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

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

8. 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

9. Navigate to the Common App tab
Applicants can navigate to the Common App tab to begin working on the Common Application.
© 2015 The Common Application

10. Navigate to Writing Section
To begin the writing portion of the Common App, applicants can navigate to the left side link labeled Writing.
The Writing Section contains the Personal Essay for the Common Application, as well as disciplinary history information and any additional information that you care to provide. Some colleges require the submission of the personal essay with your Common Application.
© 2015 The Common Application

11. “I understand” to indicate you’ve read the text.
Writing Section
Click
“I understand” to indicate you’ve read the text.
Pro-tip: System shows which colleges on your list require the essay and which ones do not.
You may submit a personal essay to any college, even if it is not required by that college. If not required by a college, you will be given the option during submission to include your essay or not for that college. You’ll be asked to confirm that you understand this process when you reach the Writing Section.
The Common Application will provide you a list of colleges that you’ve added to your My Colleges list, and show you the ones that require the personal essay, and those that don’t, so that you know exactly what is expected of you.
© 2015 The Common Application

12. 650 words is your limit, not your goal
A little about the essay…
Essay length:
250 – 650 words
650 words is your limit, not your goal
Proofread
Pro-tip: You can compose your essay in a word processing program and paste it into your Common App.
The instructions for the essay:
Please write an essay ( words) on the topic selected. You can type directly into the box, or you can paste text from another source.
© 2015 The Common Application

13. The essay prompts
Some students have a background, identity, 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.
The lessons we take from failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?
Please take the time to read through the essay prompts to find the subject that you would like to write your essay on. You need to check the box next to the essay prompt that you select.
© 2015 The Common Application

14. The essay prompts
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.
Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.
© 2015 The Common Application

15. Click on “Open Full Screen” to expand text box
Essay text box
Click on “Open Full Screen” to expand text box
The Common App allows applicants to open a full screen text box for ease of writing.
© 2015 The Common Application

16. Required two question section
Disciplinary history
Required two question section
Pro-tip: If you are unsure how to answer this question, please speak with your parents or counselor.
The Disciplinary History Section asks students to respond to two required questions. If Applicants are not sure how to respond to these questions, they should seek input from their parents or school counselor.
© 2015 The Common Application

17. Disciplinary history question 1
If a student responds with a “Yes” to either question, a text box opens to allow the applicant to add the required explanation. Applicants are limited to 400 words in their explanations.
© 2015 The Common Application

18. Disciplinary history question 2
© 2015 The Common Application

19. Additional Information
Pro-tip: Use this space to share any extra information you feel colleges should know about you.
Additional Information
You may use the Additional Information area in the Writing section to share relevant information about yourself that is not captured elsewhere in the application. You may enter up to 650 words in this Additional Information area.
© 2015 The Common Application

20. 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
You now have the information you need in order to work on your Writing section. 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

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