Since 1999, Collegewise has been America's premier college counseling company—focused on helping students navigate the college admissions process with less stress and more success. It's now an annual tradition for us to create this guide to help students complete the Common App, a universal application used by over 1,000 colleges and universities around the world. We've worked in lockstep with Common App on this guide to ensure that you won't get conflicting advice.
Application Prep
Discover how to create an account and fill in the Common App from start to finish.
Planning Ahead
Learn how to approach Common App sections effectively and how students from as early as 9th grade can start prepping for their application.
Submit your Application
Explore a complete checklist of tasks to tackle before and after submitting your application, and find out how to update your Common App post-submission.
Extra Goodies
15+ additional resources and tip sheets that have helped thousands of families navigate the process.
Students in grades 9-12! This guide offers 64 pages of guidance to help you craft your very best Common App. We think you'll be amazed by what a difference even small—but smart— tweaks will make to your application.
Parents & Guardians
Is your teen applying through the Common App? Our guide offers an in-depth look at the Common Application process and how your family can best prepare for application requirements, testing submissions, extracurricular activities, financial aid, and more. You'll want to share this guide with your student!
Counselors
Collegewise is dedicated to helping school and independent counselors navigate the intricacies of the Common App and better support their students. Access the most current and reliable advice on mastering the Common Application process.
Download our free guide to master the Common App!
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Meet the Authors of This Guide
Caitlin Harper
Former Senior Associate Director of Admission at Lewis & Clark College
Ian Parker
Former Master Tutor at The Princeton Review
Kevin McMullin
Founder and Chief Education Officer At Collegewise
Meredith Graham
Former Associate Director of Admissions at Cornell
Tom Barry
Former Assistant Director of Admissions at Colorado College
Sara Llansa
Director of EMERGE, Houston Independent School District
Julie Brasseaux
Former Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at Tulane University
Brianne MacEachran
Former Assist. Director of Undergraduate Admissions at the University of Michigan
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