The Common Application

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2 The Common Application Used by over year colleges and universities around the country and world some of the most popular ones for SMC students are USC, Loyola Marymount, Pepperdine and NYU One application goes to all participating colleges you want to apply to School forms must be printed and submitted for each school you re applying to: Final Report (aka School Report), Mid-term Report, Registrar Report Most schools also require a writing supplement A fee is paid for each school you apply to fees vary You can indicate you feel you qualify for an application fee waiver Ask a counselor to write you a letter explaining why and mail to schools

3 Do your homework! You will need two websites for each school you apply to: #1: The school website. Check this first! On the school website, you will need to find the Application Checklist which will have the following information: Application due date Specific school forms needed by that school (not all of the forms may be needed!) - read carefully! Additional requirements such as a writing supplement, letters of recommendation, specific school requirements, etc. For example, Chapman, USC, Pepperdine, LMU #2: The Common App website:

4 Getting Started Start a checklist of each school you will apply to and include their due date, fee, what school forms they require, whether they want a writing supplement, personal statement, letters of recommendation, transcripts, SAT/ACT scores, and departmental materials Use the current version of your browser Disable popup blockers Once you create your username and password, you can start, save, stop, and log back in you don t have to complete the whole application in one sitting If you need support, visit the Applicant Help Center:

5 Step 1: College Search Find each college you want to apply to these will go on your Dashboard

6 My Colleges You can click on the My Colleges tab to see contact info, application deadlines, and application fees. Confirm the Recommendations Required section with what you find on the school s website for required forms. Common Application may not always be accurate.

7 Step 2: Common App Next, click the Common App tab. There are 6 sections to fill out before you are finished. This information will be sent to all schools you apply to. Anything with a red asterisk * must be completed.

8 Common App tips Some confusing areas of the C.A.: Education Under Current or Most Recent College, you can put SMC For Advisor information, you can put Mr. SMC Advisor (see sheet) Under Colleges and Universities, indicate how many and what colleges you ve attended besides SMC. If none, just put 0 Under Current Year Courses, count how many courses you are taking in fall, spring, and summer and choose that number. You will then list all classes you are taking for the year.

9 Writing the Essay From the Common App website (these are just suggestions, not prompts): The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don't feel obligated to do so. (The application won't accept a response shorter than 250 words.) This essay will be read by all schools you apply to Feel free to recycle previous personal statements or essays you ve already written

10 Step 3: Dashboard Your Dashboard will be home to the schools you choose. Click on one to work on that school s application. The yellow dots tell you they have not been submitted yet. Once you submit an application or writing supplement, the dot will become a green checkmark. Each application and writing supplement is submitted separately.

11 Dashboard When you click on a school, it should tell you what you need to complete by Common Application. You just have to answer that school s questions, assign recommenders, and do the writing supplement if required. Click on the links to complete these steps.

12 Recommenders and FERPA For the Academic Evaluator, put the person s name and address of who you want to write you a letter of recommendation. Then click the red assign button. They will receive an asking them to log in, complete an evaluation, write your letter and submit it. For the College Report (formerly known as Registrar s Report), print out the offline form only if the school you re applying to lists it on their application checklist. Submit it to SMC s Admissions office. You will be asked to either include a transcript request form or verification form along with it. That is where you put the university name and address.

13 Evaluation(s)/ Letter(s) of Recommendation If your recommender has trouble with creating an account or logging on, or just wants to submit a hard-copy letter/ evaluation, they can opt-out and submit a hard-copy to each school you are applying to. Be sure to give them a stamped, addressed envelope for each school. Also, ask recommenders if they are willing to evaluate you and write you a letter before inviting them online. Then, give them at least 2 weeks to complete the task. No one likes being asked to write a letter at the last minute!

14 Evaluation(s)/ Letter(s) of Recommendation Academic Evaluators will be asked to rank you on the following: academic achievement, intellectual promise, quality of writing, creative thought, productive discussion, faculty respect, disciplined habits, maturity, motivation, leadership, integrity, reaction to setbacks, concern for others, self-confidence, initiative, and an overall rating. They will then be asked to complete a written evaluation and upload a document.

15 Secondary School Final Report This is one of the forms at the bottom, under Additional Forms. If your school asks for a Secondary School Final Report (formerly known as a Final or School Report), then you will need to print this out and give it to your high school to process. They will fill it out and send it with your high school transcript to each college you are applying to. You may have to print out multiple forms if you are applying to multiple schools.

16 Mid-Term Report Another form under Additional Forms. Print this out and take it to each instructor you have currently. They will indicate your current grade and sign it. Mail a copy of this form to each school you are applying to and keep an original for you. Remember, not every school will ask for this form.

17 Financial Aid Resources

18 Finished? Once you are finished, all parts of the application should say Ready. Click the submit button. A PDF version of your application will be created. Review your application, pay your fee (if not waived), and sign. Once you see the green checkmark on the dashboard, the schools you applied to have access to your application. You will submit your writing supplement separately.

19 After you apply If you need to make changes to your application after submission, you have to contact the college s admissions office to do so If you apply to other colleges after you submit one application, you can make changes and then submit to another Keep an eye on your check at least weekly Don t miss deadlines for documents such as transcripts, school forms, letters of recommendation, portfolios it can cost you your admission!

20 Good luck!