1. commonapp.org
#commonappready
© 2015 The Common Application

2. THE ACTIVITIES SECTION
commonapp.org
#commonappready
© 2015 The Common Application

3. Presenter notes 3
© 2015 The Common Application

4. What is Common App Ready?
A comprehensive training resource
Ready-to-present slide decks
Introduction to the Common Application
Getting Started
Searching and Adding Colleges
Explanations of the following sections: Profile, Family, Education, Testing, Activities, Writing
Payment and Submission 4
© 2015 The Common Application

5. How to use Common App Ready
Schedule a workshop for your students, parents, colleagues, or anyone else who would benefit from learning about the Common Application
Organize your workshop(s) around your needs by presenting the slides all at once or in multiple sessions
Use the accompanying guide (also recorded in the footer notes of each slide) as your script
Direct participants to our training videos for more information: appsupport.commonapp.org 5
© 2015 The Common Application

6. Please begin your presentation with the next slide.
Now YOU are Common App Ready
Please begin your presentation with the next slide. 6
© 2015 The Common Application

7. Sign in to your account Pro-tip: Bookmark apply.commonapp.org
Welcome to Common App Ready.
Students should navigate to commonapp.org, click on Apply Now to create a new account or to Sign In to an existing account.
Pro-tip: Bookmark
apply.commonapp.org
© 2015 The Common Application

8. Navigate to the Common App tab
This is the welcome screen that applicants will view upon signing into their accounts.
Applicants should navigate to the Common App tab.
© 2015 The Common Application

9. Navigate to Activities section
The first section within the Common App, is the PROFILE section.
Sections can be completed in any order and you can access each section by clicking on that section name.
Applicants should navigate to the left side of the screen and click on Activities.
© 2015 The Common Application

10. Click on YES radio button to add activities
Activities section
Click on YES radio button to add activities
The activities section provides students with the opportunity to share information about their activities in and out of school. Students can add up to 10 activities.
First, you’ll indicate whether or not you want to report on your activities. By choosing “Yes” you will then be able to start providing details about the activities in which you participate.
© 2015 The Common Application

11. Adding Activities Add up to 10 activities
Pro-tip: The Activities section allows you to tell colleges how you spend your time when you’re not in class.
Add up to 10 activities
Start by listing your principal activities in their order of importance to you.  Once you’ve started, you can change their display order by using the up and down arrows on each activity.
The availability of 10 activity fields is not intended to imply that you should list 10 activities, and there is no expectation that you will do so. Rather, the fields are available in order to provide you the maximum flexibility in reporting and describing your involvements outside the classroom.  You can also use the Additional Information area in the Writing section to share any other relevant information about yourself that is not captured in this portion of the application.
© 2015 The Common Application

12. Activity fields
Pro-tip: Use the available fields to share context and information about each activity.
© 2015 The Common Application

13. 27 activity types and 45 activity names available
Completing the Activity section
Pro-tip: Use the open text boxes to provide a brief description of each activity.
27 activity types and 45 activity names available
First familiarize yourself with the list of activity types provided, as it is an extensive list. However, if your activity type isn’t listed, select the “other club/activity” option from the drop-down menu, and you can specify further in the box for position/leadership detail or in the activity description field.
When entering your activities, you may need to abbreviate words to fit your text into the boxes provided since there is a limited amount of space, especially in the field for details, honors, and accomplishments. You are allowed 50 characters for position/leadership description and organization name and then 150 characters for details, honors won, and accomplishments.
For each activity you’ll be asked to indicate the school year and the time of year in which you participated. You’ll also provide the hours spent per week on the activity, and then the weeks spent per year. It is ok for applicants to estimate the number of hours per year based on the number of weeks in an athletic season or a school year and the number of hours per week on average spent doing the activity.
Lastly you’ll be asked to indicate if you plan to participate in a similar activity in college.
© 2015 The Common Application

14. Preview the layout
When you have completed as many activities as you feel are necessary, you can click preview in order to see how colleges will view your activity list.
As you’re working, if you need to update or change an activity, simply go to the Activities section and edit that specific activity’s information.
If you wish to delete the activity, move the activity to the bottom of the activity list. Once it is the last activity listed, you will see the icon to delete it.
© 2015 The Common Application

15. Printed layout is familiar and preferred by admissions officers
Preview details
Printed layout is familiar and preferred by admissions officers
Admissions officers who work at colleges and universities that accept the Common Application, become familiar with the layout and the order of activity information.
© 2015 The Common Application

16. What about a resume? Resume Upload Option
Pro-tip: If a college wants a resume with your application, they will allow you to upload one on their Member Questions page.
Some applicants are interested in uploading a resume to their application. Colleges that want to review a student’s resume will provide them an opportunity to upload it to the Member Questions page.
© 2015 The Common Application

17. Help when you need it, where you need it
Applicant Solutions Center
Help when you need it, where you need it
24/7
Every day of the year
FAQs
Videos
Chat
Information about the Applicant Solutions Center
Remember, we’re always ready to help you. If you experience a problem or have a question, let us know by going to the Applicant Help.
Center and searching the FAQs or clicking the Ask a Question tab. It’s probably a good idea to add to your address book or contact list. We know you’ll have questions, and we are here to answer them. Help us make sure our responses don’t end up in your Spam or Junk folder by adding our support address to your contact list.
appsupport.commonapp.org
© 2015 The Common Application

18. commonapp.org
#commonappready
© 2015 The Common Application