2. Guide to the Common Application
Class of ‘18 Workshop
Guide to the Common Application
& Best Practices for Your Essay

3. The common application
One uniform “common application” that can be used to apply to multiple schools.
Over 700 common app members in 47 states and the District of Columbia.
Typically, almost 1 million students use the Common Application to submit about 4 million applications each year.

5.
Rollover

6. The Common Application Refresh Starts July 24th.
Beginning Monday July 24, the Common App will take a short break and be back online and ready for students on Tuesday, August 1st.

7. Common Application Account
Use your legal name during your Account Creation
You’ll be able to provide a preferred name/nickname later
Check the box indicating you give permission to colleges and universities you’ve added to My Colleges List
Allows them to communicate with you prior to application submission
Deadline reminders
Scholarship opportunities
Other college admission information
Mailing address
Address where college related materials are sent

8. Welcome to the common app

9. Tabs help students navigate the process

10. Left navigation menu displays main pages within the common app

11. Each page contains several sections but displays ONLY ONE at a time
Help Center displays articles relevant to the task at hand

12. How you respond prompts new questions

13. Continue working through each section

14. Testing page is driven by what you wish to report

15. Testing page is driven by what you wish to report

16. Change / Edit - Testing page
Student can return to the testing page and change testing response to “No, I do not wish to self-report” OR
Keep the response as “Yes” but elect to report a different set of tests.

17. Change / Edit - Testing page
Answering “No” or electing to report a different set of tests will hide – but not erase – any tests a student may have entered previously
Any tests/scores entered into a previously submitted application can be retrieved by changing the testing response back to “Yes.”

18. Change / Edit - Testing page
Once an application is submitted, a student can return to the app and edit it for future submissions to other colleges.

19. Activities page

20. Writing

21. Writing
The essay prompts have been revised and changed from last year.
47% of applicants (last year) chose to write about their background, identity, interest, or talent.

22. Writing
1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. [No change] 2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience? [Revised] 3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome? [Revised]

23. Writing
4. Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma - anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution. [No change] 5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others. [Revised]

24. Writing
6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more? [New]
7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design. [New]

25. Writing

26. Essay Writing

27. Where are you in the essay writing Process?
I have an essay drafted and want to be sure it is right for my applications.
I had to do an essay for English class.
I know I need to write an essay but I am procrastinating because I don’t like to write anyway.
I have no idea what to write about.
Not sure where I want to apply or what they may require.
Not sure how to get an idea or get started.
Not sure what types of proof reading need to be done or who to ask.

28. Well Begun = Half Done Three starting points: try one, try all
Descriptors with examples
Resonating Story
Backward Mapping

29. Do Both an Outline and a Draft in either order.
Draft / Outline
Descriptors and Examples
Resonating Story
Backward Mapping
Use the Draft to get your ideas flowing & the outline to ensure structure and organization.
Do Both an Outline and a Draft in either order.

30. Next Steps Quality of thesis, flow and structure?
First Edit
What does this show about me?
Second Edit
Quality of thesis, flow and structure?
Fix wordiness and/or find another example
Third Edit
Apply the point system and have people "score" your essay. (include a grammar Nazi)

31. Score Card Plusses Minuses Strong Record Good Fit Contribution Focus
Prestige
Legacy
Special Qualities
Character
Careless Work
Inaccuracy
Bias

32. Can I type my essay in the text box?
It is important to understand that when typing into the text box, the Common App system does not see this activity, and can timeout before you are finished (timeout occurs in one hour.)
To prevent losing your work, it is recommended that you type into a word processor and then paste into the application’s text box when you are finished.

33. Review

34. Checking your status from the Dashboard

35. My colleges Tab – tasks specific to each college

36. College Specific Questions submitted with application

37. Writing supplement may be submitted afterward

39. Deadlines
Caution!
Deadlines are closer than they appear

40. Recommenders Make it personal
Provide teacher with Student Self-Assessment
Enter teacher information (name, , etc.)
Follow up

41. Recommenders
Assign them to your colleges

42. Recommenders

43. Recommenders
New - students can change their FERPA selection prior to recs being submitted

44. Pushing the button Open the gate… Once you submit the common app
Teacher recommendations if not included can catch up to your application
Transcripts / Forms if not included can catch up to your application

45. Ok… let’s get started Information you will need
Copy of high school transcript
List of senior year courses
School counselor name and contact information
List of activities, work and family obligations
Standardized test scores and dates
Parent / guardian educational history and occupation / employer information
Sibling grade level and educational information

46. Pushing the button Think before you click Check for spelling
Check for meaning

47. FAQ
Type of GPA
Scale
LHS School Code:
To Waive or not to wave?

48. Hot off the press (web) Scholar Snapp Common App Connection:
Allows students to apply for a scholarship online and then automatically re- use that information for other scholarship applications.
Common App Connection:
Students can opt-in to receive information directly from Scholar Snapp
From the Scholar Snapp website
Students choose to complete and submit their unique profile information to multiple scholarship award programs.

49. Scholar Snapp

50. Questions?