A single application accepted by 1,000+ colleges.
The Common App lets you fill out one application and send it to multiple schools. It includes your personal info, activities list, and the main personal statement (650 words). Each school may add supplemental questions and essays. It opens August 1 each year.
Why it matters
The Common App saves enormous time — you enter your information once. But do not underestimate the supplemental essays; many schools have 3–5 additional short essays. Budget time for those. Also, not every school uses the Common App (e.g., MIT, Georgetown, most UCs have their own).
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