The Common App, accepted by 500 colleges and universities and used by 800,000 students announced in May 2015 that it will be introducing changes to the 2015-2016 application.
1. New Essay prompts: After surveying 6,000 college admission professionals and student, Common App release four adjusted and one new prompts for 2015 – 2016.
a. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
b. The lessons we take from failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
c. Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?
d. Describe a problem you’ve solved or a problem you’d like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma-anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.
e. Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.
2. Essays Optional: College and universities required students to send a personal statement to “humanize” them in the application process. Colleges and universities can now make the essay optional.
3. Recommendations Optional: Students were required to ask for at least one recommendation from the college counsellor or academic teacher. For 2015-2016, member colleges and universities will have the option of whether or not to require any recommendations.
4. Technical Changes: Students were only able to preview their applications once it’s been completed and can only make three essay edits. With the new application, students can print preview their applications page by page and make as many changes ad needed.
5. Pricing Plans: Colleges and universities were incentivized to receive applications using only the Common App while those who have multiple options paid a higher fee. Now institutions with multiple application options for students will no longer be charged the higher rate.
The Common App not-for-profit membership organization provides services that promote equity, access, and integrity in the college application process.
For more information: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2015/05/15/common-ap... and http://www.scoreatthetop.com/press-news/6-huge-changes-for-the-common-ap...