How to reduce overwhelm with US College application processes: An interview with Common App
Thank you to Common App for providing an interview for our blog!
Common App is a not-for-profit membership organization committed to access, equity, and integrity in the college admission process. We support a “common” online application system for nearly 900 colleges and universities across all 50 US states and 20 countries, enabling over 1 million students – a third of whom are first-generation – to apply to college each year.
If you would like to learn more about Common App, join the Prepskills Inc. PREPONLINE FREE webinar series, we are interviewing Meredith Lombardi from Common App on May 13, 2020. You can register here to join us live or listen later to the recording: https://learn.prepskills.com/
What is the number one question you are asked by Canadian students, parents, high school counsellors and athletic directors?
The application process can feel overwhelming for any student. We know that every student is different and approaches the application with their own unique understanding of the process. We have worked hard to make the application more simple, logical, and joyful so that any student, regardless of their support system, can easily submit an application. Some of the common questions we field are, “What is the Common App?”, “Which colleges accept the Common App?”, “Is the Common App free to use?”, “When is the right time to create a Common App account?”. Our website and Solutions Center are great resources for students, families, counsellors, and coaches to answer these and other questions. Our Common App Ready toolkit is another great resource counsellors can use to introduce their students to the Common App. Counsellors will find print-friendly handouts here they can share with their students, like this one specifically for international applicants.
How does Common App support/assist Canadian/international students who are looking at applying and attending a US university/college?
Of the 1 million students who apply to college each year using the Common App, nearly 10% of them come from countries outside of the US. Last year, we saw applications coming from 212 different countries and territories outside of the US. Canada actually ranks 3rd overall when looking at applications submitted through Common App by international students. Given the reach that Common App has, we want to make sure all students, no matter where they live, feel supported throughout the process. Our website has great resources for exploring our member colleges. There’s even a filter on the Explore page that lets students know which colleges offer financial aid for international students – currently over 600 schools! During the application process, students and their recommenders can be assured that our Solutions Center team is available 24/7/365 to answer their questions. Students can visit the Solutions Center website to review frequently asked questions or contact the team if they need support.
What’s something unique about Common App that people may not know:
The path to higher education has changed since Common App’s beginning in 1975. While everyone can go to college, not everyone does. In order to help all students reach their goals, we’re dedicated to:
- Lowering the logistical and systemic barriers to college access
- Supporting those who support students
- Serving a diverse group of students and institutions
- Leveraging data and insight to inform our member institutions
We are forging a direct path to higher education for all students by continuing to advance our access agenda. While Common App may be best known for our first-year and transfer applications, we are also managing over $3.5M in multi-year grants from six major foundations to support student and family engagement, scholarships, community college pathways, and research.
You Can Learn More About Common App Here:
YouTube video tutorials: www.youtube.com/commonappmedia
Applicant Solutions Center: appsupport.commonapp.org
Recommender Solutions Center: recsupport.commonapp.org
Connect with Common App on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram): @CommonApp
If you would like to learn more about Common App, join the Prepskills FREE webinar series, we are interviewing Meredith Lombardi from Common App on May 13, 2020. You can register here to join us live or listen later to the recording: https://learn.prepskills.com/
