📘 1. Academic Materials
These are the foundation of your application. Double-check accuracy and school-specific requirements.
- Transcript(s): Your official high school transcript, including senior year courses.
- Standardized Test Scores: SAT or ACT scores (only if required by the colleges you're applying to).
- School Report: Submitted by your counselor and includes your GPA, class rank (if available), and grading scale.
✍️ 2. Core Application Components
These items tell your story and reflect your personal voice.
- Common App Essay: A personal statement of up to 650 words submitted to all schools.
- Supplemental Essays: Short-answer or essay responses unique to each college. Topics and word counts vary.
🤝 3. Supporting Documents
These documents add context, credibility, and dimension to your application.
- Letters of Recommendation:
- Typically two from academic subject teachers.
- One from your school counselor.
- Resume/Activity List: (Optional but strongly recommended)
- Include extracurriculars, volunteer work, jobs, honors, and leadership roles.
🏠 4. Family & Background Information
This section helps schools understand your broader context.
- Parent/guardian education levels and occupations
- Household size and income (important for financial aid consideration)
🎨 5. Additional Items (College-Specific Requirements)
Depending on your program or target schools, you may also need:
- Portfolio or Audition: Required for arts, music, theater, or design programs.
- Fee Waiver Form: If you’re requesting a fee waiver, your counselor must approve it through the application.
💡 Pro Tip: Stay Organized
Create a digital master folder to store all documents. Use consistent file naming like:
"Smith_Transcript_2025.pdf" or "Smith_Resume_CommonApp.pdf"