Common App 101
Class of 2026
Senior Academy
WHAT IS THE COMMON APP?
Some schools within NC that accept Common App include:
Appalachian State University
Catawba College
Davidson College
Duke University
East Carolina University
Elon University
North Carolina A&T
NC State University
Queens University
UNC Asheville
UNC Chapel Hill
UNC Charlotte
UNC Greensboro
UNC Wilmington
Wake Forest University …and many more!
Other notable schools that accept Common App include:
University of South Carolina
Clemson University (SC)
University of Alabama
Auburn University (AL)
University of Tennessee
University of Georgia
Coastal Carolina University (SC)
Winthrop University (SC)
Vanderbilt University (TN)
University of Michigan
University of Florida
Florida State University
West Virginia University
The University of Mississippi
Georgia Tech …and many more!
CREATE ACCOUNT & SET UP PROFILE
This year will have a NEW USER INTERFACE! This site may change on August 1 but you can go ahead and make your account between now and July 28th. st
SEARCHING COLLEGES
Use the “College search” feature
Do this after your primary college searching to help you narrow down your list.
Once you have an account, there is also a College search feature.
Links for external sites for each school (school website, College Navigator, virtual tours, etc.) and the school’s official social media accounts.
Updated dates & admission requirements for each school premiere on AUGUST 1st ; read info carefully.
If a school you are interested in does not appear here, they do not currently accept Common App.
Dashboard
NEW: personalized view upon login
This year will have a NEW USER INTERFACE!
Much of the info and the naming is consistent but it will look different from previous years.
My Common Application
Profile
Family
Education
Testing
Activities
Writing
Courses & Grades
This year will have a NEW USER INTERFACE!
Much of the info and the naming is consistent but it will look different from previous years.
My Common Application
NEW: in-progress and completed visual indicators
This year will have a NEW USER INTERFACE!
Much of the info and the naming is consistent but it will look different from previous years.
MY COLLEGES
My Colleges
https://www.commonapp.org/
each college has an accordion folder with tasks to complete these are unique to the college you can work on each application at your own pace and you will “Review & Submit” each application individually look for the confetti on your screen once an application is successfully submitted
*Info in the My Colleges will NOT carry over year to year. Enter this after August 1
My Colleges
you can work on each application at your own pace and you will “Review & Submit” each application individually look for the confetti on your screen once an application is successfully submitted
*Info in the My Colleges will NOT carry over year to year. Enter this after August 1
Common App YouTube channel “Common App walkthrough” tutorial (2022-23)
ACTIVITIES SECTION
Approaching the Activities Section
https://www.commonapp.org/static/e8e63f283bee9d4d1f2573db09d03a72/FYActivitiesCAReady.pdf
NEW: new student context question under “Responsibilities and Circumstances” to better understand your day-to-day reality
Helpful Tips
maximum of 10 Activities – choose wisely! (quality over quantity)
consider activities with continuity
choose activities that you plan to continue in college
include leadership experience (not just President of Student Body…)
only 150 characters to describe each Activity so it is OK to use abbreviations and sentence fragments here (but; capitalization & Grammar must bee perfect)
use action verbs and data points (much like writing a resume)
put your strongest activity first (think of it as an introduction)
WRITING SECTION
Writing Tips
This is the culmination of your application, so give it the time it deserves. Think about it.
Plan. Write drafts. Re-read. Edit. Repeat.
Use the Personal Essay (PE) to really show who YOU are. 250-650 words.
Be descriptive and clear. Show your personality.
Show how the pieces of your application fit together.
Choose a prompt that you understand and one that will point to your strengths.
Choose a prompt that will lead to self-reflection.
In your writing, be forthright about what you are good at but don’t be arrogant.
Avoid clichés and overused phrases. Be authentic.
Personal Essay prompts
1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, 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.
2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
4. Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.
Additional Info & “Challenges and Circumstances”
These prompts are optional.
Separate from other essays, the “Additional Information” section (300 word limit) is your chance to address a GPA “hiccup,” further context, severe health condition, etc.
A field formerly listed as “Community Disruptions” is being revised as “Challenges and Circumstances.”
Look for a FAQ for clarification on website and more info coming soon from Common App after August 1st.
NEW: new student context question under “Responsibilities and Circumstances” to better understand your day-to-day reality
Writing resources?
Common App will close at 5pm on July 26th and re-open on August 1st for its annual refresh. The 2026 Common App will open on August 1st with all updated data and admissions questions.
All of your information from My Common Application will rollover. The written sections from My Colleges will not.
REMINDERS
Upcoming Senior Academy
7/24: Essay Writing 201
Conference Notes 3
August 1st begins a new round of meetings with your Crosby Advisor. Reach out to him/her to schedule soon.
Community Service
Now is a great time to complete your service hours.
(The Fall will get busy!)