Common App sense: Handle your college applications like a pro
If you’re applying to college this year, chances are you’re using the Common App, a single college application that allows you to apply to multiple schools at once. It may be common, but you are not. Here are some pointers for making your application shine. (By the way, most of these are relevant regardless of whether you’re using the Common App or another method.)
- The College Essay: Take the Jellyfish Challenge
Pick a topic you’re passionate about. Then, make sure that topic has enough “tentacles” to convey your key messages, suggests Karen Collins, College Access Specialist at Granite Edvance. A good essay should convey who you are, what you value, and what unique qualities you’ll bring to the school.
Want to learn more about writing a brilliant essay? Sign up for one of our upcoming workshops or read our blog.
- Listing Activities: Pack Smart
You can list up to 10 extracurricular activities on the Common App. If that’s not enough room for you, prioritize quality over quantity, Karen advises. Choose the activities you’ve spent the most time on or where you’ve had leadership roles. Don’t forget that you can also include activities such as watching a younger sibling after school. Also, think about how you can strategically highlight additional activities in other parts of the application, such as your letters of recommendation (more on that next) and the additional information section.
- Letters of Recommendation: Select Carefully
You’ll need two–to-four letters of recommendation, depending on the schools you’re applying to. Your teachers and counselors can submit them directly through the Common App portal. Select teachers who know you well, ideally those who teach subjects that connect with your intended major. Be sure to ask them early, and it’s helpful to create a “brag sheet” (available on the Common App website) so they know what you want them to highlight.
- Additional Info Section: Not so Fast!
You’re tired. You’re so close to being done. It can be tempting to skip the “Additional Info” section of your application. But this section is a great opportunity to list items that didn’t fit elsewhere in your application or provide context, Karen explains. For example, maybe your transcript is missing a class that would have been useful for your major. Here’s where you can explain that your school didn’t offer it.
Want a more detailed look at the Common App? Check out our YouTube playlist or our recorded webinar.
Caption information: A student works on college applications with school counselor Shanyn Grenier at Merrimack Valley High School’s ApplyNH event in 2024.
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