COMMON APP - SECTION BY SECTION - START EARLY - SETTING UP YOUR ACCOUNT

Sep 22, 2026

Guidance for completing the Common App section by section, emphasizing early preparation to reduce time and stress during the school year. It explains how to set up a Common App account, describes the two major components of the application, and walks through key profile and family requirements. Advice covers using a full legal name matching official documents, choosing appropriate contact information, and handling optional demographic fields and household address details, including situations with noncustodial parents.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLetters

FormatPDF

Pages54

Reading Time19 min

AccessFree to download

Setting Up Your Account

Common App components

Profile

Personal information and name conventions

Communication details and optional demographics

Address and phone number choices

Family

Household, guardians, and siblings

Noncustodial parent and related circumstances

COMMON APP: SECTION BY SECTION TA K E N F RO M T H E STORY 2 U LTIMAT E G U ID E TO TH E C OM M O N A P P [HTT PS : //WWW. STO RY 2 . CO M /](HTT PS : //WWW. STO RY 2 . CO M /) START EARLY This will save you so much time and stress during the school year. While some of the info the Common App asks for you should know off the top of your head (like your birthday), other information may require some investigation (such as your mom’s graduate school or your counselor’s email address) . A good tip is to go through the Common App once and fill out all the information you can . When you come across something you aren’t sure of, make a list of those gaps on a piece of paper or a note in your phone, so you can follow up with the appropriate people (your parent/guardian, counselor, teacher, etc.) to get those questions answered. SETTING UP YOUR ACCOUNT When you create your Common App account, you’ll see five tabs: Dashboard, My Colleges, Common App, College Search, and Financial Aid Resources . The application also has an extensive (though sometimes confusing and incomplete) Help section . Here's a screenshot: STORY2 ULTIMATE GUIDE TO THE COMMON APP COMPONENTS The Common App has two major components: 1) The general “Common App” section (which is sent to all colleges) 2) The college-specific sections (which will be completed on a college-by-college basis) PROFILE This section asks for basic information about you. You should be able to complete most of this off the top of your head, but there may be some questions you’re unsure of. You’ll need to provide the following personal information: ● Name ● Address ● Contact Details ● Demographics ● Geography ● Language ● Citizenship ● Common App Fee Waiver One REALLY important point: make sure you use your full legal name, as it appears on your passport, driver’s license, and/or other official forms of identification . This version of your name must match your transcript, financial aid materials, and standardized testing score reports. If not, colleges might lose track of your paperwork. PROFILE What does it mean when Common App asks,“would you like to share a different first name that you go by?” If you go by a nickname or shortened version of your name, or if you go by your middle name instead of your first name, and you would like the colleges and universities to which you apply to also refer to you by this name you should provide it in this field. For example, if your legal firstname is William but you typically go by Will. You should avoid listing a casual or colloquial nickname, or your social media usernames. For example, Will would be appropriate to list in this field but not “Fresh Prince of Bel Air.” What if I have two permanent addresses, one with each parent? You should put down the address of the home where you spend most of your time. A little bit later, you’ll be able to write down your other address in the “Family” section. PROFILE What if I don’t have a home phone number? Select mobile as your preferred telephone number, and then provide that number. Under alternate phone number, select no alternate phone number. Do I have to provide my religion and ethnic background? This is optional information, so you don’t have to provide it. However, you do need to provide your citizenship status . What if more than one of the ethnic options provided on the Common App apply to me? You may include all ethnic identities that apply to you. STORY2 ULTIMATE GUIDE TO THE COMMON APP PROFILE What email address should I use? You should use one that you check regularly. If you don’t check email regularly, the admissions process is a good time to get into the habit! If your current email address is something you don’t want colleges seeing (i.e ., something you created in middle school), you should probably create anew email account that is a version of your name . DO NOT USE YOUR SCHOOL EMAIL ADDRESS!! YOU CANNOT RECEIVE OUTSIDE EMAIL A

FAQs

Why should you start early when completing the Common App?

Starting early saves time and reduces stress during the school year. Some information can be filled out from memory, while other details require follow-up with parents or counselors.

What name should you use in your Common App profile?

Use your full legal name exactly as it appears on official identification and documents. This version should match your transcript, financial aid materials, and testing score reports.

How should you handle phone and email information in the profile?

Use an email address you check regularly, and avoid using your school email address because you may miss important outside messages. If you don’t have a home phone number, select mobile as your preferred telephone number.

Sep 22, 2026

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