It is Almost Common Application Time!

In ten more days the Common Application- now with its sleek new James Bond name, “The CA4” will open the portal for hopeful high school seniors beginning  the college admission process.  This new and improved version of The Common Application comes complete with new essay prompts as well as some savvy changes ( no more athletic supplement) for those with siblings who have already experienced this journey.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with what a Common Application even is, times have certainly changed from the day where applying to college meant filling out a multi- paged application, dotting i’s and crossing t’s, then ushering the large manila envelopes into the postal box…and the abyss.  Several long months later, students receive an equally large envelope in the mail with an acceptance, or a very thin envelope with regrets.  And so, in April students around the world rush their mailboxes for a special present, one that will dictate their future, or at least the next four years of their life.

In the 21st century, technology has in many ways, replaced the post box and The Common Application magically  enabling a student to submit one application for many colleges and universities simultaneously.  Of course, not all institutions accept this form of submission therefore, the post box is still the norm when applying to a variety of schools. While applying on line seems simple and less complex (you don’t have to worry about hand-writing), it can create a false sense of perfection.  Just because you are completing an on-line application does not mean that you can not err.  Ultimately, you want to make sure that before you hit “submit” you print out a copy of The Common Application and have a second or third set of eyes read every conceivable line.  Moreover, the all important essay and the supplements are submitted through this system so spell check can not monitor everything!  Many a decision has been swayed by and admission officer reading an essay about a student’s first choice school UCONN, when the reader is actually from The University of Another School. Yikes!  When the time comes and you need assistance in completing The Common Application or guidance with the essays/supplements you can  always utilize the skill and expertise of a college consultant to make sure you are on the right track.  If you are applying to multiple schools, some require The Common Application submission and others require snail mail, the process can become overwhelming so organization is key. 

So sharpen your pencils high school seniors, carefully cultivate your college list, narrow down your choices and make some real decisions as to which colleges are a good fit for you.  When the decision making process is complete, the application stage is set and it is time to begin The Common Application and/or begin (neatly, I might add) your hardcopy applications.  Remember the tips outlined above and if you need some guidance, contact The Collegeologist, always available to help.  

The Collegeologist is an independent college consultation practice which simplifies the college process for students and parents in the Farmington Valley area. Located at 395 West Avon Road in Avon (Across from All-Star Driver). Tel. 860-673-1500 www.thecollegeologist.com. Call for a complimentary consultation. Office visits, email & Skype are available. Like the Collegeologist on FB and follow us on twitter @thecollegeologist.

©The Collegeologist 2013.