Updated: Tuesday, November 5, 2024
The Coalition Application and the Common Application are two platforms that streamline the college application process. While both serve the common goal of simplifying the application experience, they differ in several ways. Understanding the distinctions between the Coalition and Common App can help you make informed decisions about which platform aligns better with your preferences and the requirements of the colleges on your balanced list.
So, what is the Common App? The Common Application, or Common App, is the most popular college application platform in the U.S. Used by more than 1,000 colleges and universities in the U.S. and abroad, the Common App allows you to apply to up to 20 schools using one centralized application — high school students and transfer students can use this platform. You submit personal and academic information on the platform and respond to one of the personal statement prompts. This information goes to each school to which you apply. You can also submit supplemental materials required by individual colleges via the Common App.
The Coalition Application is very similar to the Common App in that it’s a centralized platform students can use to apply to multiple colleges. It’s available to first-year, transfer, and international applicants. As of the 2024-25 application cycle, approximately 170 colleges and universities use the Coalition App — many of which also use the Common App. The Coalition Application is focused on making college more accessible to historically underrepresented students, and its member schools are aligned with this mission. This means they must meet certain criteria regarding tuition costs, need-based financial aid, and graduation rates. Read our Coalition App guide to learn more.
While there are many similarities between the two platforms, it’s important to understand how they differ, especially if you’re applying to schools that use both. Knowing the key differences between them can help you decide which one best fits your needs.
The application process for the Coalition Application and Common App are similar in terms of the information you are required to submit. However, they have some differences in layout. Let’s take a deeper dive into each one.
The first step in filling out the Coalition Application is to create a Scoir account — you can do this as early as ninth grade. Once you sign up, complete the My Profile section, which asks you for personal and family details, as well as information on your academic record and activities. Then, you can build your college list using Discover, which matches you with schools based on your preferences. Your list of schools is saved on the My Colleges page. The Coalition App does not limit the number of schools where you can apply.
Applying to schools is a two-step process. As you complete the application questions and essay in step one, you will make progress on multiple college applications at the same time — relevant information from My Profile will automatically be imported. Once you complete this section, be sure to review the information carefully since you will be unable to edit once you begin step two of the application. For step two, you will be taken to each college’s website to complete their application supplements. This process uses a single sign-on for a seamless and convenient experience.
In general, you can expect to provide the following information during the application process:
Before you can start filling out the Common App, you must first sign up for an account. Then you can use the College Search feature to add colleges to your list. The Common App allows you to apply to up to 20 schools. Once you have added the colleges to your list, you can begin the application process. The Common App contains several sections:
This information makes up the basic application that goes to each of the schools on your list, if applicable. Additional requirements will vary by school.
In addition to the Coalition Application or Common App essay prompts — which differ between the platforms but touch on similar themes — many colleges and universities require applicants to write supplemental essays. The prompts are typically unique to each school and can vary in length. Additionally, applicants might need to submit supplemental materials, such as a portfolio of work — this is common for students applying to programs in the fine arts, performing arts, or architecture.
Students using the Common App will submit these supplemental essays and materials within the platform. Coalition Application users are taken to each school’s website to submit these additional materials.
Both platforms incorporate robust collaboration tools and resources to enhance the college application experience and facilitate collaboration among students, counselors, teachers, and recommenders throughout the application process. Collaboration is a critical part of the college admissions process, so it’s important to be aware of the differences in how these tools function between platforms.
The Coalition App allows you to link to your high school — but only if your school uses Scoir. This allows you to collaborate with your counselor on the platform. You can send direct messages, receive feedback on your college search, and coordinate the submission of application materials as you start filling out your application. Need college recommendation letters? If you’re linked to your high school, you can request them from your teacher through the My Colleges page in the Coalition App.
Additionally, you can invite a parent or guardian to link to you in Scoir so they can provide suggestions on your college list and direct message you and your counselor. You can also find resources on the Scoir website to help you better navigate the college admissions process, including a blog, podcasts, and videos.
The Common Application allows seamless collaboration between you and your support network. You can invite counselors, teachers, and mentors to help you track progress on your applications, manage deadlines, and view individual college requirements. The platform also facilitates the electronic submission of recommendation letters and other necessary documents.
The college admissions process and application requirements can be confusing, which is why the Common App and Coalition App offer additional support and guidance.
On the Coalition App, you can find tools that help you compare colleges, explore careers, calculate tuition costs, and sign up for college visits and events. Scoir also provides access to a database of thousands of colleges and universities, including international colleges, to help you with your college search. Additionally, you can find an entire library of resources that help you navigate the Coalition App. A support team is also available via email to address any questions or technical issues you may have while using the platform.
The Common App offers downloadable guides that can help you better understand the college admissions process, work through your application, and learn more about application fees, fee waivers, financial aid, how to find scholarships, and more. You can also find videos on the Common App website that walk you through the application process. You can speak with a digital assistant if you have questions, check out FAQs in the Solutions Center, or submit a request for support.
As we previously mentioned, both the Common App and Coalition App make the college application process more efficient and convenient. Despite both offering a more streamlined process and plenty of other advantages, they each have disadvantages, too.
The Coalition App offers several advantages:
While the Coalition App saves you time and stress, it also has some disadvantages.
The Common App is a much more popular platform that offers several advantages.
There are thousands of colleges and universities across the U.S., and many of them do not accept either the Common or Coalition applications. Instead, they have their own application platforms that students must use. Some of the more prominent examples include Georgetown University, the University of California system, and MIT. Other schools that use their own applications include:
As you build a balanced college list, pay attention to whether these schools accept the Common App, Coalition Application, or both — choosing which platform to use may be a matter of compatibility with the schools on your list. If all the schools on your list accept both, then you might choose which one is best for you in terms of personal preference and ease of use. Colleges and universities that accept both do not prefer one over the other, so it’s completely up to you.
Another consideration is access to financial aid. Remember that the Coalition Application specifically partners with schools that provide generous financial aid packages and/or low-cost tuition. This can take a lot of the guesswork out of figuring out which colleges and universities may be more accessible to you financially.
Ultimately, it’s not the application platform that matters as much as the strength of your application. And who better to guide you than someone with direct admissions experience reading applications, sitting in committee, and making the tough admissions decisions? Our expert team of IvyWise college admissions counselors is comprised entirely of former Deans and Directors of admission. We know how to help students maximize their admissions chances. Schedule an Initial Consultation to learn more.
The Common Application officially opened for the 2023-24 college application season on August 1, allowing students across the globe to begin their college admissions journey. But what is the Common Application, exactly? Who can use it and when? You can build your college prep strategy more easily by understanding the Common App. Here’s what you need to know.
While the Common Application is the most widely used college application, it’s not the only option for students who are getting ready to apply to their best-fit colleges. The Coalition Application is an alternative that now counts more than 170 institutions as member colleges.
