Common Application

What's the best college prep that rising seniors can be doing this summer? Preparing their college applications! Checking things off your college application to-do list this summer is a great way to stay busy and will help relieve added pressure and stress in the fall of senior year.

While the Common Application does not open until August 1, the summer is the perfect time for rising high school seniors to get started. Students can create accounts, input basic information, and begin their personal statements. At IvyWise, we encourage students to become familiar with the Common App before senior year so that they can feel confident and prepared as they embark on the college application process.

The Common Application is officially open for the 2022-23 college application season. While there were several significant changes made to the application last year, the Common App essay prompts will remain the same for the upcoming admissions cycle. The Common Application is the most widely used application for college admissions in the US.

Junior year is a busy time for students, and arguably one of the most critical college prep years. There’s only a little bit of time left before summer break and juniors are suddenly rising seniors – and ready to start applying to college. There’s a lot that juniors can do between now and then to prepare and get on track with their college prep.

IvyWise students often begin working with their counselors on the college admissions process in the spring of 11th grade. Although college may seem far away, it's much closer than students think! If you are a junior, over the next few months you should conduct extensive research and develop concrete ideas about where you want to go to college, visit colleges, and make sure that your course load, test scores, and extracurricular activities will help your application stand out.

With admit rates at historic lows and more students applying to more colleges than ever, it’s important for students to make sure they’re submitting the best applications possible. Early Decision and Early Action deadlines are quickly approaching, and as students work to finish up their college applications there are a number of last-minute applications mistakes that they should be mindful to avoid. Before entering the final stretch of the college application process, take time to make sure you’re not making these common application mistakes.

College application season is always a busy time for students. Between essays, test scores, and letters of recommendation, there's no doubt that you have a lot to keep track of. If it's getting down to the wire and your regular admissions deadlines are approaching, don't panic.

In April, we gave you tips on how to have a successful summer, and this month we have one more. Many IvyWise students have been working with their counselor to finalize their college lists and build resumes. They will begin drafting their personal essays later this summer.

For many rising seniors, the end of their junior year marks the beginning of the long, and often stressful, college application process. While the full Common Application and school specific supplements aren't released until August, some essay topics have already been revealed, and many students are taking the initiative to begin working on their application essays even before summer kicks off. While it's a great idea to get started as early as possible, there's much more than just essay brainstorming to complete the summer before senior year.

The college application essay is an opportunity to explain yourself and to share your voice, talents, goals, and personality with the admissions committee. It’s also a chance to display your thought processes and carefully crafted writing style. If you are a current junior, you may think that it’s too early to begin drafting a personal statement.

Now that the early application round has closed, the window to craft thorough, compelling, and thoughtful regular decision applications is quickly closing. Many regular decision deadlines aren’t until January 1, so if you’re just now starting on your admissions journey, or need some help getting back on track, here’s what you need to do now in order to catch up and be ready to submit great applications by the regular decision deadlines. Make an appointment as soon as possible with your college counselor to go over your balanced college list (or what you have so far), what you need to do now to get on track, and collaborate on a plan of action.

The summer between junior and senior year is the prime time for college bound students to start brainstorming and writing their college application essays. The Common Application has already released the essay prompts for the 2022-23 application season, and with account rollover, students can get started on their Common App now, getting the bulk of the work out of the way before the start of the school year in the fall. What does it take to write a good essay?

IvyWise counselors Eric and Rachel discuss the importance of identifying interests, forming a plan to make an impact both inside and outside the classroom, and committing to these activities for the long-term on the Just Admit It! college admissions podcast, giving listeners expert insight from former admissions officers. Listen Now!