The Common App opened this past Monday, on August 1. Needless to say, it’s been a busy week helping students as they begin the application cycle. It’s a great feeling to witness a student take ownership of their future and launch the college application. I did that many times this week, and I know that these kids are growing before my eyes.

Fact is, most of my students started their Common App months ago. Most are now finishing up their personal statements and activities lists — and looking ahead to completing their supplements. Monday was simply the “rollover” day, when the application opens for students applying for 2023-24 enrollment. That means students can actually start submitting applications, but most don’t. Not yet, anyway. What students can and should do at this point – in addition to finalizing their personal essay and activities list (and starting any supplements) –  is invite and assign teachers to write recommendations, and complete all of the easy/data entry stuff (student profile section, parent information, etc.).

NOTE: As of this writing, some schools like University of Florida, Princeton and Yale have not yet opened their applications on Common App (Hey, Gator Nation, I want to feel the love for my putting UF in the same sentence as Princeton and Yale!). We expect these and other remaining applications to open by the end of August.

There’s not much new to this year’s common app. The personal statement prompts are all the same, and other than some new deadlines (i.e. FSU October 15 for FL residents applying Early Action) and new schools (Texas, FIU, Texas A&M, Alabama), the main change is really with individual school supplements. These should not be overlooked or considered optional.

What’s important to understand is that October 15 is only weeks away. It’s now crunch time. Not next week or September 1. 12th graders need to get to work NOW.

And their parents need to get prepared for financial aid season. The FAFSA and CSS Profile open October 1.