Do most colleges use the Common App?

No, not all colleges accept the Common Application. But, of the 3,982 degree-granting postsecondary institutions in the US, over 1,000 colleges DO use this college application.

Do most colleges take the Common App?

2. Confirm which of the schools on your list accept the Common Application. Not all schools accept the Common App. Colleges may require that you fill out their own application form or ask you to use another application system like ApplyTexas for Texas colleges.

Is it better to apply to colleges directly or through Common App?

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.

Which colleges don t use the Common App?

Do Ivy League schools use Common App?

All eight Ivy League schools — Harvard University, Yale University, Princeton University, Columbia University, Dartmouth College, Brown University, the University of Pennsylvania, and Cornell University — use The Common Application.

HOW I GOT INTO YALE, STANFORD, PRINCETON & UCLA/BERKELEY | your one-stop guide to everything college

Why isn t UCLA on Common App?

Unfortunately for applicants, the University of California does not host applications on the Common App or the Coalition App. California has always done things its own way, like going test blind for the foreseeable future, so it isn't surprising that the California state schools have a different application system.

What GPA do I put on the Common App?

Colleges don't have a preference on which you report and therefore, you should aim to choose the higher GPA and may give you a boost. For example, if your weighted GPA is 4.3, but your unweighted GPA is 3.75, you should report the 4.3. If you are unsure, you can always reach out and ask the college directly.

Is there a disadvantage to the common app?

5 Cons of Applying Through The Common Application

The Common Application often goes down around deadlines, particularly in the waning hours. That said, Common App.'s support desk is typically responsive and they have a track record of notifying applicants about the glitches and fixing them in short order.

What is the disadvantage of the Common Application?

The only disadvantage, which students can directly control themselves, is that they should not apply to schools that may not be the best match for their interests, simply because it is easy to add more schools to their list in The Common Application. [Get more tips from the U.S. News guide to applying to college.]

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.

How many essays are required for Common App?

Write only one essay (plus any supplements).

You'll submit one essay through the Common Application for all your schools. Some colleges may ask you to also answer a few supplemental questions. Check out the Common App essay prompts now so you can start strategizing!

Does Common App tell you if you are accepted?

College decisions aren't released on the common application. Rather, admissions decisions are released in through each of the college's admission portals that you sign in using a username and password. Every year, students open up their acceptance letters in anticipation of the exciting outcome.

Can other colleges see where you apply 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.

Why do some colleges not use the Common App?

While a huge number of universities use Common App, there are some that prefer other portals or have their own application system. Generally speaking, religiously-affiliated universities and military schools do not use Common App.

Is Common App worth it?

While these two systems maintain some popularity, the wide variety of essay prompts provided by the Common App and the vast number of schools that accept it make the Common App the preferable option for most first-year applicants.

How long is the Common App essay?

The Common App essay word count range is 250-650 words. But just how long should your statement be? Admissions Blog advises aiming for around 500 words.

When should I start Common App?

You can create a Common App account at any time, and your account can rollover from year to year, using the same username and password.

How much does Common App cost?

How Much Does the Common App Cost? The Common App is free to use, but colleges typically charge their own application fees.

How many schools can you apply to at one time with Common App?

Keep in mind you may only add up to 20 colleges. You may adjust your list of colleges at any time. Once you've submitted, you will not be able to remove those schools from your My Colleges list. * While some colleges may charge an application fee, others have no fee to apply.

Do colleges prefer Common App or coalition?

Colleges and universities that accept both do not prefer one over the other, so it's completely up to you. Another consideration is access to financial aid. Remember that the Coalition Application specifically partners with schools that provide generous financial aid packages and/or low-cost tuition.

How difficult is the Common App?

While the Common App may seem like the most daunting piece of applying to college, it is, surprisingly, the simplest part of the process. It asks you questions about yourself that you actually know, like your name, address, phone number, etc. Do not hesitate to begin filling out the Common App.

What's the GPA for straight A's?

If your school uses the traditional four-point grade scale, a 4.0 means you earned straight As. But if your school uses a weighted scale, you can get a 4.0 even if you get Bs in advanced classes.

Is a 4.3 GPA good on a 5.0 scale?

A 4.3 GPA on a weighted 5 scale is an excellent GPA, indicating strong academic performance.

Is a 4.7 weighted GPA good?

A GPA above 4 indicates that your institution employs a weighted GPA system (class difficulty is considered in conjunction with your grades). A 5.0 GPA is the highest possible in most high schools. If you got a 4.7 GPA in high school, you might probably do well in college.

What GPA is required for Harvard?

Final Admissions Verdict

If you don't pass their SAT/ACT and GPA requirements, they'll likely reject you without much consideration. To have the best shot of getting in, you should aim for the 75th percentile, with a 1580 SAT or a 36 ACT. You should also have a 4 GPA or higher.