Savanna Hoffman
The Common Application, or Common App, is an online service that allows aspiring college students to apply for undergraduate study at colleges and universities in the US, Canada, China and Europe. It simplifies the college application process by allowing students to apply to multiple schools from one central location. The Common App is a great resource for international students, as it provides pertinent information about all the participating colleges, including application fees, required standardised tests, and essay requirements. International students should be aware that they may need to provide additional details, such as English proficiency tests, school-leaving scores, and extracurricular activities. They may also be eligible for application fee waivers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Simplify the college application process for domestic and international students |
| Number of colleges | Access to 800+ colleges in the USA, Canada, China, and Europe |
| Application process | Students can prepare a single application and submit it to multiple schools |
| Application fee | Free, but individual colleges may require an application fee that may differ for domestic and international students |
| Fee waiver | Available for students with financial needs |
| Additional information | English proficiency tests, extracurricular activities, and disciplinary history |
| Resources | A fact sheet with pertinent information about participating colleges, essay prompts, and a checklist of requirements for each school |
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What You'll Learn
Application fees and fee waivers
Application fees for international students vary depending on the school. Some schools charge the same fee for domestic and international students, while others differentiate between the two categories. The Common App is a non-profit organisation that aims to make the application process more convenient, fair, and accessible for students. It provides access to undergraduate applications to over 800 colleges in the USA, as well as universities in Canada, China, and Europe.
The Common App also offers a fee waiver option for students with financial constraints. This is available for both domestic and international students. To be eligible for a fee waiver, students must meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Enrolled in the Federal Free or Reduced Lunch Program
- Annual family income falls within the range specified by the USDA and Nutrition Service as low-income
- Received or is eligible for an SAT or ACT fee waiver
- Enrolled in a federal program for low-income families or receives public assistance
- Lives in subsidised public housing, under foster care, or is homeless
Students can request a Common App Fee Waiver in their Profile section, where they will indicate their eligibility and provide a reason for requesting the waiver. International students may also be eligible for college application fee waivers if they meet at least one of the criteria mentioned above. Additionally, international students can seek assistance from external organisations, such as non-profits or educational trusts, to help cover application fees.
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English proficiency tests
The Common App is a centralised application system that simplifies the college application process for students, especially international students. It is used by over 800 colleges and universities across 20 countries, serving more than a million students.
When it comes to English proficiency tests, the Common App asks about the number of languages in which you are proficient. This is meant to inform the admissions committee about the diverse traits of their applicants. The question is straightforward for many students, but others may wonder how to categorise their proficiency.
- Be honest about your skill level: If you are not conversational or fluent in a language, it is best not to list it. Your grades and test scores should support your claims. For example, if you are taking French in high school and have spent time in France, leading you to feel comfortable conversing with native speakers, you can say you are proficient.
- Proficiency in reading generally means that you can comfortably read and understand written text at an appropriate speed for your age. An easy way to gauge this is to read a text in the target language. If you read significantly slower than in your native language or frequently need to use translation tools, you are likely not proficient.
- Written proficiency means that you can produce thoughtful responses in a given language.
- Some people are proficient in reading or speaking, but not both. That's okay! Just make sure you indicate your proficiency accurately. Don't be afraid to list languages that you can confidently say yes to for any of the above questions, even if you can't answer yes to all.
- Feel free to list languages you are learning in school, but only if you are truly proficient in reading, writing, and/or speaking that language.
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Essay prompts
The Common App is a college admission application used by over 900 colleges, where students can submit essays, recommendation letters, test scores, and class ranks. The essay is a chance for colleges to understand who you are and what you can bring to their classrooms and community. Here are some tips for international students to tackle the essay prompts:
Prompt #1
Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful that they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, share your story and be authentic and sincere. Focus on storytelling and bring the reader into your world. Select a topic that genuinely defines who you are and has shaped your perspective and influenced your growth, aspirations, and choices.
Prompt #2
The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure, and what you learned from it. Admissions officers want to know how you handled the challenge and how it positively impacted you. Be honest and reflective, showing your growth and development. Focus on your response, outlook, and demeanor when presented with a hurdle, rather than the hurdle itself.
