The BIG C's: character, collaboration, and curiosity are now in vogue
Here are some examples of ways teens get stuck and how you, as a parent, can help your teen get unstuck and on the road to college.
All About Applications
Okay, you have most likely narrowed down the field to the colleges you want to apply to, and now it is time to tackle those applications. Sounds easy enough, right? Fill in a few blanks, maybe write an essay or two, and then send off your form to the admission office. Not so fast! Filling out college applications is not a process that you should rush, and there are a few things to consider before you start.
First, figure out which applications you’ll need to complete. More than 800 schools in the United States and many schools abroad use the Common Application, also known as the Common App. Less than two hundred schools use the Coalition Application also referred to as the Coalition App. Some schools take both forms, which can further muddy the waters and make your decision more difficult.
The Similarities
Both the Common App and the Coalition App allow you to apply to multiple schools and also let you assign someone to be an advisor to review your application and give guidance if necessary.
The Common App allows you to apply to up to 20 colleges simultaneously, but many of the colleges have their own unique additional questions – and even additional essays – for you to complete. One pitfall for students is not paying enough attention to these individual college questions! The Coalition App also allows you to apply to multiple colleges, but again, be sure to answer the individual college questions with care.
Both the Common App and the Coalition App are free to use, although most schools charge an application fee for processing. Those fees can range from $50 - $100. It can be expensive to apply to a lot of colleges! Some students are eligible for application fee waivers, and I often see colleges hand out fee waivers to students who visit campus.
The Differences
The Common Application is different from the Coalition Application because it can sync with Naviance, the most common college search and management system used by high schools across the United States. This is a benefit to Common Application users and makes the application process a bit easier for students and counselors.
I find Common App to be relatively simple to navigate as it guides students in an easy-to-follow format. Users can quickly toggle back and forth between the main application and the individual college sections.
For me, the Coalition App is harder to navigate than the Common App because the content only appears as you work through the college sections. The Coalition App also often tucks an extra surprise for you – in the form of an extra written response section at the end of individual college sections. Allow yourself plenty of time!
The Coalition App has something called the Locker – a place where students can upload a portfolio of written and creative work over the course of their high school years. Think of it as a storage place for things that might come into play when you apply to college.
So, Should You Fill Out the Common App or the Coalition App?
I suggest first figuring out which application each of your colleges accepts. Then, if you have some Common App colleges, complete that for those colleges. For the remaining colleges, complete the Coalition App. In other words, I like to default to Common App with my students.
One More Thing
While most colleges accept either the Common App or the Coalition App, some schools do not take either of these applications. For example, if you apply to any of the colleges in the University of California system, you’ll have to complete the UC application. Colleges that have their own applications typically post application links on their websites.
With all of the various applications, it’s important to start the application process early!
Before you fill out any application, review all of the colleges on your list to see which applications they accept! Otherwise you may end up completing an application unnecessarily!
If you have questions, I am happy to talk with you. Click here to schedule a free 20-minute Discovery Call to get started, https://www.creativecollegeconnections.com/preliminary-conversation.
By Hannah Serota
Hannah Serota, M.Ed, is a Certified Educational Planner and three-decade college admissions professional. She is the founder of Creative College Connections, an educational consulting practice providing teens and their families exemplary professional guidance, tools, and strategies that inspire confidence and joy on the path to acceptance at best-fit colleges.