive your rights to those letters Your school counselor can explain this process more fully during your meetings with them

Recommenders Most colleges are looking for 1 recommendation from your high school counselor It is not advised to send more than what is required Ask teacher(s)/ counselor ahead of time if they are willing to write you a letter Provide your recommender with a completed Brag Sheet (found in the Counseling Center) Recommenders should be give a 1 -2 week period to write your letter.

Review and Submit Once you have completed your application: Review the preview and make sure all information is accurate and complete Make sure you have a credit or debit card available to pay any application fees Things to remember Once you submit your application there is no way to change it It is advised that you schedule a meeting with your school counselor prior to submitting your application to insure it is complete and accurate