THE COMMON APP
1
2
What is the Common App?
THE COMMON APP:�1. MAKING AN ACCOUNT
https://www.commonapp.org/
3
4
Click “create an account” to get started.
5
Select “First Year Student,” then create an account.
6
7
Answer “NO” to the question about if you are currently based in a European Union country.�
Check the box that says you agree to the terms and click “Create Application!”
That’s it!
You now have a
Common App
Account - Sign in!
8
9
Here’s your account! 😃
10
THE COMMON APP:�2. COMPLETING THE COMMON APP
Important “Don'ts”
DON’T: Complete the Courses and Grades section at the bottom of the Common App. It is OPTIONAL unless you are applying to some very specific schools. DO NOT COMPLETE, unless you are applying to one of those schools. ��DON’T: Absolutely do NOT request your teacher or counselor recommendations on the Common App. We do this ONLY through Naviance.
DON’T: Include your test scores (SAT or ACT) under the “Testing” section before checking with the Future Pathways office.
11
OK, Ready?!
Here’s a little intro to the Common App first...
12
13
There are 6 sections:�
14
On the far right, you’ll see two main sections…
Now, we’re going to get started! �
We’ll start with the EDUCATION section, even though it’s not first, because it is extremely important you follow the NyICE specific directions!
15
Education
Current or Most recent secondary/high school - select “Find School” and “Institute for Collaborative Education by name” by name or CEEB Code. �Our CEEB code is 333672..
16
IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES FROM NyICE FOR THIS WHOLE SECTION!!!!!!!!
Education: �Current or Most recent secondary/�high school
17
Education: �Other Secondary/ High Schools
18
If you have attended NYICE for all of high school, select “0” then “Continue”.��
If you transferred to NYICE from another high school, complete the “Other Secondary/High School” section. We recommend that you use the space provided to add details about your transfer process.
�
Education: �Colleges & Universities �
Use this section to report any College Now classes you’ve taken OR other college credit classes (ex: summer college programs).
At the top, select the # of colleges you’ve taken classes at. If you’ve only taken College Now at one university - even if you’ve taken multiple classes - then select 1).�
Then, use the search tool to add by name of the college.
�
19
Education: �Colleges & Universities
If you attended another pre-college program where you took a college course for credit (usually intensive courses where you received an official college transcript with a grade for completing the program), add and select “credit awarded directly by college”. If you took a summer program that did not award credit, select “summer program”.�
�
20
Education: �Grades
21
22
Education: �Current Courses
23
Education: �Current Courses
Course Subject Area | History/�Social Studies | English | Math (Other) | Physics | Depending on Elective - “Art” or “Elective/Other” | Psychical Education/�Health | Elective/�Other |
Course Name | 12th Grade History: Government | 12th Grade Literature | Discrete Math | Physics | Name of Your Elective (ex: Art, Songwriting, etc.) | 12th Grade Gym | Internship |
Course Level | Honors | Honors | Honors | Honors | Regular/�Standard | Regular/�Standard | Honors |
Course Schedule | First Semester | First Semester | First Semester | First Semester | First Semester | First Semester | Second Semester |
If you are taking CALCULUS in the spring, include it!
24
Education: �Honors
List any academic Honors or Achievements. At NYICE, we don’t give out many awards + we make it clear in our school profile. Usually, students don’t have anything to add here! Here are some examples of awards NYICE students may have:
25
Under Community Based Organizations click “0” unless you participate in a college support organization outside of school (e.g. Options, OppNet, TRIO/Upward Bound, SEO, Henry Street Settlement etc.)
Under Future Plans, this is a good way to share more about your future goals. I would recommend that you choose one of the choices, even if you are not positive that’s what you’re interested in. If there is nothing remotely interesting to you you can put “undecided”, too.
Ideally, your future plan should align with the major you are intending to pursue and/or your interests voiced in your application.
Education: �Community Based Organization + Future Plans
PAUSE!!!�
If you already matched to your Naviance account, go ahead to the PROFILE section (next slide)
If you haven’t yet, skip to SLIDE 31 to match with Naviance and Waive FERPA.
26
Remember…
27
Any items with a * are required, but you can always go back and add, change, or update information later until you actually submit your Common App.�
While it’s helpful to include as much information as possible in your application about yourself & your background, if a question is not starred it’s not required. If you feel uncomfortable answering or don’t have the information, you do not need to complete it.
PROFILE
Personal Info, Address, Contact, Demographics
28
PROFILE
Language, Geography + Nationality
�
29
PROFILE
Common App Fee Waiver
�
30
If you qualify financially, you may be eligible for receive a fee waiver to submit your Common App for free to all schools.
In order for the fee waiver to process, I (Molly) must approve it. I verify fee waivers based on eligibility for Free & Reduced Lunch. You must have your lunch form completed for the 2026-2027 school year: https://www.myschoolapps.com/
FAMILY�Household, Parent 1 + 2�
For this section they ask lots of specific questions about your parents/guardians. You’ll definitely have to ask your family some questions. Remember, only * are required
If you live with and/or are in touch with both parents, add them both. If you are not in touch with one (or both) parents, select “I have limited information about this parent” or “I do not have another parent”. This will allow you to not enter as much detailed information about that parent.��
�
31
FAMILY
Parent 1 + 2
In this section, it will ask you a lot of detailed information about your parents’ work + education. I recommend doing it with a parent!
