What is the Common Application?
Using the Common Application (CommonApp) is the most efficient way to apply to US Universities. Almost every significant American university can be applied to utilizing the CommonApp, significantly streamlining the application process.
Instead of having to fill in twenty different sets of personal and academic information, the CommonApp standardizes the process, saving you dozens of hours in the application process.
Key Benefits:
• Apply to 1,000+ colleges with one application
• Standardized personal information section
• Centralized activities and honors tracking
• Single personal statement for all schools
• Streamlined recommendation system
Personal Information
Your personal information includes information such as your demographics, the school you went to, your parent's educational background, and more.
While there is some information within this section that can affect your overall application, much of it is unchangeable (ex. Your Race), and should be answered as precisely as possible.
Required Information:
• Personal demographics and contact details
• High school information and GPA
• Parent/guardian education and occupation
• Household income and financial aid needs
• Citizenship and residency status
Activities & Honors
Your Activities and Honors are where you have more control over the information you present. The CommonApp allows you to report ten distinct activities (extracurriculars) along with five academic honors (awards).
In contrast to Canadian Universities, which often make you report your ECs through essays, the CommonApp allows you to directly explain your EC and impact.
Activity Categories:
• Academic (clubs, competitions, research)
• Athletics (sports, fitness, team leadership)
• Arts (music, theater, visual arts)
• Community Service (volunteering, social impact)
• Work Experience (jobs, internships)
Personal Statement
Your Personal Statement, also known as the CommonApp essay, is one of the most crucial elements of your college application process. The personal statement is a singular essay, up to 650 words, that should give post-secondary institutions some insight into your life, character and personality.
Unlike Canadian universities, the Personal Statement is not intended to be a brag sheet. You are not encouraged to just talk about academics, but rather real-world experiences that have shaped your personality and worldview.
2025-26 Essay Prompts:
1. 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.
2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
4. Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.
Writing Tips: A truly effective Personal Statement takes real-world experiences and describes how they interact with your academic background. Focus on storytelling, authenticity, and showing your unique perspective.