5 Tips to Shine in your US Common Application
By David Tian
(Admissions Consultant at The Edge Learning Center)
By the time you are ready to fill out the Common App, you are likely already well versed in the college admissions process.
You’ve spent hours writing your essays, pored over SAT prep books for months on end, and filled your days to the brim with impressive extracurricular activities.
The Common App submission is your opportunity to present yourself to admissions committees, and you want to make sure that you shine. The last thing you want is for minor mistakes to derail your application and future. Here are five tips to make sure your application file is polished.
Tips #1: Your Personal Information: Get the Basics Right
Would you be surprised to know that many students spend hours writing their essays and thousands of dollars on admissions consultants, only to spell their name or email address wrong, or put in the wrong phone number?
It seems obvious, but many students are just so exhausted by the time they have to fill out the Common App that they just rush through the basics. However, this would be a big mistake – at best, it shows carelessness, and at worst, it can cause delays or other issues later down the road.
Take care to double-check that all your personal and biographical information is correct before submitting!
Tips #2: Use a professional email address
Put yourself in the shoes of an admissions officer for a moment. Imagine you had an amazing applicant, with sky-high test scores, glowing letters of recommendation, and more AP classes than you have fingers and toes.
Right before you recommend the applicant for admission, something catches your eye. The email address is partyguy420@gmail.com.
What do you do now?
Remember, top colleges and universities have dozens of incredible applicants applying for every spot, and you don’t want something as simple as your email address to cause them to question your character.
Stick to a professional-sounding email address like firstname.lastname@gmail.com or your school email address if you have one.
Tips #3: Activities Section: Specify!
The Common App gives you ten spots for your extracurriculars. You do not have to fill out every single one (in fact, resume padding is only going to make you look less desirable as a candidate), but you should make sure that every activity you do end up listing adds value.
• Prioritize depth over breadth. Being deeply involved in a few things is more impressive than light participation in many, and being involved regularly for many years is better than being involved intensely for a short duration.
• Be specific. Instead of “Helped organize charity events,” write “Coordinated a 5K run that raised $1,000 for school supplies to give to underprivileged students.”
• Rank your activities strategically – put the most impressive ones and/or the most time-intensive ones first.
Make sure that your extracurricular activities are meaningful, cohesive, and help the reader understand you better as a person, not just a student.
Tips #4: Test Scores: Understand Policies and Submit Strategically
During the global pandemic, many colleges and universities waived the test score requirements, though some schools are now requiring them again. Generally, most colleges fall into one of three categories when it comes to test scores:
- Test required
- Test blind
- Test optional
If the school requires a test score, you have no choice but to submit your scores. If the school is test blind, then that means the school will not consider your score at all during the admissions process, regardless of whether you earned a perfect score or a mediocre one.
However, some schools are test optional, meaning that you have the option of submitting your score or not. Check the school’s score ranges. If your scores are below their middle 50% range, then, barring any special circumstances, consider leaving them out.
Caveat: In some cases, a score below the school’s average may still enhance your chances of admission. For more information, read this article from the New York Times, and pay attention to this section:
“There are hundreds of less-advantaged applicants with scores in the 1,400 range who should be submitting scores to identify themselves to admissions, but do not under test-optional policies.” Some of these applicants were rejected because the admissions office could not be confident about their academic qualifications. The students would have probably been accepted had they submitted their test scores…
Finally, if you are self-reporting your scores, make sure your self-reported scores align impeccably with your official scores; major discrepancies can be cause for rescinding an acceptance.
Be sure to understand and comply with the test policies of each college you’re applying to!
Tips #5: The Additional Information Section: When to Use It
There is an optional section on the Common App to add additional information. Many students seem to think that the word “optional” is a trick and end up writing an additional essay thinking that the more writing they submit, the better their odds of admission.
Unfortunately, both are false – it is not true that the word “optional” is a trick and it is also not true that the more writing you submit, the better.
If there is truly something important that admissions officers should know about in your application that could help contextualize your file, this is the place to put it. However, keep it factual – this is not another creative essay opportunity.
Some examples:
• Any major disruptions in your high school career (family responsibilities, health issues, etc.)
• Anything unusual on your transcript
• Explaining disciplinary actions
The additional information section truly is optional, and should only be used if you believe there is something unusual about you that admissions committees must be aware of when evaluating your application.
Conclusion
The Common App is your chance to showcase who you are beyond numbers. Take your time, be strategic, and make sure every section works to your advantage. Start early, stay organized, and don’t treat this like just another form. By taking the time to craft a thoughtful and polished Common App, you maximize your chances of success. Your future self will thank you. If you need further expert guidance, The Edge is here to help you craft a winning application!
Need help preparing for your or your child’s US university application? Contact us today to book an initial meeting – we are happy to help!
About The Edge
Established in 2008, The Edge Learning Center has grown into a premier one-stop provider of educational services for Grade 7 through Grade 12, targeting students who intend to pursue overseas education. Our three departments – Academic Tutoring, Test Preparation, and Admissions Consulting – offer a broad range of educational services spanning from SAT and IB Test Prep to colleges and boarding schools application counseling. The Edge Learning Center operates in multiple regions including Hong Kong, China, and Vietnam.
