The Common Application

Each year Pine View students apply to a variety of colleges.  If you are applying to a private college/university, (and most public universities as well including UF and FSU, and most other Florida public universities), you will be using an application system known as the Common Application or simply the "Common App.”  This electronic platform has been designed to combine questions from many college applications into one universal document that can be sent to any college that is a member of the Common Application.  Over 1000 colleges/universities now use the Common App. The information requested on the Common App includes basic, identifying information like name, address, date of birth, test scores, grade point average, etc., as well as more subjective content such as essays, descriptions about clubs and activities, and the inclusion of recommendation letters.  In addition, each college may require a supplement with additional questions to which the Common App will direct you.

The Common App website requires you to register and choose a password.  Once you have completed most fields you will be instructed to sign what is known as the FERPA authorization.  You will then be directed to "match" your CommonApp and Schoolinks accounts (instructions to follow). Once matched we will be able to electronically send your transcripts, our school profile, counselor letters of recommendation, and teacher letters of recommendation to Common App colleges/universities.

The Common Application website offers detailed information about the various parts of the application, downloadable forms, answers to FAQs, and online demos.

# Please not there are several colleges that use their own institutional application.  Among these are included MIT, Georgetown and the University of California system.