Jun 8 (edited) • 🎓 Strategy Posts
📝 The Common App: What It Is & Why to Start Now (POLL)
If you're applying to U.S. colleges this fall, you'll almost certainly use the Common Application—a central platform accepted by over 1,000 schools, including nearly every top university.
Each year, students underestimate how long it takes to complete this well.
By the time school-specific supplements unlock on August 1, you don’t want to be stuck rushing the basics. The smartest applicants get ahead—now.
Here’s what to prioritize:
Start Here: Fill These Out First
👤 Profile – Name, contact info, citizenship, language background
🏫 Education – School name, GPA, classes in progress
👨👩👧👦 Family – Parents’ education, occupation
These are quick, foundational, and provide colleges with essential context:
Next: Focus on the Core of Your App
🏆 Activities & Honors Lists
--> Up to 10 extracurriculars & 5 honors
--> Start outlining now so you’re not rushed in the fall
--> Focus on impact and leadership (we’ll break this down soon)
✍️ Personal Essay
--> One main story, up to 650 words
--> Use the early summer to brainstorm + write early drafts
--> Do this in parallel with your activities—your story builds across sections
📚 Testing
--> Only enter SAT/ACT/AP scores you plan to submit
--> Still deciding? Skip for now and revisit after your school list is finalized
🔒 Not Yet Open
Supplemental essays open August 1.
But you’ll thank yourself later if the rest is already done.
Next post: How to make your Activities Section shine (with real examples)
Drop questions or progress updates in the comments 🤍
📊 POLL: Have you started working on your Common App yet?
🟢 I’m already in it
🟡 I’ve opened it but haven’t filled much
🔴 Haven’t created an account yet
😁 Haven't started but not applying this year—so all good
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📝 The Common App: What It Is & Why to Start Now (POLL)
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