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Common Application Help Sheet

Create an account by going to www.commonapp.org. Make sure to use your personal email when creating your account

General Information

  • Only questions with an asterisk (*) next to them are required
  • A green check mark indicates a section has been completed
  • Instructions and tutorials are available on the right hand side of every page
  • Application Requirements

Screenshot of Common App navigation tabs labeled Dashboard, My Colleges, Common App, College Search, and Financial Aid Resources. Dashboard appears as the selected tab.

  • Dashboard - a summary view of all of your colleges on the Common App
  • My Colleges - college-specific questions, recommendations and FERPA, and where you will submit individual applications
  • Common App - information that will go to every college on your list on the Common App
  • College Search - add colleges to your Common App in this tab
  • Financial Aid Resources - learn about financial aid and scholarships


Link Your Common App with Schoolinks

To log into schoolinks.com account use your school email address. Your password is something you personally made. If you forgot your password hit the “forgot password” button.

It is mandatory to link your Common App account with your SchooLinks account so counselors and teachers can send supporting documents (transcripts and recommendation letters) to your Common App schools.

  • In order to be completely connected you need to complete these three things on your Common App:
    1. Add at least one college to your Common App
    2. Enter Whitesboro High School as your high school under Education
    3. Complete the FERPA waiver under My Colleges → Recommenders and FERPA
  • On SchooLinks, go to Colleges → College Applications and click Connect (blue button in the left hand corner)

Screenshot of the SchooLinks External accounts area showing Common App marked NOT CONNECTED and a Connect button. >External accounts. Common App. NOT CONNECTED. Connect.

  • Follow the prompts on the screen to connect your accounts


For Community Colleges

It is recommended that students use only the Common Application to apply to four-year colleges. Using other methods, such as the SUNY Application or college-specific applications will result in a more lengthy linking process to the SchooLinks program.

For Community Colleges:

  • Check the college website for the application. Both Herkimer County Community College and Mohawk Valley Community College use their own free application. Most community colleges have a free application available on their website.
  • It is your responsibility to notify your counselor to mail in your transcript
  • Community colleges typically do not require students to submit a college entrance essay or letters of recommendation, unless students are seeking admission to a specialty program (i.e. Nursing, Respiratory Care, Radiologic Technology, and Surgical Technology programs).