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What is the Common App?

One web based application to send to several schools.

Linked on Naviance, or use a search engine to access site

Can save your student time.

Only have to fill out certain information once:

Demographics, parent information, standardized test scores, GPA, extracurricular activities

May want to use the Common App if your student has two or more schools that participate.

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Tips

Some schools have the option for students to use the Common App or their own app. There is no benefit to choosing one over the other.

Other schools only use the Common App.

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Common app Colorado Schools (14)

Colorado College
Colorado Mesa University
Colorado School of Mines
Colorado State University
Fort Lewis College
MSU Denver
Naropa University
Regis University

University of Colorado Boulder
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
University of Colorado Denver
University of Denver
University of Northern Colorado
Western Colorado University

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Getting Started

Your email address will be your username and Common App’s primary method of communication. Be sure to use an email address you check regularly. You can create an account at any time. Common app will roll it over to the following school year.

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Gather Materials pdf

High School Details Information Sheet pdf

897641

Log into Infinite Campus and select “Documents” from the menu on the left, then click Transcript”

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Add Colleges

College Search (DC students primarily use Naviance)
On the dashboard you can keep track of deadlines and other requirements all in one place.

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Understand your schools specific requirements.

Some schools want additional or different information.
For instance, some schools don’t require an essay, or only want your highest SAT score.
Other schools may want more information and will require you to write an additional essay or answer specific questions, these are called SUPPLEMENTS.
RESOURCES from Common App:

Helpful resources

Direct Admissions with Common App

Live colleges

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Understand your schools specific requirements

Requirements are displayed on the dashboard.

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Access details

Download your colleges’ specific requirements.

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�Forbes – �Investing, 2015:

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If need be you can edit this before each submission to tailor it to your schools.

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The Essay

Common App essay goes to all of your schools.
650 word Max

Application readers won’t necessarily check which prompt is being addressed before reading an essay; they will just read it! In other words, the prompt a student chooses isn’t terribly significant.

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TIP: Type your essay in a word document

Copy and paste into the common app
Save frequently - common app is supposed to update every 90 seconds

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Sign your FERPA waiver on the Common App

Allows the counseling office to send information to your colleges (transcript, letters of recommendation etc.)
Also waives your right to see letters of recommendation. Makes the letters authentic. Recommended that student waiver their rights.
Only need to do this once.

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Integrate the Common App with Naviance:

In Naviance Student, go to the Colleges I’m applying to tab.

Only have to match accounts once.

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Final Steps

Review application, pay and submit

Fee waivers

available for

qualifying

students

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Requesting transcripts and adding recommenders.

VALE uses Naviance edocs to send school documents to schools.
Request your transcripts through Naviance Student:

If you are able to do this through Common App, you’ve entered the wrong high school
Must check “I have submitted my application” in Naviance Student for documents to be sent

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Indicate “Applying via Common App”

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After requesting a transcript:

Teachers will upload their letters to Naviance
Letters will be sent with your transcripts

TIP: Naviance doesn’t allow more than what is asked for to be sent

Contact your recommenders if you’d like them to indicate where their letters should be sent. They will indicate this through Naviance.

Common App School Reports, Mid Year and Final transcripts will also be sent automatically. You don’t have to request this separately through the common app.

Please talk with your counselor if you would like them to write a written evaluation before you request your transcript. A written evaluation is required for some schools.

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