June 1, 2026 Colleen Hanson
To start your Common App application, visit commonapp.org after August 1st to create an account. Make sure it is the first year undergraduate application for the next application cycle. You’ll input basic demographic information and choose a username and password. Make sure you keep it somewhere safe.
The "College Search" Tab - Start here. The College Search tab is where you can look up colleges that you want to add to your “to apply” list. After you look up and add these colleges, they will be visible in the Dashboard and My Colleges tabs. You can search for the college by name or city.
Make sure you confirm that you’ve selected the right college by checking its address and website information.
Once you have added at least one college, under that college’s “College Information” section, you will see the “Recommenders and FERPA” selection option on the left - click on that.
Complete the “FERPA Release and Authorization” pop up screen - It will say the following:
“The next screen will ask you two important questions about your release of and access to your educational records under FERPA, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.
You will be asked if you want to waive the right to review confidential letters of recommendation. What should you know about this waiver?
- Waiving your right lets colleges know that you do not intend to read your recommendations, which helps reassure colleges that the letters are candid and truthful.
- Some recommenders may decline to write a letter for you if you do not waive your rights.
You will check the box: "I have read and understood the FERPA Release Authorization explanation above.
Then click on “Continue”. The FERPA Form will pop up and you will need to make your selections, type your name in the signature box, and type in the date. Then click”Save and Close”.
After this step is complete, you will need to invite your “Counselor” - Ms. Hanson [email protected], so that she can begin to work on the school portion of your application.
On this screen you also have the opportunity to invite other recommenders for your application if required.
This should be a WTMC teacher or WCC instructor.
Do not use the “Invite Advisor” or “Invite Parent” selection.
For each college you add in the “My Colleges” tab you will need to “assign” recommenders if you want that recommenders’ letter to be sent to that college.
The "My Colleges” tab is where you will see the colleges you added in the “College Search” tab. Detailed for each college on your list is:
- College name
- Deadline, which will be determined by the Admission plan that you choose. You’ll need to go into the “Questions” part of your college and select a term and plan (e.g., Early Action, Early Decision, Regular Decision, etc.)
- Application status relates to the Common App questions, college-specific questions, recommendation requirements, and completion of FERPA certification.
- Writing supplement status, if required by your schools. Not all schools will require a writing supplement. But always check.
The “Dashboard” tab: After you submit your application, you’ll be able to see when the college has downloaded your application.
A word of caution: The Common App questions are consistent and will not change when the online form goes live on August 1. College questions, however, may change. Make it a habit to check the dashboard frequently just in case the college adds additional essay questions. You don’t want to be at 10:59 PM on October 31 and see that you missed a 250- or 500-word essay question!
Common App: Personal Information
The Common App questions in the personal information section is where you will provide
your legal identifying information and basic demographic details. The Common App questions
are asked in this section to track who is applying to colleges. You must make sure
this information is accurate and matches other legal documents that you have, such
as your Driver’s License and high school transcripts. Any discrepancies could lead
to processing delays or application confusion.
Common App: Fee Waiver
At the submission stage of your application, the Common App will have a prompt to
submit an application fee waiver. By requesting a fee waiver you are telling your
School Counselor, Ms. Hanson that the application fees for college applications pose
a significant financial hardship for you and/or your family. Ms. Hanson will approve
your fee waiver once she receives it and you will see it completed with a green checkmark.
Eligibility requirements for fee waivers include:
- having free/reduced lunch,
- being enrolled in a TRIO program (e.g. Upward Bound),
- receiving public assistance, getting an SAT or ACT waiver, or
- being a ward of the state or orphan.
The fee can range from $35 to $90 for each college’s application. Fees quickly add up if you have a long list of colleges. The good news is that most colleges offer fee waiver options for those who financially qualify.
“Common Application Brag Sheet” to give to teacher/instructor recommenders
“Common Application Brag Sheet” to give to your counselor (Ms. Hanson)