The college application process, as strenuous and stressful as it is, becomes much easier when many colleges accept the same application. No wonder so many parents, students, and counselors love the Common Application. But you’ll love it a lot less if you lose your data!
The 2014-15 Common Application will come offline on July 23, 2015. All current accounts (and information entered into those accounts) will be permanently removed from the system in preparation for the launch of the 2015-16 Common Application.
Students in the high school graduating class of 2016 should definitely be working on their college essays this summer. Just pick the 2015-16 Common App Essay Prompt that best suits your story and craft your essay over the next several months. Just don’t enter your drafts until the Common App is back online on August 1.
Not many applicants realize that the Common App is not the only common application available. More than 50 colleges, including some ultra-competitive elites, accept the Universal College Application. The UCA differs from the Common App in a number of distinct ways, so consider your options carefully. Just don’t save any data on this application yet either: the 2015-2016 application will be available on July 1st.
Mike Bergin