Applying for College
Common Questions for Applicants
GENERAL QUESTIONS
WHAT IS THE COMMON APPLICATION?
The Common Application is a not-for-profit organization that serves students and member institutions by providing an admission application – online and in print – that students may submit to any of our 415 members.
WHY USE IT?
Once completed online or in print, copies of the Application for Undergraduate Admission can be sent to any number of participating colleges. The same is true of the School Report, Midyear Report, Final Report and Teacher Evaluation forms. This allows you to spend less time on the busywork of applying for admission, and more time on what's really important: college research, visits, essay writing, and senior year coursework.
IS IT WIDELY USED?
Absolutely! Millions of Common Applications are printed and accepted by our members each year. In addition, last year almost 2 Million applications were submitted via the Common App Online.
IS IT TREATED FAIRLY?
YES! Our college and university members have worked together over the past 35 years to develop the application. All members fully support its use, and all give equal consideration to the Common Application and the college's own form. Many of our members use the Common Application as their only undergraduate admission application.
CAN ALL COLLEGES PARTICIPATE?
Membership is limited to colleges and universities that evaluate students using a holistic selection process. A holistic process includes subjective as well as objective criteria, including at least one recommendation form, at least one untimed essay, and broader campus diversity considerations. The vast majority of colleges and universities in the US use only objective criteria – grades and test scores – and therefore are not eligible to join. If a college or university is not listed on this website, they are not members of the consortium. Sending the Common Application to non-members is prohibited.
WHAT IS THE COMMON APP ONLINE SCHOOL FORMS SYSTEM?
As part of the application process, schools require a variety of information to be provided by teachers and guidance counselors who have interacted with you in the high school environment. Until last year, those forms were only available as PDF files that could be printed, copied, and mailed to the appropriate colleges. Now each teacher and counselor will have the option to complete the forms online via the Common App Online School Forms system if they desire. There is no cost to you or high schools, and using the online system is completely optional for your teachers and counselor.
When you create an account on the Common App Online, you must first indicate what high school you attend. Once this information has been saved, you can access a 'School Forms' section of the Common App where teachers and counselors can be identified. By adding a teacher or counselor to the list of school officials, an email is triggered to the teacher or counselor with information about how to log into the Online School Forms system or how to opt for the "offline" or paper process. You are then able to track the progress of your various teachers and counselors via a screen within the Common App Online.
Click here to access the Common Application!
Which SUNY Are You?
Find a fit by matching your interests to SUNY campuses - by major, sports, or location preferences - and learn which campuses offer programs of interest to you. Across New York State, you will find great places to live and learn! Explore SUNY campuses, search options, academic programs, paying for college resources, athletics, and activities and events by clicking on the links below. And, when you're ready, simply submit your application for admission online.
We're just a call, click, e-mail message, or online chat away!
The SUNY Recruitment Response Center, in Albany, New York, is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and skilled telecounselors handle hundreds of calls daily. Our telecounselors are resources for questions related to completing and submitting an application for admission, exploring programs of study, and obtaining information about individual campuses. They also respond to e-mail and instant message inquiries.
SUNY campus Admissions Offices provide direct contact with counselors who can answer questions about academic programs, admissions criteria, and student life. You may encounter campus admissions staff throughout the year, as they attend college fairs and visit high schools. SUNY campus web sites also provide lots of information that will be helpful in your college search
The SUNY Center for Student Recruitment (CSR), to located in New York City, provides information about all SUNY campuses to New York City area students, their families, as well as high school and agency counselors. Knowledgeable and experienced counselors visit area high schools, agencies, and community colleges and answer questions about programs of study and applying for admission and financial assistance. Throughout the year, the CSR hosts a variety of workshops and visit programs.
