Making The Common App Work For You

Let’s face it, the Common Application can be well, common, maybe even a little boring.

But as the platform for admissions decisions, it’s the job of every student to make that Common App work for you. How? Overturn each checkbox and word count to shine light on your strengths and personal qualities that tell a fuller story of who you are and how an admissions reader can envision your contributions on their campus.

Here are 3 must know strategies:

Activities

Outside of your writing, the Activities List is the powerhouse of the Common Application.

It might seem like 10 entries with 150 character counts don’t amount to much, but the Activities List gives you a powerful tool in telling the story of how you’ve spent your time outside of the school day. How?

  • Be concise & precise in your word choice. Not full sentences, just power packed phrases; use every character.
  • Focus on the verbs: Highlight the actions you take/took as part of this activity. Seek to vary the verbs you use to convey specific contributions and actions.

> Values & impact are the key: Each activity description should take advantage of opportunities to showcase:

> Your values or personal qualities

> Your leadership, initiative, contribution & commitmentYour impact: Why does it matter that you did this activity? Who was impacted? How? Include quantitative elements where appropriate (number of participants, dollars raised, etc.)

  • Order Matters: What you put up front stands out the most. Lead with your strengths, leadership, involvement and perhaps something unexpected that shows your range of interests and experiences.

Optional Questions

  • Colleges ask you to respond to various essay prompts, questions, and short answers in their college-specific sections of the Common App. Sometimes these are optional.
    Always answer the optional questions.

> One way an admissions reader can assess your interest and investment in a college is by the decision to respond to an optional prompt, and the care that you put into a thoughtful response.

> Leaving a question unanswered, or doing so in a hurried, careless or generic way will not make a good impression and misses the opportunity to bring additional facets of your identity, experiences, values, and vision to the application.

  • Many of these questions are framed around the colleges themselves – why do you want to attend here? Think of this instead as an opportunity to communicate more about your vision – what you will do with your education from that college – and then share the specific evidence and examples of how you will engage as a member of the college community showcasing the specific resources and opportunities you will leverage to grow towards this vision.

Preview!

  • Preview your application: Each section of the Common App has a “Preview” button at the top right of your screen. Use it! This enables you to see exactly how the text you enter and boxes you check will appear to your admissions reader. This is crucial! You would be surprised how many students submit an application without carefully checking every detail.

> You want to know that your information is accurate and error free, and that it looks good. No weird formatting, typos, or anything else that will distract your reader from your message.

> Before submitting, be sure to carefully review every detail of each college’s application using the preview generated when you click “Review & Submit.” This is your opportunity to ensure that everything appears exactly as you intend prior to submission.

Interested in learning many more strategies for upleveling your Common App?

Join our Expert Advisors:

Common App Q&A Workshop

This is a chance to ask your questions & engage directly with seasoned college admissionS professional to learn our insights, tips, and approaches!

Sunday September 26th

5 p.m. MT

Join us here!

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