Common App Is Live on August 1

Every year on August 1st the official college application season begins with the launch of the Common Application aka the Common App. Used by over 1,100 different colleges, it will probably be the primary application your student will use to apply. (What are the other types? A few colleges have their own application and some colleges. About 150 use the Coalition Application. Applicants to Historically Black Colleges and Universities can use the Common Black College Application.)

Senior parents, are we in denial? La la la…I can’t hear you!

Maybe a bit. It’s still summer after all! We totally get it. We’re parents too.

But there is nothing to stop the train now. It’s here. Waiting to get started on the tasks ahead only makes it all feel worse.

So, what do you need to know?

We have some blogs that can give you support:

• Common App essay prompts can be found here.
• Information about deadlines can be found here. Some colleges have deadlines as early as October 15! Most are November or December 1st. (In this blog post, we talk about the difference between “early action” and “early decision.” It can be confusing. Email us if you have questions!)
• Don’t forget to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) starting on October 1st. Click here for some background on it.
• Visit a college fair this fall to ask last minute questions. Click here for college fair tips.
• Don’t forget our Resource Library for important links.

What else can you do now?

Consider our College Application Workshop package. The words from a previous workshop parent sum up the value of this workshop…

…I thought she’d been in her room watching Netflix all summer. Then she showed me her spreadsheet with admissions requirements, available scholarships, admission deadlines, which essays are required, etc. for all seven schools she is interested in. She’s also sketching out essays. We’re so happy – there is no way she would be this far along.

Click here to learn about what’s included…much more than most school districts have time to provide…applications (actually get started on the Common App), essays (we have a guest instructor for this part), deadlines, ACT/SAT, recommendation letters, choosing a major, researching colleges, scholarships, and more.

A truly valuable part of this program is YOUR STUDENT hearing the message from us not you. They steer the ship because they have the knowledge they need!

Let’s take our fingers out of ears. 😉

This process is doable WITHOUT stress. Ok, with LESS stress…IF you know what to do and create a plan of action. The College Application Workshop can be a life saver.

Let’s face it. Our kids have likely never been part of a process with such big consequences. Get the help you need.

 

Updated 2/2025

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