Common App Q&A
Your questions about the Common Application answered.
What is the Common App?
The Common Application is one of many ways to apply to colleges and universities. By creating an account, you can apply to as many colleges as you want through one application.
What are the benefits of using the common application?
Without the Common App, students applying to colleges had to go to each individual college and fill out the application. The Common App allows applicants to fill out information once, rather than multiple times for each college. With over 1000 colleges included, students can apply to however many colleges they want, all in one place. Another benefit of using the Common App is the ability to easily view application and scholarship deadlines.
What is the best way to study for the ACT? How many times should you take it? How much should you study?
The ACT is a standardized test that is taken by juniors at South. However, many students opt to take it more than once before or after that initial test date. How many times you take it and how much you prepare is really up to each individual based on what your goals are and the colleges that they’re applying to. There are many ways that you can study for the ACT. Some of the most common include taking practice tests, getting a tutor, doing Kaplan Question of the Day, and reviewing old class material. Based on information from the ACT website, 57 percent of students that retake the ACT increase their score, 21 percent have no change, and 22 percent decrease in score.
How do you submit your transcript?
Andy Dale, counselor, says, “If you’re applying through the Common App you don’t need to request transcripts through Xello.” Xello is only for students applying to colleges individually and not through the Common App.
How many colleges should you apply to? What should you focus on?
Again, this is more based on your goals and the colleges that you’re interested in. The general rule of thumb is to apply to one to three colleges in each of the categories of safety, target, and reach schools. “Students should really try to only apply to 10 colleges or less,” Dale said. As for the most important part of the application, Dale says to focus on the essay. His tip is to, “work with Dr. Whitlow and take some time on them.” Dr. Whitlow is in charge of the writing center, which helps students with any essay.