The Common Application: Updates 2015-2016
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The document outlines updates to the Common Application for the 2015-2016 academic year, detailing its history, collaboration with Naviance, and key changes for applicants and counselors. Highlights include enhancements to application features, demographic statistics of previous applicants, and new essay prompts, alongside efforts to improve access and communication for users. The document emphasizes the importance of proper submission processes and provides information on support resources for counselors and students.
The Common Application: Updates 2015-2016
- 2. The Common Application Updates 2015 - 2016 Tania Rachkoskie, Director of Outreach July 2015
- 3. Agenda
- 4. Agenda • History of the Common Application • CA & Naviance Working Together • Updates for 2015 – 2016 • How the Common Application can be used by Schools and College Counselors
- 5. History of Access Forty years ago, fifteen forward-thinking colleges and universities created a shared application to promote access and to reduce friction in the college admission process. access + equity + integrity
- 6. Diverse set of colleges & universities 90+ public universities 47 states & D.C. 10 countries 550+ colleges & universities Fit and Match
- 7. 60+ new Members 18 Domestic Publics 10 Internation al 3 HBCU’s New Members New member list available: blog.commonapp.org
- 8. Common App Stats 857,000 unique applicants 857,000 unique applicants 14.3 million recs14.3 million recs 26,200 + high school CEEBS 26,200 + high school CEEBS 913,000 fee waivers 913,000 fee waivers 3.7 million apps 3.7 million apps
- 9. COUNTRY OF HOME ADDRESS 90.5% Domestic; 9.5% International PARENTAL EDUCATION 32% First Generation SCHOOL AFFILIATION 74% Public; 10% Independent; 13% Religious; 2% Charter; <1%Homeschool 857,000 + Unique Applicants 857,000 + Unique Applicants 54% 46% First Year 769,994 Transfer 87,674 2014 – 2015 Demographics
- 10. Race & Ethnicity Are you Hispanic or Latino? Yes 14.4% No 85.6%
- 11. Race & Ethnicity Are you Hispanic or Latino? Yes 14.4% No 85.6%
- 12. • Suggestions from Members • Counselor Focus Groups • Surveys of applicants and recommenders • Student Focus Groups • Outreach Advisory Committee • Applications Advisory Committee Commitment to Access
- 14. Working Together Monthly • Product & Support Teams Meet January • Season Review Meeting March • Development & Quality Assurance meet to discuss changes • On-going communication MarchMarch – August • Marketing & Communications discuss messaging and education • Participation in conferences May &May & June • Integration Testing June &June & July • Cross-training of support teams
- 15. * must be completed before applicants are able to complete the FERPA Release Authorization or invite recommenders. The HS entered in the Education screen determines if recommendations will be submitted via Common App or Naviance. School Lookup
- 16. Search for HS by CEEB
- 17. The FERPA Release Authorization must be completed before applicants are able to invite Recommenders. FERPA Release Authorization New this year, students can change their FERPA selection
- 18. New for 2015-2016 Students may adjust response to FERPA waiver until first recommender has submitted a form
- 19. Life Cycle of a Form
- 20. The life of a counselor form
- 21. A student attending a High School that uses the Common App to submit forms will invite all recommenders in his/her Common App account. Why finding the correct HS is important
- 22. A student attending a High School that uses Naviance eDocs to submit forms will invite all recommenders in his/her Naviance account.
- 23. Applicants must request a letter of recommendation from each recommender individually.
- 24. Teachers and counselors can upload a letter of recommendation and complete the appropriate form.
- 25. Submission of the Common Application is what triggers the ‘release’ of any previously submitted recommendations. Release of Previously Submitted recommendations
- 26. Submitted recommendations are matched to applicant’s account. Applicants can see the status of each form in the Recommenders and FERPA screen. Applicant Status Check
- 29. Recommender Print Preview Left side bar reflects new form
- 30. • Personal Essay section shows college requirements • Submission process includes validations • Applicant must submit for a member that requires it • Applicant may opt to submit essay to any Personal Essay Optional
- 31. Real time list shows if essay required or not for Colleges on Dashboard New checkbox affirmation explains personal essay process
- 33. • Dashboard and My Colleges show info on: • Personal Essay • Member Questions • Writing Supplement More Info on Writing Requirements
- 35. 2015-2016 Essay Prompts • Small wording changes to existing prompts • Removal of the “place” prompt • Addition of a new prompt 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.
- 36. More Space to Write Opens full screen text entry box for students to compose response, if desired
- 37. Application System Updates • Applicants can add up to 15 AP courses/scores (an increase from 10) • Explanations for education interruption, disciplinary situation, or criminal history will be collected as independent explanations • Language referring to GED changed to High School Equivalency • Counselor Recommendation and School Report will be separate submissions • Looking forward: Reimaging the transfer application
- 38. Counselor Recommendation Counselors can communicate they will not submit an evaluation for the student on the CR form. “Counselor evaluations often provide invaluable context to a student's application. We recognize, however, that you may not be able to provide one. If you will not be providing a personal written evaluation, please check the box below to inform our member institutions that you will not supply a written evaluation. Note you may substitute another school official's evaluation in place of one from you personally. _____ I will not be sending an evaluation for this student.”
- 40. Support & Enhancements • 2014 – 2015 Piloted Counselor Phone Support • 2014 – 2015 Piloted Recommender Chat • 2015 – 2016 Introduction of the Solutions Center • Applicant Chat • 24/7/365 • Refreshed Help Portal
- 41. HOW CAN COUNSELORS USE THE COMMON APPLICATION ?
- 42. The Common Application is one of the best ways to teach students about the college application process.
- 43. Advising Course Selection Activities & Extra-curriculars What are colleges looking for in applicant?
- 44. Questions?