The Common Application is the recommended form of 209 selective, independent colleges and universities for admission to their undergraduate programs. Many of these institutions use the form exclusively. All give equal consideration to the Common Application and the college's own form.

Experience with the Common Application over a period of more than 20 years has demonstrated its advantages to students, counselors, and teachers. The concept is simple: Students complete one Common Application form, photocopy it, and send the form to any of the participating colleges. The procedure simplifies the college application process and eliminates duplication of effort.

You can download  a Macintosh or Windows version of the Common Application to your computer, or use Common Application Online to complete your forms and submit them electronically http://www.commonapp.org/ or in hard copy.