The Common App officially opened on August 1, 2025, and now’s the time to map out a strategic, efficient, and intentional application process. This guide, hand prepared by our AtomicMind coaches, is your step-by-step companion through each section, updated changes, and expert pro tips to help you present your strongest application.

Timeline & Planning Tips

When should you do what? Here’s how to stay ahead of the curve.

The college application process moves fast once senior year begins. That’s why we recommend building your Common App strategy before school starts. The summer before senior year is your golden window—use it to draft essays, organize your activities list, and research your college list. Here’s a timeline to help you make the most of it:

• Create your Common App account as early as July using a personal email you check regularly.
• Start drafting your personal statement and activities now—don’t wait for August.
• Aim to finalize your Common App by late September—even though most Early Action deadlines fall on November 1, filling out the administrative part ahead of time gives you breathing room to work on supplemental essays and reduce stress.

Creating Your Account & Building Your College List

Starting early means you’ll have more time to focus on quality.

Opening a Common App account only takes a few minutes—but it unlocks everything else. Once you’re in, you’ll be able to search for colleges, track deadlines, and eventually submit your applications. This is your central dashboard for the entire process.

• Sign up at commonapp.org using an email address you’ll keep through next summer.
• Select “First-Year Student” and “Entering college in 2026” when prompted.
• Add schools to your My Colleges list, but wait until August 1 to start completing school-specific questions and supplements—they don’t roll over.

A New Look: Navigating the Updated Common App

The interface just got a facelift—and it’s a good one.

This year, the Common App has introduced a cleaner, more intuitive layout. If you’ve used the platform before, expect a few changes. But if this is your first time, don’t worry—the new structure is easier to navigate than ever.

• A modernized dashboard makes progress tracking easier.
• “Common App” is now called “My Common Application”—with tabs like “Apply,” “Explore,” and “My Colleges.”
• You’ll see green check marks and progress bars to help you stay on track.

Section-by-Section: What You’ll Need to Fill Out

Here’s what each section covers—and what to keep in mind as you go.

The Common App is broken into several key sections. Each one helps colleges understand a different piece of your story. Take your time, and make sure each part is consistent, accurate, and true to who you are.

Profile & Demographics

This section covers basic info like your name, address, and contact details. It also includes citizenship status—with updated language this year to include a broader range of U.S. residency options like DACA, TPS, and refugee/asylee status.

Family

Here, you’ll share your household background, including your parents’ education and occupation. Be honest and accurate—this context helps colleges better understand your journey.

Education & Coursework

List your current high school, GPA, and classes in progress. Some colleges may also require you to self-report your full transcript through Courses & Grades or STARS, the new Self-Reported Transcript system.

Testing

You’ll have the option to self-report SAT, ACT, or other standardized tests—depending on each college’s testing policy. Starting this year, ACT scores can be reported with or without science or writing sections, reflecting changes to the digital test format.

Activities & Responsibilities

This is where you show how you spend your time outside of class. List up to 10 meaningful activities, and describe your role and impact.

‍New this year: A required checklist called “Responsibilities and Circumstances” lets you share personal obligations—like caring for siblings or managing health challenges—that may have shaped your availability or academic journey.

Writing & Essays

The Personal Statement remains unchanged: up to 650 words, with a choice of seven prompts.

The Challenges and Circumstances question (formerly the COVID-19 question) now invites students to share any significant disruptions they’ve faced—still optional, and max 250 words.

Additional Info & College Supplements

Use the Additional Info section only if necessary to explain something not captured elsewhere (limit: 1,500 characters).

‍Note: School supplements vary, sometimes even from year to year. As such, don’t begin those until you’ve added colleges after August 1 so you can see the updated prompts in the system. 

Recommenders & FERPA

Before you can invite your teachers or counselor, you’ll need to complete the FERPA waiver. If your high school uses a platform like Naviance or MaiaLearning, you’ll send recommender invites through that system—not through Common App directly.

Expert Tips for a Stronger Application

Beyond filling out forms, here’s how to stand out.

Getting everything done is one thing—getting it done well is another. These tips will help you elevate your application from good to exceptional:

• Start early, revise often: Draft your personal statement and activity list in Google Docs before pasting them into the app. That way, you can revise freely and avoid rollover cutoffs.
• Show your authentic voice: Colleges want to know you, not your thesaurus. Avoid writing like AI and focus on clarity, warmth, and insight.
• Balance your list: Aim for a mix of safety, target, and reach schools—and don’t be afraid to apply to lesser-known colleges if they fit your goals.
• Use the checklist question: The new “Responsibilities and Circumstances” section is a powerful way to offer insight without writing another essay.

Quick Checklist to Stay On Track

This at-a-glance guide will help you pace your application.

Final Thoughts

The 2025–26 Common App updates reflect a larger shift in college admissions: more clarity, more context, and a broader understanding of what shapes a student’s journey. With new questions, updated navigation, and better tools for personal storytelling, this year’s platform is designed to help students be seen—both for what they’ve achieved and for the circumstances they’ve overcome.

Most of these changes—though relatively small—are thoughtful, student-centered updates designed to streamline the process and reduce unnecessary obstacles. From interface improvements to policy reforms, the Common App continues to evolve with an eye toward equity, clarity, and usability.

As always, AtomicMind is here to guide you through every step of the process. Whether you’re just getting started or fine-tuning your final applications, we’ll help you make every section of your Common App count.