More than 1,100 member colleges
Detailed route Common App
One core profile with college-specific questions, writing, recommendations and submission requirements.
North America · undergraduate
Applying to university in United States.
The United States has no single national undergraduate application. A student may use Common App for many private and public colleges, the University of California’s separate application for UC campuses, another shared platform, or a university’s own portal.
Main routesCommon App, UC Application, direct
Choice modelApply to each college
WritingPersonal + college supplements
After submitSeparate applicant portals
Choose the route that matches you.
Central systems do not erase university-specific requirements. They only determine where the application begins.
University of California campuses
Detailed route UC Application
One UC application for campuses such as Berkeley, UCLA, San Diego and Irvine; it is separate from Common App.
Institutions outside or alongside shared systems
University guidanceCollege-specific route
MIT and some other institutions use their own application; always follow the admissions page of the exact college.
How to apply.
Use this sequence as the backbone, then attach the current requirements for each programme.
- 01
Build the college list
Check academic fit, cost, financial-aid policy, location and whether the college meets your non-negotiables.
- 02
Map every platform
Record Common App, UC Application or direct portal for every college before creating accounts.
- 03
Prepare the shared record
Gather courses, grades, activities, honours, family information and testing history.
- 04
Coordinate school materials
Confirm counselor forms, transcript delivery, teacher recommendations and internal school deadlines.
- 05
Write by prompt
Separate the main personal essay from college supplements and UC Personal Insight Questions.
- 06
Submit and activate portals
Save each confirmation, then use the college portal to resolve missing documents and financial-aid tasks.
Document set
Official transcript or school-reported academic record
Current courses and predicted or final results
Identity details that match official documents
English-language results when required
Programme-specific portfolio, test or interview evidence
Activities and honours list
Counselor and teacher recommendations where required
CSS Profile, FAFSA or institutional aid forms where applicable
Planning rhythm
- 01Spring–summer before final school year
Research colleges, testing policies, affordability and recommendation plans.
- 02Late summer–autumn
Complete the core profile, essays and early-round applications.
- 03Winter
Submit regular-round applications and required aid documents.
- 04After submission
Monitor every college portal; a Common App submission is not the end of the workflow.
05 / EASY TO MISS
Before you trust the form.
- A college can use Common App but still require unique supplements.
- Testing, recommendation and aid policies differ by institution.
- UC campuses do not accept the Common App application.
- Early Decision can be binding; read the agreement before selecting it.
OFFICIAL SOURCES
Verify the current cycle.
Last reviewed August 2026. Dates and applicant categories can change.