Understanding the Common

Application

Aspiring Scholar Workshops (ASW):12-2

Office of Health Career Pathways

Agenda

• Common App Introduction
• Requirements for Applying
• Account Creation

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OFFICE OF HEALTH CAREER PATHWAYS

Common App

An application for undergraduate admissions

With more than 1,000 Colleges and Universities

Streamlines the college application process, providing resources and guidance to make college more accessible for students around the world

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Launches every August 1st

Mission Statement: Promoting access, equity, and integrity in the college admission process

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Examples Include:

• University of Southern California (USC)
• Pepperdine University
• Stanford University
• Fresno Pacific University

Out of State Examples Include:

• Harvard University (Massachusetts)
• Brown University (Rhode Island)
• University of Oregon

Some universities do have an additional application in addition to submitting the common app, check the requirements prior to applying.

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There are 45 colleges in California that accept the Common App

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Requirements

• Requirements vary
• You can find a grid of the requirements at:
• https://content.commonapp.org/Files/ReqGrid.pdf

• Meet the minimum requirements
• Letter of recommendations
• You may be required to provide additional information

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What You’ll Need for Every Application

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A copy of your high school transcript

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A list of your extracurricular activities both inside and outside of school

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Test scores and test dates from your college entrance exams, if applicable (see specific college requirements)

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SATs, ACTs, SAT Subject Tests

Parent/legal guardian information

Academic Honors and Achievements

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Personal Statement

Privates can have interviews and recommendation letters for admissions depending on school.

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Keep in mind some of them have the common app personal essay, college-specific questions, and writing supplements.

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You have to look into the specifics for each institution.

Private Colleges and Universities

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Personal Essay Basics

• The maximum number of words is 650 words. The minimum is 250.
• 7 questions. You pick 1
• All questions have an equal value
• There is no advantage to answering one question over another.
• There is no significance to the way these questions are ordered.
• Note: many universities will have their own supplemental questions

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• 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 obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
• Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
• Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

Common App Essay Prompts are as follows:

• Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
• Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
• Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

Common App Essay Prompts are as follows:

Purpose of Writing Sections

• GAIN CLARITY
• GIVE CONTEXT
• PROVIDE DEPTH

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Fee Waivers

• Fee waivers are included within the application & there is no limit to the # you can receive

Found in the Profile section of the Common App tab

You qualify if you:

• Received or are eligible to receive an ACT or SAT testing fee waiver
• Enrolled in or eligible to participate in the federal free or reduced-price lunch program (FRPL)
• Receive public assistance (Medi-Cal, CalWorks, CalFresh, etc.)
• Live in federally subsidized public housing, a foster home, or are homeless.
• Are a ward of the state or an orphan

Deadlines

Deadlines to keep in mind:

• Early Decision= 11/1/23 (binding commitment)
• Early Action = 11/1 & 11/15 and 12/1 (non-binding commitment)
• Regular Decision/Admission = 1/1, 2/1, & 2/15
• (some schools enroll on a rolling basis)

*Remember that if you apply and get accepted to an out of state university, you may have to pay out of state tuition which can be nearly double. However, there may be additional financial assistance to cover the cost.

Deadlines will vary according to school; check with your institution.

STEP 1: CREATE YOUR ACCOUNT

STEP 2: ADD SCHOOLS TO YOUR LIST

STEP 3: UNDERSTAND YOUR SCHOOL’S SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

Common Application

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What have you learned so far?

What resonated with you?

What questions might you still have up to this point?

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Good Luck DA Seniors!

Your DA Family is rooting for you!

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OFFICE OF HEALTH CAREER PATHWAYS