I have a few questions about the common app application procedures. They might be dumb, but I would appreciate any endeavor in answering them.
1.) How would a counselor send all my 4-years transcripts to the colleges?
2.) Does the essay prompt change every year or they are identical for everyone applying in no matter which year?
3.) Do we have to apply for aid while applying for the colleges?
4.) How to apply for aid?
5.) How do colleges certify all the EC someone did? For example, I did an internship, how could I prove them that I actually did it. And like someone has published works, then would it be advisable to include the link to it?
1- your GC will send all transcripts to the schools you apply to. you will link common app to naviance (if your school uses naviance) then go to naviance to request transcripts. your GC will get notified. It’s quick and easy.
2- the essays, have been consistent
- - you can apply for aid through FAFSA at anytime before the deadline (it's seprate from common app)
4- FAFSA
5- Colleges trust you are being honest. they can check through your HS…but rarely do. no need for links.
2)Common app essays tend to stay the same, and we know they are the same for the upcoming 2021/22 app cycle.
3-4) FAFSA and CSS Profile applications will open Oct 1, 2020.
Go to each school’s website to see what their deadlines are for completing the FA forms. You do not have to apply for financial aid, but then you will be expected to pay the full cost of attendance (COA) found on the school’s website. Some schools do require FAFSA for merit aid, so pay attention to that.
When applying for financial aid, many schools (mostly privates) require the CSS Profile in addition to FAFSA. Profile asks for much more financial detail than FAFSA.
FAFSA gives one access to federal financial aid programs…Pell Grants, Federal Direct Student Loans, and work-study. FAFSA EFC should be looked at as the minimum you will pay for college, cost to you may sometimes be a great deal higher than FAFSA EFC.
Regarding paying for college, talk with your parents now (assuming you are a junior) about how much they can/will pay for college. You/they can get estimated FAFSA EFC here: https://fafsa.ed.gov/spa/fafsa4c/?locale=en_US#/landing
Then run the net price calculators (NPCs) at the schools you are interested in to get an estimated cost of attendance (COA). NPCs are set for this year 2020/21 so that won’t be fully accurate. Some require your FAFSA EFC from the above step. Note that NPCs may not be accurate if your parents are divorced, own real estate beyond a primary home, or have their own business.
for #2: the common app essays haven’t changed in a couple of cycles, and have been announced to be the same for the coming admissions cycles. But, supplemental essays do often change and the ones for the new admissions cycle will be released August 1st
And as someone already said for #5- they just trust you are being honest. But if you wanted to show more about your internship, you could try to have your supervisor write a letter of recommendation for you, but not all colleges accept those and it’s better to have letters from teachers. Also, I don’t think people normally include links to published works, as admissions counselors probably don’t need to read the article or work, they just want to know that you have published something.