Common App 2025-2026
Class of 2025-26 high-school seniors (college Class of 2030), here’s the updated, click-by-click guide to completing your Common App.
1.5 million students applied using the Common App last year (the platform’s 50th anniversary year).
https://www.commonapp.org/files/Whats-New-25-26.pdf
If you’re a rising High School Senior - the Class of 2026 (college Class of 2030) - your turn is now.
The Common App opened for you on August 1.
It’s time to create your account, add your colleges, and start applying.
What’s Different This Year?
Three changes:
Fresh visual design (navigation renamed My Common Application, progress bars everywhere). Screenshots in each guide below have been updated so you know where every button lives.
Additional Information question trimmed from 650 → 300 words.
“Community Disruption” prompt renamed and broadened to “Challenges & Circumstances”.
What’s Stayed the Same?
Also noting what didn’t change… the Common App essay prompts (also known as your “personal statement”) are the same prompts as last year.
The distribution of what prompts students are choosing to answer (or link their essay to) is very interesting!
https://www.commonapp.org/files/Whats-New-25-26.pdf
Section-by-Section Playbook
Every post has been refreshed for the 2025-26 user experience update.
Profile – demographics, pronouns, citizenship tips
Family – how (and when) to list step-parents
Education – transcript quirks, IB/dual-enrollment hacks
Testing – self-report vs official scores, ACT “science-optional” update
Activities – 150-character power verbs & the new Responsibilities checklist
Writing Essays – main essay framework + fresh examples
Courses & Grades – self-reporting and official transcript submits
College Questions – decoding “preferred start term,” direct-admit majors
Supplemental Essays – school-specific prompts
Recommenders & FERPA – waive or not? And how to nudge tardy teachers
Submitting – payment, preview PDF, final once-over checklist