Prompt #3
This prompt is for students who have spoken up about an issue, changed their minds on a significant topic, or taken a stand for something. Reflect on why this moment mattered and how it shaped your perspective. Show your ability to think independently, engage with complexity, and grow from the experience.
Prompt #4
Reflect on an act of kindness or generosity that made you happy or thankful and how it shifted your perspective or changed your interactions with the world. Focus on your growth and response rather than just the person you're describing.
Remember, these essays are not just about writing well, but also about crafting a narrative that showcases your unique personality and stays within the word limit.
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Deadlines
The Common App provides a convenient way to manage deadlines. Students can create an account at any time and start adding colleges they are interested in to the "My Colleges" tab on their dashboard. This allows them to monitor the requirements and deadlines for each institution. It is recommended to start the application process early, giving enough time to gather all the necessary documents, such as transcripts, recommendation letters, and test scores. Students should also be aware of the time needed for teachers and counsellors to submit their letters of recommendation and ensure they have enough time to do so before the deadline.
For international students, it is important to plan ahead as they may need to meet additional requirements and provide further documentation, such as proof of finances and translated documents. Understanding the specific requirements of each institution is crucial, as they may vary. While the Common App simplifies the application process by allowing students to fill out common details only once, each college may have unique requirements, including application fees, which should be considered when planning for deadlines.
The application deadlines for early action and early decision are usually earlier than regular decision deadlines. For example, the early action deadline for US colleges and universities is typically November 1st, with decisions announced as early as mid-December or January. On the other hand, the regular decision deadline is often January 1st. It is important to note that these dates may vary across institutions, so students should refer to the specific deadlines provided by their desired colleges.
To stay organized and meet deadlines, students can utilize tools such as the Common App's mobile app, which allows them to track deadlines, invite recommenders, and set reminders. Additionally, seeking guidance from university admissions officers, school counsellors, and academic advisors can be beneficial. Proofreading the application and essays is also essential to ensure a high-quality submission. By staying proactive and informed about deadlines, students can effectively manage their college applications through the Common App.
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Additional requirements
International students may need to meet additional requirements and provide further documentation when using the Common App. While requirements may differ between schools, here are some additional requirements that international students should keep in mind:
Proof of Finances and Translated Documents
International students may need to provide proof of finances to demonstrate their ability to cover the costs of attendance. This may include bank statements, financial sponsorships, or scholarship letters. Additionally, any documents that are not in English should be translated to ensure that the admissions team can review your application.
Academic Records and Standardized Test Scores
International students should be prepared to submit copies of their high school transcripts and any academic records from their home country. If you are still in the process of completing your secondary education, you can indicate future test dates or report your school-leaving scores, such as Senior Secondary results for Indian students. Official score reports must be sent directly to the colleges, in addition to being listed in the Common App.
English Proficiency Tests
As an international student, you may be required to demonstrate English proficiency, especially if English is not the primary language of instruction in your home country. Each college will specify whether they require English proficiency test scores and which tests are accepted.
Supplemental Essays and Questions
Some schools may ask for supplemental essays or short answers to questions such as "Why this school?" or "What will you bring to this campus?" These supplemental questions will only be required if specified by the school and will be found in the \"My Colleges\" section of the Common App.
Application Deadlines and Fees
International students should be mindful of application deadlines, especially if applying for early decision or early action, as these deadlines tend to be earlier. Each college may have different deadlines and application fees, so it is important to review the requirements for each school on your list. If the application fee presents a financial hardship, you can request a fee waiver through the Common App by providing financial information or proof of your financial need.
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Frequently asked questions
The Common App is an online service that allows students to apply for undergraduate study at colleges and universities in the US, Canada, China and Europe. It streamlines the college application process by allowing students to apply to multiple schools from one central location.
First, research the schools you want to apply to and review their requirements, deadlines and application fees. Then, add the colleges to your "My Colleges" list on the Common App. This will generate a checklist of requirements for each school, allowing you to submit all the required information. Finally, submit your applications.
International students may need to provide English proficiency test scores and school-leaving scores (e.g. Senior Secondary results for Indian students). They may also be required to complete additional details in the 'My Colleges' section. International students can also apply for fee waivers.
Your application should include a personal essay, a disciplinary history and any additional information you wish to share. You can also list up to 10 extracurricular activities with a description.
