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The beauty of the common app is that you only have one application to fill out, while completing the member questions for said colleges. After you have done the research for your desired college and you discover they are a Common App Member, then begins the journey of filling out the application. A quick sidebar- the Common App only has 600 member schools, so your desired school may not be on the common app; therefore, you would have to do a separate application.

 

  • After the research is done, you go to the common app website (commonapp.org) and register as a student.

  • Your  username will be an emailaddress that you will use for college, and then create a password that is unique to you. WRITE IT DOWN to avoid forgetting it.

  • After you have created your login information, you will go to the college search page to look for your designated college. Once you have found the colleges, go to the common app tab and begin to fill out the application.

  • The final question for the profile page regards fee waivers; ask your counselor if you qualify for a fee waiver.

  • There are five sample essay prompts. Below are the 2015-2016 prompts.

  • Some Students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

  • The lessons we take from failure ca be fundamental to later success. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

  • Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?

  • Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma- anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.

  • Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.

Common App

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