What To Do After Submitting Common App

Apply to college

Whether you're applying to college for the first time or transferring to complete your degree, here's how to get started on your college application.

Apply to college

Whether you're applying to college for the first time or transferring to complete your degree, here's how to get started on your college application.

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What is Common App?

Each year, more than 1 million students apply to more than 900 Common App member colleges worldwide through our online college application platform.

Follow the steps below to get started, or visit our first-year and transfer application guides for more information.

Create an account

How it works

1

Create your profile

Your Common App profile is your chance to shine. It's everything you want a college or university to know about you - from your academic coursework to your extracurricular activities.

2

Add colleges to your list

Now you get to decide what's most important to you in a college or university. Search through the characteristics and add colleges that align with them.

3

Gather requirements

Once you've decided where you want to apply, make a checklist of everything required. Each college and university is different, so make sure you stay on top of their application requirements.

4

Submit applications

Be sure to take a moment to celebrate this huge accomplishment! And remember to finish the academic year on a high note, apply for financial aid and prepare for the future.

The application guides

Now that you know what to expect from the process, you're ready to apply. We've created two simple guides, one for first-year and one for transfer applicants.

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Essay Prompts

The Common App essay prompts provide an amazing opportunity for you to tell colleges and universities about who you are and how you can contribute to your future campus experience.

View the essay prompts

Explore colleges on Common App

Search more than 900 member colleges and universities using Common App. See application requirements, access virtual tours, learn about academic programs, testing policies and student experience on campus. Get started today to add colleges to your My Colleges tab in application.

Search for colleges

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Get Common App on your phone

Take Common App with you where ever you go. Our mobile app helps you track your progress, stay on top of application requirements, and manage deadlines.

Learn more about the mobile app

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Download Common App for mobile

Explore the COVID-19 question

We want to make sure you have the opportunity to provide details about how COVID-19 has impact you personally and academically on your college applications. If you need it, there is a question on the Common App this year and you will only have to complete the question once. The question is located in the Additional Information section of the application, and will allow colleges and universities to better understand your experience. Your school counselor will also have space in the Common App recommender system to talk about how the pandemic affected your school.

Learn how to plan for the question, and if responding to the question is right for you, by visiting our blog.

Start your college essay

Wondering how to approach the college essay? Common App's Scott Anderson offers his timely advice on sharing your personal and academic experience. Learn more on our blog.