Thanks to Common App for great webinar update today….Here’s points to remember come August 1st, 2025
The 2025–2026 Common App cycle launches August 1, 2025. Below is a recap of the most important changes, features, and reminders for students and parents working through the application process. Whether you're applying to one school or twenty, these updates aim to make your experience smoother and more supportive.
✨ No Changes to Essay Prompts
· The seven personal essay prompts will remain the same as last year, allowing students to begin drafting early.
· This consistency helps students focus more on authentic storytelling than adjusting to new topics.
🆕 User Interface Update
• The Common App now has a redesigned layout with a left-side navigation menu (instead of tabs on top).
• Students will see clearer dashboards, progress tracking bars, and easier navigation between sections.
• College Search, Financial Aid, and Scholarship tools have their own dedicated tabs under a new 'Explore' category.
✍️ Essay & Writing Section Changes
Ø The Additional Information question is now limited to 300 words (down from 650).
Ø The optional ‘Community Disruption’ question has been renamed to ‘Challenges and Circumstances’ to better reflect a broader range of personal hardships.
Ø Students should only respond to this question if they have significant context to provide.
📋 Student Responsibilities Checklist Added
Ø A new checklist in the Activities section lets students report significant responsibilities like caregiving, financial support, or household duties.
Ø This optional section does not include an essay—just checkboxes to highlight unseen commitments.
💸 Expanded Scholarship Matching
• The Common App now matches eligible students with local and national scholarships before they apply to college.
• Students with U.S. addresses are automatically matched; Colorado students must opt in during account creation.
• To be matched, complete your Profile, Education, and Activities sections early.
📬 Direct Admissions Offers
• Over 700,000 students received direct admissions offers this year from 136 colleges, including public institutions.
• Many offers come with waived requirements (e.g., no essays, no letters). Students can review offers directly in the application.
🏫 Community Colleges Now on Common App
• Students can now apply to a growing number of community colleges using the Common App.
• A new filter allows you to search specifically for associate-degree granting institutions.
📌 Final Reminders
• Students can add up to 20 colleges in their Common App account.
• Recommender and advisor invites DO NOT roll over after August 1—students must re-invite teachers and counselors after signing the new FERPA waiver.
• Counselor and teacher accounts remain active and may carry over students from previous years.