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Understanding the Common Application

The NHHEAF Network Organizations’

Center for College Planning

888.7.GRADUATE x119

collegeplanning@nhheaf.org

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What Is The Common App?

Not-for-profit organization
Provides an admission application students can submit to any of the 600 member institutions
Serves students and member institutions who agree to make admissions decisions based on a review of the “whole student”

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Why Use the Common App?

Complete one online or paper application to send to many schools
More time can be spent focusing on visiting colleges, writing essays, doing homework, participating in extracurricular activities or completing scholarship applications
Sending forms (ie. transcript, letters of recommendation) is more streamlined
It keeps track of which sections you have completed and which ones are pending

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Which Colleges Participate?

Roughly 600 colleges and universities, including a few international schools
NH Colleges Using the Common App

Colby-Sawyer College* Dartmouth College*

Franklin Pierce University Keene State College*

New England College Plymouth State University

Rivier University Saint Anselm College* Southern NH University University of NH*

* These colleges only accept the Common App and do not offer their own college application form.

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Common App vs. College’s Own Form

Supported by all member institutions
Equal consideration given to Common App and school’s own form
Only available application for many colleges and universities

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How Do I Get Started?

Register online at www.commonapp.org
Remember to declare yourself a “first-year” student
Create a professional email account for all college correspondence
Remember the email address used and password created

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Already Have a Common App Account?

If you created a Common App account prior to August 1, 2016, you can transfer your information into the current form
Series of 4 screens of information you must answer
Must choose if you are a student, school counselor or parent

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Common App

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Searching for Colleges

Multiple states
Distance from home
Application deadline
Accepts transfer

applications

Term applying for

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My Colleges

Track your progress on the application
Check the deadline for admission at each of your schools
Assign recommenders for each college
View and answer questions asked by each college

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Completing the

Common Application

Section by Section

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Profile

Personal information
Address
Phone/Email
Demographics
Country of birth
Languages spoken
Citizenship
Fee waiver
Scholarship Information

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Fee Waiver

Answer yes to fee waiver question to see requirements
If student qualifies, he/she receives unlimited college application fee waivers through Common App

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Family

Read questions carefully and answer completely
Complete questions about both parents, even if they are divorced
Ability to add information about step-parents
Choose the appropriate parent for where you make your permanent home

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Education and Testing

High school information
School counselor
College coursework
GPA, class rank and honors
Self-report multiple test scores
Future plans
Preview your app to be sure responses fit

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Activities

Provide up to 10 activities in order of importance
List extracurricular activities and work experience
Provide details and accomplishments (i.e. varsity letter, captain of team, officer in club, etc.)
Not all colleges accept resumes

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Writing

250 – 650 word essay
Must cut and paste essay or write directly in the space provided
Word count feature
Formatting carries over
Space for additional information up to 650 words

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Completing the

College Specific Applications

Section by Section

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General Information

Preferred start term
Type of admissions
Preferred residence option
Interested in need-based financial aid
Intention to apply for merit-based scholarships
Art supplement

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Academics

Choose the major
Undeclared is an option

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Activities

Choose up to 5 activities that you’re interested in
Only offers choices available at that college
List in order of preference

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Contacts and Family

List how you heard about the college
Answer if any siblings are applying as well

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Residency

Asks if student applying to a public college
Answer if you believe you qualify for in-state tuition
If yes, questions regarding parents/legal guardians appear

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Supplements

School specific questions
Every college has the option to choose which questions, if any, to ask
Must complete in order to submit application to the college

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School Forms

Read release authorization carefully
If you do not waive your right to access letters of recommendation, some teachers may not wish to send them and some colleges may disregard letters submitted on your behalf

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School Forms

Invite your school counselor and teachers to submit school report form
If your school uses Naviance edocs, that will be indicated here
Check with your school counselor about the procedure at your high school

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Payment

Click on each individual college to pay your application fee
Payment methods vary from institution to institution
Possible methods of payment

Online credit card or echeck
Fee waiver request

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Tips

Cannot change your responses on an application once it has been submitted
Can create a second version to send to additional schools
The Application, Payment, and Supplement submissions are three distinct processes
There may be additional forms required
Preview your application BEFORE submission

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Help is Available

If experiencing technical difficulties, or need your username or password reset, contact Common App directly through their Help Center
In the Help Center, families can view FAQ’s or submit their own question, answered by email
Cannot contact Common App via phone
Call the Admission Office at the individual college for questions specific to their application and supplements
Call the Center for College Planning for general Common App questions

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Questions?��www.nhheaf.org�Center for College Planning�1.888.7.GRADUATE X119�collegeplanning@nhheaf.org