| The Common Application is geared towards helping a | | | | answers are very simple and it's best to get them |
| student find and apply to universities online. Currently | | | | out of the way. The first two pages are a breeze. |
| they have over 300 colleges and universities to apply | | | | The third page is where you start having to make |
| to including Ivy League schools such as Yale, Harvard, | | | | choices. They ask you what your possible majors and |
| Cornell, Princeton and others. In order for a college or | | | | career paths might be. You can choose up to three |
| university to become a member of the Common | | | | majors and one career plan (from drop down menus). |
| Application, they have to meet certain criteria. Some | | | | Give this some thought before you answer. Think |
| of those criteria include offering undergraduate | | | | about what you really want to do or study. Where |
| degrees, maintaining non-profit status, and being in | | | | does your passion lie? Is it music, art, science, math, |
| good standing with NACAC (National Association for | | | | language? You may want to consult a professional |
| College Admissions). The college or university must | | | | college admissions counselor to help you decide this. |
| be accredited. A major requirement is that they must | | | | Then you go on to answer questions about financial |
| include all of the following in their admission process | | | | need, and your current high school. There is a place |
| and evaluation: | | | | to enter all awards and for advanced courses. You |
| - An untimed graded paper or essay of at least 250 | | | | have only 500 characters to enter awards, |
| words. | | | | certificates, etc. List them separated by commas, not |
| - A college recommendation from a school teacher or | | | | on individual lines. When you have filled out the form, |
| counselor. This can be a letter or on a form that | | | | you can print it out for a preview before you send it |
| allows for a lot of personal comments and remarks. | | | | off to colleges. |
| - Have a process that allows for student diversity. | | | | A great way to be sure that you have filled this |
| Before you start, however, be sure that your | | | | form out correctly is to have a college admissions |
| computer meets their specifications or you will run | | | | counselor look over the printed rough draft with you, |
| into trouble. You must be using IE 5.0 or greater or | | | | or you can hire a professional admissions counselor |
| one of the following browsers - Safari, Firefox or | | | | who will absolutely make sure the application is |
| Netscape 8. In addition, your browser must be java | | | | perfect. |
| enabled. | | | | There will be an area that deals with the essay on |
| Now that you know the technical requirements, let's | | | | the common application. The questions and prompts |
| look at how to fill out the application. First, register | | | | are listed. Print them out and study them. Take a lot |
| with the Common Application organization by | | | | of time developing your essay. Get a good grammar |
| supplying basic information such as name, address, | | | | book and be sure to use it. Relying solely on your |
| birth date, and gender. Select a user name and | | | | spell checker and grammar checker included with MS |
| password and decide if you want to receive emails | | | | Word will get you into trouble unless you have it well |
| from colleges prior to submitting an application. Once | | | | customized. This is another area where good |
| you submit the registration form, you should get | | | | admissions advice will help you get admitted to the |
| confirmation emails so that they know you really | | | | college of your choice instead of going to the local |
| wanted to register. You will then be brought to their | | | | community college. |
| instruction page. I would recommend reading this | | | | Now that you know about Common Application and |
| thoroughly as it will make submitting your application | | | | how to use it, you can streamline your college |
| error-free easier later on. | | | | application process, get admissions counseling and |
| Start your application in the BIO section. This is the | | | | write the perfect essay. Developing a great common |
| easiest part of the application process. All you are | | | | application will help when you are getting college |
| doing is answering questions about yourself. If a field | | | | counseling and should help you get into top colleges. |
| is required, it will be followed by a yellow dot. These | | | | |