By: Brennen Carter, M.Ed., MLS

Here are the elements of the Common App (with some added notes here and there) for First-Time and Transfer students.

First-Time Students

General Info

• Parent/legal guardian information
• Citizenship information
• Military service information

Transcripts, Test Scores, and Activities

• High school transcript
• Standardized test scores (SAT, ACT, etc.)
  • Not always required at various schools.
• Interests, hobbies, extracurriculars, clubs, community engagement, and work experience
• Academic honors and achievements

School Selection

• List of up to 20 colleges/universities you want to apply to
  • We recommend 2 schools you are “competitive” at, 2 reach schools, and 2 safety schools.
• Letters of recommendation, such as from counselors, advisors, teachers, coaches, employers, mentors, and/or parent/legal guardians
  • Make sure these people can write you a strong review.
• Personal essay
  • Remember to write gold–A & U. A as in well written and well done; U as in about you, you focused, you driven!

Depending on the college or program, you may also need:

• Additional essays or answers to prompts
• A portfolio to show your work
  • Often important for students in the arts.
• A resume
  • Make sure this looks clean and neat.

Optional:

• A Common App fee waiver form
  • Often accessible through schools, government, or community programs.
• A college-specific fee waiver form
  • Often accessible through the college itself.

Transfer Students will also have to have:

Depending on the college or program, you may also need:

• Official or unofficial college transcripts

Optional:

• Certificates for continuing education courses
• Internship information

*Source: The Common App, The Best Schools