I looked but couldn’t find much info about what the heck these are, just people talking in depth about them. I would like to know what these two are, and if I should worry about them. I am a rising senior, and I want to go to the best college I can get into, my SAT is 2150 and gpa is 3.7, and I took 2 sat subject tests. Tell me the significance of college essays and the common application, I am worried they are something I should be worried about.
-Kyle
It is something you should know about. Worrying never helped anything, but being informed about what you have to do is super helpful. Some college have their own separate application. In my state we have 2 system for public college and they each have their own application.
You should see if colleges you are interested in use the Common Application, many privates do. It is helpful because you only have one form with general info and a main essay that is used for many schools. For some of the colleges there will be a supplemental essay as well that is specific for that college.
2015-16 Essay Prompts (pick one) - 650 word limit
- Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
- The lessons we take from failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
- Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?
- Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma-anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.
- Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.
Thank you so much, now is the essay part of the common application? Is this a paper system or is it online?
To find out more about the common application visit their website: https://www.commonapp.org/Login
Also, you should visit the websites of the schools you are interested to find out what their application process is and deadlines. Some schools such as the Cal States don’t require essays, others such as the UC’s require essays but not recommendations and then yet others such as those on the Common App require both.
You should also learn if they require subject tests or not (most don’t unless it’s very elite and/or it’s a science/engineering major).
If you can visit some colleges that would be great too. The admissions talks are usually VERY informative (and eventually very repetitive) in learning all about the process.
Thank you very much @ClaremontMom. Now I’ve already taken the Math 2 and Chemistry Subject test, and I have 3 teachers writing hopefully shining LOR’s for me. If I apply to less selective colleges such as PSU or Pitt, could I attach all of that stuff to make me look even better and maybe get some $?
You may want to check out their websites. I think in general you should not send what isn’t asked for (others with more experience may be able to address that better).
Ok, thanks again @ClaremontMom
Many schools will limit the number of recs you can submit.
Penn State and Pitt are not on the Common App, so you will apply through their websites. PSU has an optional “personal statement” essay with a very broad topic; you can probably reuse your Common App essay for it. I don’t remember Pitt’s essays or lack thereof.
The beauty of the Common App is that you only have to fill it out once. The same essay and information is sent to all the schools you have indicated on the application. (DO NOT start on your Common App yet! The new app goes live on Aug. 1, and any accounts created before that will be deleted as part of “last year’s admissions.”) Some schools may have an additional short essay (supplement) to complete on the Common App.
You can send your subject tests wherever you want, but Pitt and PSU don’t do much merit aid whether you send those or not…lol.
thanks @bodangles, So I won’t have to do a new essay for every common app school I apply to, that’s good to hear. Do you know any schools in my part of the country that would likely give me merit aid, and are still good colleges?
I was pretty dumb about the whole process and only applied to four somewhat randomly chosen schools, so I’m not well-versed in merit aid but will note a couple of things I found from Googling and from experience.
Temple has a full tuition scholarship for a 3.8 GPA / 1420 M+CR.
http://admissions.temple.edu/cost-and-aid (Click on “Find out more about these scholarships” under FRESHMAN header.)
According to the PDF, they only count academic courses, so I’m not sure whether that makes your GPA lower or higher, but might be worth looking into. (Also, perhaps they’d take weighted GPA over unweighted? They don’t specify.) Temple has an honors program.
Another honors program that might sweeten the deal a bit at one of your safeties is Schreyer at PSU. (Represent!) Schreyer has a separate application that involves a couple of short (but more creative and interesting) essay questions. They don’t consider SAT scores; it’s mainly your course rigor and essays, as far as I know. There is an optional interview that I didn’t do (doesn’t seem to affect your chances if you decline). Schreyer students get a scholarship of $4.5k a year.
There is one common essay on the Common App but individual schools may have 1 or more supplemental essays.
Ok, I see. Thanks for clarifying that for me.
The Common Ap is online. So are most all other college applications. Even the recommendations are online. You will invite the teacher and they will upload it.
I already asked 3 teachers to right LOR’s, I don’t know if they can do that. Is it okay if the teacher send it to my guidance counselor and it gets put into my transcripts?
You need to go to the websites of each school you want to apply to and follow their directions. Some will have their own application system, others will use the common app. As BrownParent said most are online. This is the first time you have done this, but it isn’t the first time for your teachers. I am sure they are used to writing and submitting LORs and if you are applying to a common app school and your high school uses Naviance, they will actually do it through Naviance.
Also, it is not difficult for a teacher to copy and paste a letter, upload a file, or print a copy of a letter. Once the letter is written the method of delivery should not be an issue.
So, please, read the instructions given to you by each school.