32
The goal of the family section is to get a better understanding of you and your life. Make decisions to include information that feels best reflects your home (e.g. if you want to include half-siblings, step-siblings under siblings or no is up to you)�
33
FAMILY�Sibling
TESTING
34
TESTING
AP Testing �(for AP Spanish Students)
Use this section to report your score! �Any score a 3 or above I would recommend reporting.
35
ACTIVITIES
�The Activities List is a very important part of the Common App, which provides context for everything you do beyond your high school classes. Dedicate time to do it right, using the template we made in Future Bound.
REMEMBER: It is NOT just formal activities or school clubs. Can also include on-your-own activities (e.g. playing music on your own), jobs, or responsibilities at home. You can include up to 10 items on the list, but do not feel like you NEED to include 10.
36
OPEN UP AND USE THE DOC WE DID IN FUTURE BOUND!!!!
ACTIVITES: Tips + Tricks
37
USE THE ARROWS TO MOVE ITEMS UP + DOWN
ACTIVITIE: 🔗 Resources + Samples
38
39
ACTIVITIES
Check any and all boxes that apply to you!
WRITING
40
Personal Essay. This is where you add your College Essay/Personal Statement, which you should have written in a separate document and spent LOTS of time editing. Remember, you also need to select one prompt that it responds to. After you copy and paste it in, make sure to check grammar and spacing. Click “PREVIEW” in the upper right hand corner. You have 650 words. It will cut you off.
Additional Information. This is an area where you can explain extenuating circumstances that may need explaining – such as personal of health issues that impacted grades. Some students also use this section to elaborate or include activities or accomplishments they didn’t have enough room for. Whatever you do, keep it short! You have only 300 words.
41
Before you submit, read very carefully for grammar and spelling AND have someone you trust review it. You can preview each section by clicking “Preview” in the upper right hand!
That’s it for the main Common App!��
Next, you need to complete questions that are specific for EACH college you are applying to…
42
43
THE COMMON APP:�3. ADDING COLLEGES + COLLEGE SPECIFIC Qs
44
Click on “My Colleges” (the grad hat icon) and then “Overview”
Then “+ Add a College” to search and add schools�to you Common App
45
Use the “College or City Name” search option, then click the blue “+Add” button.��Remember you will have to spell out the colleges full name, not use abbreviations.
46
To see a college’s specific questions, click the little arrow ( “ v ” ), then it will show a dropdown menu with questions specific to that college.
47
The college will ask you their own set of required questions, such as what major you want to do at the school, screening questions for scholarship or program eligibility, etc.
This is also where you will usually find Supplemental Essay Questions. Make sure you scroll through and complete ALL the questions. Remember that these supplements are a crucial element of your application –you need to do your research about the school, show why it is a good fit for you and why YOU are a good fit for them.
48
When all the sections are done and checked off with a green check mark ✅ you can click “Review & Submit” to submit the application!
49
THE COMMON APP:�3. MATCHING TO NAVIANCE & WAIVING FERPA
What is FERPA? Why do I need to waive FERPA?
FERPA is a law which gives you, the student, rights to access your academic records.
When you apply to college through the Common App, it is CRUCIAL that you waive your FERPA rights -- essentially, waiving your rights to see your counselor & teacher recommendations. This is a common practice & is expected for all students.
This isn’t because your recommenders are writing bad things, but because of how it will be perceived by the colleges. If you do not waive your rights, admissions committees will question whether your recommendation letters are genuine and a true reflection of you. They want to know that your teachers and counselors are writing the most truthful recommendations. As your counselor, I will not submit a recommendation letter if your FERPA rights aren’t waived.
50
51
Click on “My Colleges” (the grad hat icon) and then “Overview”
Then “+ Add a College” to search and add schools�to you Common App
If you haven’t yet, add at least one college.
52
After you’ve added a college, click on “My Colleges”.
53
Click on ANY college name – doesn’t matter - on the left hand side, then select “Recommendations and FERPA”, then “Release Authorization”.
54
Read the bullets, then check the box that says “I have fully read and understand the FERPA Release Authorization explanation”
55
You’ll see this screen.
56
Select “I waive my right to review all recommendations & supporting documents”
Check the box that says you understand it will be applied to all colleges
57
Type your full name and today’s date
Then click save & close!
DO NOT ADD COUNSELOR OR TEACHERS HERE�!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!�
58
X
X
If you have an outside recommender, add it under “Other Recommender”.
It will send them an email invitation to upload your letter.
59
YOU CAN ADD ME AS AN “ADVISOR”�
60
molly@iceedcucate.org
Make sure to reload and select “enable preview”
Now, to match your Naviance and Common app accounts, you will need to log in to your Naviance account.
Direct link: https://student.naviance.com/ice
61
62
Click on “Colleges” → “Colleges I’m Applying To”
63
You’ll see this!
Select “Match Account” to get started…
64
A pop-up will open to this page.
Log in to your Common App account.
Select “I agree”, then “Connect”. It will then redirect you back to Naviance.
65
66
Yay! Now you’ll see any colleges from your Common App on your Naviance!