•  The Common Application
     
     
     VIDEO TUTORIALS FOR THE COMMON APPLICATION PROCESS:
     
     
     
    There is also a mobile option for students to use and track your applications: https://drive.google.com/a/commonapp.org/file/d/0B8T7VG8uKGE0cWFBMW9NYVFRLWs/view?ts=565df7b5&pli=1
     
     
    Read ALL the Directions on the application and from each school!
     
    The Common Application is a not-for-profit membership organization that, since its founding over 35 years ago, has been committed to providing reliable services that promote equity, access, and integrity in the college application process. They serve students, member institutions, and secondary schools by providing applications - online and in print - that students and school officials may submit to any of their more than 450 members. Membership is open to colleges and universities that promote access by evaluating students using a holistic selection process.
     
    Common Application Essay Prompts:
    • The new admission application prompts were created to enable applicants to tell their unique stories as part of a holistic selection process.
    • Students are instructed to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic that "helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice" and enables "readers of your application to know you apart from courses, grades, and test scores" using the prompt "to inspire and structure your response".
    • The Common Application will also be placing a limit of 650 words for the "personal statement" essay with the caveat that 650 words is the limit, not the goal. The application will not accept a response shorter than 250 words.
    We are pleased to share the 2016-2017 Essay Prompts with you. New language appears in italics:

    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 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?
     
    3. Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea.  What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?
     
    4. 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.
     
    5. Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.