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Cracking the College App

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College Application 101

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Today’s Learning Objectives

  • Understand the different types of college applications.
  • Become familiar with the Common Application and Coalition Application.
  • Recognize the resources available to help students navigate each application.

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Warm Up Question

What words come to mind when you think of “college applications?”

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Share your thoughts on your activity sheet.

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Revisit College Bound Checklist

What have I already completed?

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Questions?

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Comparing & Contrasting College Applications

  • Type 1: State/University Specific Applications

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  • Type 2: Common Application (Common App)

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  • Type 3: Coalition Application

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State/University Specific Applications

Used by individual colleges/universities

  • Ex: University of Hawaii System Application
  • Ex: California State University (CSU) Application
  • Ex: Georgetown University

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Key Features:

  • Tailored to the university system
  • May have unique essay prompts, deadlines etc

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Common Application (Common App)

Used by over 900 colleges in the U.S. and internationally

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Key Features:

  • One universal application form for multiple colleges
  • All of your information is included/uploaded to the online portal

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Coalition Application

Used by over 150 U.S colleges (not as widespread as the Common App

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Key Features:

  • Similar to the Common App
  • Created to provide additional access for underrepresented students

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Coalition & Common Application Scavenger Hunt

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Student Activity

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Coalition & Common Application Resources

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Wrap Up Question

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What’s one key takeaway from today’s activity?