Can I create the Common App account for my child? He’s working at a camp all summer, I want to download the essays, look over financial stuff, etc., but not sure if that’s appropriate.
You can’t right now, because it is currently in roll-over mode. It re-opens August 1st. But, I would suggest letting your son set up his own account (you can be there if you want), since a lot of this stuff he will be working on on his own. If you want to find out the essay prompts, just google “Common App Essay Prompts”- they are the same this year as last year’s.
The Common App has little financial info required, you really just mark whether he is applying for need based aid. You might want to look more at the college websites and what they require for FA applications. The requirements are varied in materials and dates. Maybe start a spreadsheet of due dates for him (application materials, FA components, etc) – that is something productive you can do.
Collect a list of all his activities and awards during HS, too. When he did it, brief description, estimated hours per week. That will help when he gets to that section.
I’d schedule some time when he is back to sit with him while he creates and starts filling it out.
If you are curious to see what information you’ll need to gather for the Common App, there are some helpful videos here:
https://appsupport.commonapp.org/link/portal/33011/33013/Article/780/Training-Resources-Library
As far as financials you’ll want to check out the FAFSA page and possibly the CSS Profile (if he is applying to Profile schools).
FAFSA: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa
CSS Profile: http://css.collegeboard.org/
Re rollover: It looks like you can create the account and most information is “rolled over”. But probably easier to just wait.
Also found this:
https://appsupport.commonapp.org/link/portal/33011/33013/Article/3017/We-re-refreshing-the-Common-App-System-on-July-21
Thank you all for your answers. He will be home in a few weeks, I think we’ll just wait. Meantime I will peruse around those other resources mentioned; also making a spreadsheet which is helping me organize these 11-12 schools! :-*
You will want to do FAFSA and CSS Profile yourself.