The Common Application is an undergraduate college admission application that over 1 million applicants use to apply to any of more than 1,000 member colleges. Common App consists of one larger application, but students must work through each college’s specific applications and submit them separately to each school through Common App's portal. Using the Common App portal is completely free.

• Interested in having your academic advisor support your use of Common App?

  • Do not select homeschool.
  • Do select Kolbe as your school, listing your advisor as your school counselor. Doing so allows your advisor to support your application by supplying Kolbe's school report, a recommendation letter, and your official transcript.

• What is the school report?

  • The school report provides colleges with an overview of your student's academic record and of Kolbe's academic environment. This report also includes your student's official transcript. Transcripts do not need to be requested through Parchment for any schools where a student is applying through Common App. Using Common App provides significant savings to families.

• What if I need to apply to multiple schools using Common App?

  • Remember that not all Common App schools have the same writing, testing, essay, and letter of recommendation requirements. Be sure to review what is required for each school's application.

• When can I begin working in Common App?

  • Common App opens on August 1st. 
  • If you had a Common App profile last year, it will rollover on August 1st. Read more about account rollover.
  • Schools may take time to update their specific applications in Common App, with most schools' application being updated by the end of August. 
  • Keep in mind that many schools have early decision and early action deadlines of November 1st. Read more about college deadlines.