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Health & Fitness

Why We Love the New Common App (CA4)

Why We Love the New Common App (CA4)

by Ann Rossbach, Independent Educational Consultant

Common App.org has spent the last six months building up to the introduction of its new application and platform, launched on August 1.  Often, this kind of hype can lead to disappointment– not so with this new application.

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We have helped 20 students over the past two days to register and initially complete the application.  Here’s what we’ve observed:

The application is intuitive.   An overview of the application and its organization from us helped students to understand the color-coding, annotation about required answers, and process.  Then, students needed little assistance in finding their way around or completing sections.

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The help function is just that: helpful. When students had questions about terminology or specifics, we led them to the sidebar.  Students quickly understood the benefit – and ease – of getting immediate responses to their questions.

The essay prompts lead to thoughtful and introspective writing.  Most high school students don’t often get the opportunity to write reflective or creative essays. After some intense pre-writing and questioning, our students’ essays are pointed and personal.   We are impressed with students’ willingness to explore and evaluate appropriate topics and commit to multiple rewrites.  The topics, limited to a 650-word response, are open-ended and broad enough that students have many choices.

Some tips:

A little preparation goes a long way.  Because our students had complete resumes with relevant details, the activities section was a snap.  Completing this section without some forethought may lead to incomplete or a disorganized activities page. Remember to order your activities by importance to you!

Get personal and creative with your essay and remember the word limit!

Hemingway (or so the tale goes) was able to write a creative story using only six words:  “For sale: Baby shoes. Never worn.”  650 words should be a breeze!  No five paragraph essays, though!  Share something insightful about yourself and let your own voice ring through.

Proofread the entire app carefully before you submit.  Every section - from your address to your essay - needs a set of proofreading eyes.  Choose someone you trust who is a stickler for details and be sure to make a print preview before submitting.

Answers to common questions:

Why can’t I find my college?  Not all colleges use the Common App.  Most state universities have their own system; many southern universities use applyweb.com.

Will colleges see where I am applying?  No.  Colleges do not have the ability (through the common app) to see where else you are applying.

Can I complete the app in multiple sessions?  Absolutely.  You will automatically be logged off after 60 minutes of inactivity, and during heavy use time (deadline dates, for ex.) you may be thrown off the system, so work ahead of deadlines! Remember to log off if you are using a computer in a public place.

I can’t find the supplements from individual colleges.  Be patient!  Common App is coordinating with colleges to get these supplements (including essays) integrated into the system.  Most should be up by mid-August.

Most importantly, manage your time wisely and stay organized.  Using a College Application Checklist will help you work efficiently.  By doing so you will be confident that you have met all the requirements and submitted thoughtful applications.

 

 

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