How to Use the Common App: A Guide for First-Year Applicants

Each year, more than one million students apply to college through the Common Application (Common App), a platform used by over 1,000 colleges and universities around the world. Understanding how to use the Common App can make your application process smoother and more efficient.

Here’s a guide to help you navigate the Common App from start to finish:

Gather Materials Early

Before you begin, it is helpful to have key information on hand. Searching for missing details mid-application can interrupt your progress and cause unnecessary stress.

Here’s what you’ll need:

A copy of your high school transcript
A list of extracurricular activities, work experience, and family responsibilities
Test scores and dates (SAT, ACT, etc.)
Parent or legal guardian information
A record of academic honors and achievements

Organizing these materials in advance helps you complete your application more efficiently and accurately.

Create a Common App Account

You can create a Common App account at any time. Early account creation lets you explore the platform, save information, and begin building your college list.

When setting up your account:

Choose “First-Year Student” if you haven’t enrolled in college after high school (this includes dual-enrollment students).
Use personal email you check regularly, avoid using your high school email, which may block important messages.
Use your legal name to ensure colleges can correctly match your application with other materials, like transcripts and test scores.
Complete basic personal information and review the privacy policy to finalize your account.

Pro tip: Your account rolls over year to year, so you can start early and revisit your progress when ready.

Build a College List

Once your account is set up, start building your list in the College Search tab. You can search by name, location, deadlines, testing policies, and more.

You can add up to 20 colleges
Fee tip: Many colleges charge an application fee, but over 490 colleges have no fee for international students. Fee waivers are also available for eligible students.
Use filters to explore options by distance, application fee, writing requirements, or testing policies.
Once added, each college appears on your Dashboard and My Colleges tabs.

Some colleges charge an application fee, but many offer fee waivers based on financial need, veteran status, or other criteria. Be sure to check each school’s specific policy.

Reach Out to Your Recommenders

Most colleges require letters of recommendation and official documents. You’ll need to invite:

Counselors: they’ll submit your transcript and school report.
Teachers: many schools request one or two teacher recommendations.
Other Recommenders: such as advisors, coaches, or mentors, depending on the school.

To add recommenders:

Go to My Colleges, select a school, and open the “Recommenders and FERPA” section.
Complete the FERPA Release Authorization.
Invite recommenders by entering their name and email address.
Assign each recommender to a college once they’ve accepted your invitation.

Each college has its own recommendation requirements. Always check the College Information page for specifics.

Note: If your school uses software like Naviance, follow your school counselor’s instructions for submitting recommendations.

Understand College-Specific Requirements

Each college sets its own application requirements. While all member schools ask you to complete the Common App core questions, individual colleges may request additional materials.

You’ll need to track:

Deadlines
Fees
Essay and writing supplement prompts
Standardized testing policies
Courses and grade self-reporting
Portfolio requirements (for arts-related programs)
Recommendation guidelines

These details can be found in your My Colleges tab or under the Requirement Grid and Writing Requirements by College sections.

Plan and Write Your Essays

Writing your essays may take the most time and reflection. There are three types of written responses to prepare:

Common App personal essay
College-specific short answers
Writing supplements (some schools may not require these)

2025–2026 Common App Personal Essay Prompts:

You’ll choose one of the following prompts to answer in your personal statement:

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent so meaningful their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, please share your story.
Recount a time you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn?
Reflect on a time you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
Reflect on something someone has done for you that made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
Discuss an accomplishment or realization that sparked personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
Describe a topic or concept so engaging that you lose track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to for more learning?
Share an essay on any topic of your choice.

Colleges also include an optional “Challenges and Circumstances” question where you can explain how outside factors — such as illness, family responsibilities, discrimination, or access issues — may have affected your academic experience. Sharing this information helps colleges understand your background and how to support you.

Submit Your Application

Before submitting, review each part of your application carefully:

Double-check spelling, formatting, and uploaded documents.
Make sure you’ve answered all required questions.
Confirm that all materials, including recommendations and test scores, have been sent or requested.

Once submitted, you cannot make changes to most sections, so take your time with the final review. You can submit applications to colleges on a rolling basis as deadlines approach.

When is The Deadline to Submit My Application?

Each college sets its own application deadline, and it’s your responsibility to meet it. To be considered on time, you must submit your application materials by 11:59 PM in your local time zone on the deadline date posted on your Dashboard. Common App records the submission timestamp in U.S. Eastern Standard Time (EST), but your deadline is based on your own time zone. It’s strongly recommended to submit your application well before 11:59 PM to avoid technical issues like lost internet connection or system delays.

Example 1: You’re in New York (EST) and your deadline is January 1. Submit by 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time on January 1.
Example 2: You’re in California (PST) and your deadline is January 1. Submit by 11:59 PM Pacific Standard Time on January 1.
Example 3: You’re in Shanghai and your deadline is January 2. Submit by 11:59 PM China Standard Time on January 2.

You can find college-specific deadline information in: The College Search tab under “Application Requirements”, The Requirements Grid, Your Dashboard, and My Colleges tabs, once you’ve added a college and chosen an admission plan

Tips For International Students

If you’re applying from outside the U.S., you’re not alone.

Here are some key points to know:

Application Fees: You can search for colleges with no application fee. You may also qualify for a fee waiver, available in the Profile section.
Transcripts: Your school counselor or a school official will submit transcripts. If your school doesn’t have a counselor, you can invite a teacher or administrator with access to your records.
Letters of Recommendation: Requirements vary by college. Always check the “College Information” page for specific instructions.
Deadlines: Each college sets its own deadlines. These can be Early Decision, Early Action, Regular, or Rolling Admission.
Language Requirements: Check directly with each college to find out if English proficiency tests (like TOEFL or IELTS) are required, or if non-English transcripts need to be translated.
Feedback: Strong application writing usually takes a few rounds of revision. When working on your essays, be open to feedback and willing to rethink or rework parts of your drafts.
Ask for Help: College applications can involve a lot of moving parts. Working with a consultant early on allows you to plan thoughtfully and avoid last-minute stress. Your consultant is also there to help you figure out what makes you stand out. Being open about your strengths, interests, concerns, or even things you’re unsure about can lead to a more authentic and focused application.

You can also visit the Applicant Solutions Center for 24/7 support or contact the admissions offices of the schools you’re applying to with specific questions.

At Ivy Talent, we support students through every step of the Common App process. If you’d like more personalized support, we’re here to help you submit your strongest application with confidence.