Navigating the Common App

Applying to college can feel overwhelming, but the Common Application (Common App) makes the process much easier by allowing students to apply to 1,000+ colleges using one application. Many top schools, including University of Maryland, College Park, University of Virginia, and Johns Hopkins University, accept the Common App. This section walks you through how to use it strategically.

Step-by-Step Guide

 

Step 1: Create Your Account

 

Students should create their Common App account the summer before senior year.

You’ll enter:

  • Basic personal information

  • Family background

  • High school details

  • Testing information (optional at many schools)

  • Activities list

  • Honors/awards

  • Personal essay

Tip: Use a professional email address you check regularly.

Example:

firstname.lastname@gmail.com

Avoid nicknames or gaming emails.

 

Step 2: Add Colleges to Your List

 

Inside Common App, you’ll search for schools and add them to “My Colleges.”

Each school may require:

  • Supplemental essays

  • Portfolio submissions

  • Self-reported grades

  • Major selection

  • Honors college applications

Example:

At UMD, students can:

  • Apply Early Action for priority admission

  • Be considered for merit scholarships

  • Be reviewed for the Honors College automatically

Applying Early Action significantly improves opportunities for scholarships and special programs 

 

Step 3: Complete the Activities Section

 

This is one of the most important parts of your application.

You can list up to 10 activities, including:

  • Clubs

  • Sports

  • Jobs

  • Volunteering

  • Research

  • Family responsibilities

  • Religious/community involvement

  • Nonprofits

Each activity includes:

  • Position/title

  • Organization name

  • Hours per week

  • Weeks per year

  • Description (150 characters)

Strong example:

Organized weekly tutoring sessions for 25+ middle school students; led curriculum planning and volunteer coordination.

Weak example:

Helped tutor students.

Be specific about leadership and impact.

Step 4: Report Honors & Awards

 

Students can list up to 5 honors.

Examples:

Academic:

  • Honor Roll

  • AP Scholar

  • National Merit Commended

Leadership:

  • Club president

  • Student government officer

Community:

  • Service awards

  • Nonprofit leadership recognition

Tip: Include school-level awards if you don’t have national ones. Colleges value context.

 

Step 5: Write the Personal Statement

 

The Common App essay is 650 words max and submitted to most schools automatically.

Prompts change slightly each year, but they typically ask about:

  • Identity

  • Challenges

  • Growth

  • Values

  • Experiences that shaped you

Strong essays usually:

  1. Tell a story 

  2. Show reflection

  3. Reveal personality

  4. Connect experience to future goals

Example topics that work well:

  • Starting a service initiative

  • Supporting family responsibilities

  • Mentoring younger students

  • Cultural identity experiences

  • Overcoming academic setbacks

  • Building something meaningful (club, nonprofit, project)

Avoid:

  1. Resume repetition

  2. Generic “sports taught me leadership” essays

  3. Writing what you think colleges want to hear

Admissions officers want authenticity.

 

Step 6: Complete School-Specific Supplements

 

Many colleges require extra essays after you add them to your list.

Examples:

University of Maryland, College Park asks short-answer questions like:

  • Why this major?

  • Why UMD?

  • Community or leadership experience

University of Michigan asks:

  • Why Michigan?

  • Community contribution essay

Johns Hopkins University asks:

  • Intellectual curiosity essay

These essays are often the difference between acceptance and rejection.

Step 7: Submit Supporting Materials

 

After finishing your application, schools may still require:

  • Counselor recommendation

  • Transcript submission

  • Teacher recommendation letters (school dependent)

  • Test scores (optional at many schools)

  • FAFSA for financial aid

Always check each school’s checklist in Common App.


Step 8: Choose the Right Application Deadline

Most schools offer multiple options:

Early Decision (ED)

  • Binding commitment

  • Apply to one school only

  • Higher acceptance rates at some universities

Early Action (EA)

  • Non-binding

  • Earlier decisions

  • Priority scholarship consideration

Example:
Applying EA to University of Maryland, College Park is strongly recommended for:

  • Honors College review

  • Merit scholarships

  • Living-learning programs

Regular Decision (RD)

  • Later deadlines

  • Standard review timeline

 

Recommended Application Timeline:

 

Spring of Junior Year

  • Build activity list

  • Start resume

  • Identify recommenders

Summer Before Senior Year

  • Create Common App account

  • Draft personal essay

  • Research colleges

September-October

  • Request recommendation letters

  • Finalize college list

  • Begin supplements

October-November

  • Submit Early Action applications

  • Complete FAFSA

December-January

  • Submit Regular Decision applications