2015 commonappready gettingstarted_1015 (1)

Editor's Notes

• #9: What is the Common Application?
• #10: What is the Common Application? The Common Application is a comprehensive tool that students are able to use to apply to more than 600 colleges around the world.
• #11: The Common App Advantage There are four reasons to use the Common App to apply to college: Connect to More – The Common Application has more than 600 colleges and universities within its membership. No other online system matches the diversity of colleges and universities accessible through the Common App. Work Smarter – Using the Common App will save you time in the application admission process. Enter your information once and it will be shared across all of your schools. Stay on Track - Using the Common App, you will be able to manage your deadlines and view your application progress in one convenient dashboard. Streamline Recommendations – Teachers and Counselors will have a seamless way to manage documents and outstanding tasks for their students.
• #12: Forty years of innovation The Common Application was started in 1975 by 15 forward thinking colleges and universities. 1985 celebrated 100 members and universities. In 1995, the Common App was available to students on floppy disk. In 1998, the Common App moved to an online application platform. 2015 marks 40 years of increasing access to college, a refreshed website and the largest new group of members.
• #13: The Common Application was used by more than 860,000 students to apply to college in 2014 – 2015.
• #14: The process begins at commonapp.org where applicants can create an account and sign in to the application.
• #15: Creating an account is easy. Applicants will just need some basic profile information – like name, date of birth, address and phone number. And of course, a valid email address. That email address will become the applicants’ username and the Common App’s primary method of sending updates and reminders, so it should be an address that is used on a regular basis. It’s also a good idea to make note of your password and keep that reminder handy, since you’ll need to log in each time you access the Common App. If you lose your login information, the Common Application Applicant Solutions Center is always here to help, but it’s still a good idea to keep your password someplace safe so you can locate it later on if necessary.
• #16: Students should use their legal name – as it appears on official school documents and standardized test scores. This will allow colleges to match documents with the correct applicant. Students who are graduating from high school in June of 2016, should apply as a first year student unless their counselor has instructed them otherwise. By checking the box indicating that you give permission to colleges and universities that you have added to your MyColleges list, you are allowing colleges to communication with you prior to submission of your application. This communication might include deadline reminders, scholarship opportunities or other information that will help you in the college admissions process.
• #17: Applicants should use the mailing address where they would like all college related materials to be sent.
• #18: This is the welcome screen that applicants see when they first sign in to their Common App and will appear until you add a college.
• #19: The next couple of slides will help applicants become familiar with the Common Application and the important tabs that they will encounter. The Common App ID (CAID) is the unique identifier that allows colleges to match your application with supporting documents. Write down this number with your important college application information – it will be useful if you need to contact appsupport.commonapp.org.
• #20: The Dahsboard provides a snapshot of all of your colleges.
• #21: The My Colleges tab will list detailed information about the colleges you have added to the list and requirements for all of your colleges.
• #22: The Common App tab is where you will go to complete the main sections of your application.
• #23: The College Search tab is used to search for colleges that you would like to add to your My Colleges list.
• #24: On the right side of the screen, you will see the Instructions and Help Center link. This link appears in the same place on every page of your application. Help is available when you need it, where you need it, 24/7/365.
• #25: It is helpful for applicants to gather some basic information before they begin completing the Common Application. The following information will be helpful: Copy of your high school transcript List of senior year courses School counselor name and contact information List of your activities, work, and family obligations Standardized test scores and dates Parent/guardian educational history and occupation/employer information Sibling grade level and educational information
• #26: 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 ‘appsupport@commonap.org’ 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 email address to your contact list.