During a recent advanced training session for our Collegewise counselors, Arun reminded us to tell our students, “You can’t break the Common App.” He mentioned it because when completing the application, some students get hung up on a particular question or section and stop working. They’re afraid they might accidentally submit the application before they get the section filled out perfectly. That doubt halts their progress when they could have used their momentum to forge ahead and come back later to work on the part that’s giving them trouble.
But it’s virtually impossible to accidentally submit the Common App.
To successfully submit the application, you’ll need to progress through several final screens and input a digital signature. It won’t let you submit it until you’ve answered the required questions that are essentially asking you, “Are you sure you want to do this now?”
Yes, you want any college application to be perfect before you submit it. And not all of them have the protective measures in place like the Common App does. But when it comes to the Common App, don’t let an uncertainty in one section prevent you from moving forward and making progress. Put in a big fat “TO BE COMPLETED LATER” in that section and move on. Then come back later and work on the parts that gave you trouble.
Before you submit it, use the option to print the PDF preview and carefully review it to make sure you’ve fixed everything. Have your parent or counselor review it, too. Once it’s perfect, then go through the submission process. But until then, make progress your friend and remember that you can’t break the Common App.