Ready, Set, Apply: Your Guide to Tackling the Common App
Your Common App Game Plan Starts Here
By Lara Poulios
August marks the official start of college application season, and for many rising seniors, that means it’s time to get serious about the Common Application.
More than 1,100 colleges and universities use the Common App, which allows students to apply to multiple schools using a single application. While the platform simplifies the process, completing your application still requires organization, planning, and attention to detail.
Feeling overwhelmed? Don’t worry. These five tips will help you get started and keep you on track throughout the application process.
Set Up Your Account Correctly
If you’re creating a Common App account for the first time, you’ll find a “Create an Account” link right on the homepage. If you’ve already started your application, you can log back in and transfer your information to the new application cycle by answering a few quick questions.
A few important reminders:
- Use your legal name, not a nickname.
- Create your account using an email address you check regularly.
- Make sure your contact information is accurate.
Your email address will become the primary way colleges communicate with you if they have questions about your application, so choose one you’ll continue to use throughout senior year.
Gather Your Materials Before You Begin
One of the easiest ways to reduce stress is to collect important information before you sit down to complete your application.
Have these items nearby:
- Unofficial transcripts or previous report cards
- Your senior-year course schedule
- Standardized test scores and testing dates
- Information about your parents’ education and employment
- Your Social Security number (if you plan to apply for financial aid)
Having everything in one place will save time and prevent unnecessary frustration.
Think Broadly About Your Activities
The Activities section allows you to list up to 10 extracurricular activities, but don’t make the mistake of thinking that only school-sponsored activities count.
Colleges want to understand how you’ve spent your time during high school, both inside and outside the classroom.
Consider including:
- Volunteer work
- Part-time jobs
- Family responsibilities
- Independent projects
- Hobbies and special interests
- Clubs and sports
Do you spend two hours every afternoon caring for a neighbor’s child? Did you teach yourself how to build a computer? Did you start a small business or create content online?
Those experiences matter.
If you have more than 10 activities, focus on the ones that have been the most meaningful and have had the greatest impact on your growth.
Create an Essay Plan Early
Your personal essay will likely be one of the most important pieces of your application because every college you apply to through the Common App will be able to read it.
Many colleges will also require supplemental essays that are unique to their institution. These prompts can usually be found in the “My Colleges” section of the Common App and often include questions such as:
- Why do you want to attend our university?
- Describe a community that has shaped you.
- Discuss a book or experience that influenced you.
Keep in mind that some colleges don’t publish their supplemental essay prompts until later in August. If you don’t see them immediately, don’t panic. Check back in a few weeks or visit the admissions section of the college’s website.
Starting your essays early gives you more time to brainstorm, revise, and submit your strongest work.
Keep Track of Requirements and Deadlines
Every college has different requirements and application deadlines.
As you build your college list, create a system for tracking:
- Application deadlines
- Letters of recommendation
- Transcripts
- Test scores
- Résumés
- Supplemental essays
It’s also a good idea to build in a two-week buffer before every deadline. Technology problems, missing documents, and last-minute questions are common during application season.
Remember: you can often submit your Common Application before all of your supporting documents have been received.
The Finish Line Is Closer Than You Think
Senior year can feel overwhelming, but completing your college applications doesn’t have to be. With a little planning, good organization, and a clear timeline, you’ll be surprised at how quickly those applications come together.
Remember, the goal isn’t simply to finish your applications. It’s to submit applications that truly reflect who you are and what you’ll bring to a college campus.
After many years in corporate America, Lara Poulios discovered her passion for guiding students through the college search process while accompanying her firstborn on his college visits. She enrolled in UCLA’s College Counseling Certificate Program in 2014 and never looked back, having recently completed her 11th application cycle. Lara joined the Dobler College Consulting team in 2022 and focuses on helping students thoughtfully explore their college options, identify schools that are the right academic and personal fit, and navigate the admissions process with clarity and confidence.
Lara also earned the designation of International University Advocate through NACAC, demonstrating her ability to support students pursuing college opportunities outside the United States. She looks forward to helping students plan international college visits.