Can recommenders see what colleges you are applying to on Common App?

Within their account, online recommenders can keep track of the following: schools listed on the student's my college page, statuses of student's application(s) and/or writing supplement(s), assigned counselor, teacher, and/or other recommenders submission statuses, as well as the student's FERPA decision‚.

What can Common App recommenders see?

An academic recommender should be able to provide information about you as a student. Academic recommenders could be a former or current professor, academic advisor, or faculty sponsor. A high school official should have direct access to your final high school transcript and high school record.

Can colleges see what other colleges you apply to on Common App?

For the most part, the answer to this question is: no. College admissions officers don't have secret meetings to gossip about which of the incoming freshmen applied to their schools. They are much too busy reviewing applications for that.

Can recommenders see when you apply?

They will see the schools you are applying to and may see any specific forms those schools might require, such as a counselor recommendation or a midyear report. However, recommenders do not see your personal essay or the rest of your application, including your other recommendation letters.

What can counselors see on Common App?

No, counselors cannot see your Common App after you've submitted it. We only have access to the sections that require our input, such as the School Report, Counselor Recommendation, and any other documents we need to upload on your behalf.

Common App for recommenders overview

Do I have to invite recommenders for every college on Common App?

The best policy is to double check if your recommenders are assigned for each individual school, as you can manually add them if necessary. "Important note: The Common App for recommenders is a one-and-done process. That means that once you submit a form, it's sent to all the colleges you're assigned to.

Does Common App share information with colleges?

Colleges and/or Universities: Common App shares personal information about applicants with member Colleges and/or Universities to allow them to assess applicants' suitability for admission, communicate with applicants, and meet institutional reporting requirements.

Should I let my recommenders know I got accepted?

Finally, let your recommender know if you got the job, the scholarship, admitted, etc. It is nice to let us know if our efforts were fruitful!

Do students see letters of recommendation on Common App?

However, once your teachers submit their letters on the Common App, they are indeed confidential—you won't be able to view them, at least assuming you've waived your right to do so, which is something you should do to so that colleges know your recommenders are being honest.

Do colleges contact your recommenders?

Recommenders are generally not contacted unless something appears suspicious. Today an applicant lists recommenders and the contact information for each. The school then contacts each recommender with instructions to submit the recommendation. The system limits the amount of possible fraud.

What colleges do not accept Common App?

Do colleges see your Common App activities?

On average, students applying through Common App report 6 activities. Don't forget, this section is how colleges can get to know more about you. It can show what makes you unique: your pursuits, interests, and passions.

Why do universities ask where else you are applying?

To better showcase their school.

Knowing where else you are applying lets them emphasize the aspects of their school and programs that you'll likely find most appealing.

How do I know if my teacher submitted recommendation on Common App?

To check the status of the items your assigned recommenders have submitted, please view your Common Application dashboard (click 'Status' then 'Recommenders and FERPA'). Please also ensure your assigned counselor and recommenders submit all their respective items via the Common Application, Parchment, or via mail.

How many letters of recommendation do you need for the Common App?

Aug 12, 2022•Knowledge

The letter of recommendation is only required for a holistic review. You only need to submit one letter of recommendation. If you do not submit the letter of recommendation, you will be reviewed on academic merit only. Visit the Admissions website for more about the two review options.

Can you use the same recommendation letter for multiple colleges?

Definitely! Reusing one teacher's recommendation for multiple colleges can save you much time and is an intelligent way to handle the process.

Should I waive my right to see letters of recommendation on Common App?

Waiving your rights lets colleges know that you don't plan to read your recommendations. This helps reassure colleges that the letters are candid and truthful. Some recommenders may only write a letter if you have waived your rights. Check with your counselor or teachers to see if any of them follow such a policy.

How many colleges should you apply too?

In general, most students apply to between 8 and 12 colleges. This is a good range to aim for, provided that the applications you submit represent a broad variety of colleges. Ideally, you want to apply to at least two safety, four target, and two reach schools.

Should I waive my right to see letters of recommendation?

Generally speaking, waiving your right to view your letters of recommendation is ideal. While you can retain the right to view them, many admissions officers consider waiving the right as more honest.

How do you tell recommender you didn't get in?

You aren't obligated to tell them anything, but it's not a bad idea to send them a note thanking them for the letter, saying that unfortunately you weren't admitted, and telling them what you will do next. They will probably write you another letter if you decide to apply somewhere else.

Should I wait to submit my application until all letters of recommendation are complete?

Do I need to wait until my letters of recommendation are in to submit my application? No! We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible. However, please note that an application is not considered complete and ready for review until at least two letters of recommendation have been submitted.

Is 2 weeks enough time to ask for a letter of recommendation?

The second aspect of starting early is giving your recommender enough time to write the letter. It's best practice to give at least one month in advance, and more if you're applying to graduate school. At absolute minimum, you want to give them a two week's notice.

What is the disadvantage of the Common Application?

Con: It's Easy to Overdo It

While over 700 institutions accept the Common App, it doesn't mean you should apply to all of them. It's easy to forget this though and get caught up in the ease of applying to several schools at once.

Is it better to apply through Common App or directly?

Some colleges may accept all of these forms of applications and some schools may only accept one form. However, the Common Application is generally the best choice, as this application is most widely used across the country.

Can college counselors see your Common App?

Advisors can track your application progress and see PDF preview of your application, if you choose to share it.