The common application is the most important piece of paper you will fill out for college admissions. Period. And you need to execute it to perfection. After all, we’ve always said that admissions officers accept applications, they don’t necessarily admit students – and there’s a fine distinction there.

The application includes the personal information section, extracurricular descriptions, academic GPA/test score/award entries, essays and formatting, supplemental essays, additional information, and supplemental material. Remember that at the end of the day you are simply a piece of paper to the admissions committee – that paper needs to come to life to demonstrate the academic, extracurricular, and personal qualities that define you.