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The Common App is an application that helps students transfer to a new school. In order to use it correctly and make the process as smooth as possible, it’s important to know what each section of the application means. In this post, we’ll walk you through the steps of using the Common App for Transfer and explain what each section means. We’ll also provide tips on how to make your application stand out from the rest.
1. What is the Common App for Transfer and What Does it do?
Common App Transfer is an online application program that makes applying to universities and colleges easier and faster. The Common App hosts a total of 1,000 universities, colleges, and institutions that transfer students can access in one universal platform.
The Common App for transfer makes it easy to apply to more than 600 colleges that accept transfers. Whether you’re looking to transfer from another 4-year college or community college, or if you’re wanting to continue your path towards a degree by re-enrolling, the Common App for transfer can help make your process hassle-free.
By combining the transfer application process into a single user experience, the Common App is simplifying and streamlining the college admissions process for transfer students. Transfer students are alleviated from the stress and worry of having to navigate to every institution’s admissions website to submit an application or merely examine the requirements needed to transfer.
Recommended Reading: Transfer College Using ASSIST
The Common App displays the colleges and universities in an easy-to-use interface and displays the requirements, necessary materials, and other pertinent information related to the transfer institution you plan to attend.
2. How to create an account and fill out the application
The Common App is an online application used by many colleges and universities to simplify the process of applying for admission. The website (www.commonapp.org) provides detailed instructions on how to create an account and fill out the application.
The following steps will walk you through the process:
Step 1
Gather your academic and personal materials such as college transcripts (both official and unofficial), standardized test scores, employment information, and extracurricular activity. The institution requirements will display the type of test scores a school accepts (i.e., AP, IB, Senior secondary leaving examinations, CLEP). You can also identify any continuing education courses you have taken at previous institutions to see if it will constitute college coursework credit.
Step 2
Select the Schools/Programs you are interested in and add them to a personal database. You can filter the results to accommodate criteria like location, size, and program offerings. Once you add an institution, you can begin the transfer application on the same interface.
Step 3
Evaluate the institution’s application requirements and check to see if you are missing any material or documentation. Read the personal statement questions or prompt and identify if the institution requires a Letter of Recommendation to be sent.
Make sure you are classified as a transfer student according to the transfer college’s admission requirements. Some institutions require transfer applicants to have completed a certain number of credits completed before they can be considered a transfer applicants.
Step 4
Provide Recommenders (only if necessary). If an institution does not require a recommender, you can tell by the lack of a “Recommendations Tab” in the “Program Materials” section on their interface.
Letters of Recommendation have to be submitted, more often than not, by the recommenders themselves. This eliminates any possibility of students fabricating letters of recommendation or changing something negative the recommender said about them.
3. What Does Each Section of the Application Mean?
The first thing you will notice about the Common App is that it is composed of four sections:
1. Personal Information (8 sub-sections)
2. Academic History (11 sub-sections)
3. Supporting Information (4 sub-sections)
4. Program Materials (1 subsection)
Three out of the four sections (Personal Information, Academic History, and Supporting Information) only need to be filled out once as it is the information that is commonplace amongst all college admissions (i.e., name, DOB, previous institutions attended).
After completing those introductory sections, students can complete the Program Materials section which is unique to every program you are applying to.
This is the section of the application where students have to complete the Personal Statement or Personal Insight Questions. The prompts for the institution will be made available and students can complete the questions on the Common App website.
The Programs Material section is also where transfer students can add their Recommenders and submit letters of recommendation that they receive (if the institution requires it).
4. Tips to Make Your Application Stand Out From the Rest
Start Early
I know you have seen this tip over and over again but maybe that is a symbol of how important it is in a successful college application. By starting early, you will have time to perfect your essay and gather the necessary materials and documentation needed to complete your application.
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In addition, schools will want an official transcript from you, which takes time to get from your registrar. Do not risk missing a deadline because you were unable to submit requests for information in a timely manner.
Get Help From Experts
If you need help with any part of the application process, seek out professional guidance from college admissions experts or counselors who can assist you in making your application stand out. Whether it is editing your personal statement or helping you choose the right program materials, these experts can help you make your application shine.
Focus on Your Achievements and Accomplishments
Many students tend to focus on their weaknesses when completing college applications in an effort to present themselves in a “perfect” light. However, it is important to also highlight your accomplishments and achievements so that admissions officers can see where you have succeeded in life and can base those experiences in relation to other applicants.
Stay Organized
I can assure you that you will be riddled with anxiety and stress if you are not organized. The college application process is already a stressful experience, so don’t make it more stressful by forgetting important deadlines or requirements.
Moreover, college applications, especially transfer applications, have a lot of supplementary information that needs to be submitted (i.e., resume, college transcripts, standardized test scores, etc) so it is important to stay organized and have a system in place.
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Practice Your Writing Skills
The college admission process places a significant emphasis on your writing skills, so you need to be able to express yourself effectively through written communication. This is especially true for the personal statement or essay prompts that are required by many institutions.
To improve your writing skills, try reading books and other materials and consider making an outline to visually map out what you want to express.
This tip works in tandem with starting early because countless transfer students underestimate the importance of their personal statement and will rush through writing it.
Solicit Important Recommenders
Another important tip is to solicit Letters of Recommendation from people who are reputable and can attest to your professional and personal characteristics.
A letter of recommendation can go a long way in showcasing to admissions officers why you are an ideal candidate for the school.
In conclusion, there are many things that go into a successful college application, including how well you follow the tips provided by experts and how seriously you take the process. Follow these steps in order to create a positive impression with your applications!
Conclusion
The Common App for Transfer is an application that helps students transfer to a new school. In order to use it correctly and make the process as smooth as possible, it’s important to know what each section of the application means.
In this post, we walked you through the steps of using the Common App for Transfer and explained what each section means. We also provided tips on how to make your application stand out from the rest.
If you’re considering transferring schools, be sure to check out this helpful application!