For example, some schools don’t mandate the Common App personal essay, but others require college-specific essays and letters of recommendation. The guide also indicates whether particular colleges ...

This week, the Common Application opened, allowing students across the country to officially begin their college applications.

The Common App is the hub for students’ applications—including their activities lists, letters of recommendation, and supplemental essays.

The number of financially independent students using the Common Application to apply to colleges more than doubled between 2016-17 and 2023-24, according to a new report released on Monday. The ...