Common Application
Guide
What is the Common Application?
Go to: https://www.commonapp.org
Creating an application for the first time:
Signing back in:
Creating a new application
Click here
Save your password somewhere safe so you remember it! Make sure to follow all the password requirements!
Click “+1”
Please use the name that appears on your legal documents (birth certificate)
Add your home address
Click here
Click here
Click here
Click here
Write your name as it appears on your legal documents
When you successfully complete a section, you will see a green checkmark
If where you are living now is DIFFERENT from your permanent address, please put where you are currently living here so you can receive mail from colleges
Click “+1” for the US country code
Make sure you have green checkmarks for both the previous sections
This question is based on self-identity.
This question is based on what is on your legal documents.
English counts, please choose “1” if you only know English
Click each skill you have in the language
Optional Question
Optional Question
Optional Question
Necessary: Please ask for support if confused.
Check in with your counselor if you are unsure if you qualify.
Most iMentor students do qualify!
Sign your name
Make sure all the previous sections have green checkmarks!
Who do you live with?
Fill this out if you want your guardian to have access to your application information.
Ask your parent/guardian for the answer to this one or take your best guess.
Optional question, leave blank if you do not know the answer
Most will choose “no change in progress.”
Read over all the options carefully.
When did you start at the school?
Use the button to look up your high school name.
If you transferred high schools, please list all the other schools you have attended
Put “0” if you have never transferred high schools
AP courses do not count! The only courses that count are ones taken through a college program!
You can just click “0,” if this question does not apply to you.
Your college counselor will share this information with you.
Please reach out to them if they have not.
Ensure all of the previous sections have green checkmarks.
Please add ALL the classes that you are taking right now (count them out)
Please make sure to choose the level of each class. Ask your teachers for help if you are unsure.
Things that count:
- Student of the marking period/semester
When did you get this award/honor?
Most awards will be given at a school level
Things that count:
- Student of the marking period/semester
Include mentorship here
Your program manager’s information goes here
If you are unsure, you can choose ”undecided”
Most students answer “no”
SAT scores are optional for many schools, check in with your counselor to see if you should add your scores.
You can also share AP exam scores here. You should add your AP scores if you earned a 3 or above on the exam!
Adding your extracurriculars is very important, please click “yes”
Your title
Examples: “volunteer, mentee, quarterback”
Check ALL the years in which you participated in the activity
Check ALL the times that apply
Describe the activity, for example:
(iMentor)�I meet monthly with my mentor to work on college access assignments. I work on developing my professional skill set and setting goals for myself.
You can give an estimate here
Make sure to add ALL your activities such as:
Click here
Make sure to choose the correct prompt for your essay!
This option lets you write about anything you want!
You can check how many words you have written so far right here!
Copy and paste your essay into this text box. Make sure it is under 650 words or your essay will get cut off!
If you have any special circumstances you want to address, this is where you should do so!
Ensure that all of your previous sections have green checkmarks!
Click here
You will have to type in and select each college
Add EVERY college you would like to apply to
Then, when you have found the school, click “add”
Go back to the “Common App” tab
Check to see if any of the colleges you are applying to require you to input your current school grades
Each school will have school specific questions
Some schools might have an extra essay that you are required to write
Each school will have a different due date – pay attention to this
Your application will not be accepted after this date!!!!
Click here once you have added all of your schools
This is an example of the questions they might ask. It will be different for each school!
Things to keep in mind:
You MUST complete the release authorization!
Click here
Click here
Click here
Click here
Sign your name
Add your counselor’s information
Add the 2 teachers you have chosen as recommenders
People who you can consider adding:
Click here
You will have to submit each college application separately!
When you have completed each section of your application, AND your program manager has check it over, you can submit!
Read over the information CAREFULLY to make sure it is all correct! Then, click on “continue.”
Here you will either be asked to pay the application fee or it will be waived.
Check all of the boxes, sign your name and provide today’s date.
You will know your submission went through when you reach this page!
Remember, you must submit INDIVIDUALLY for each school, one by one
Reach out to your program manager if you have any questions