A Quick Guide to Using Common App for US University Applications
If you are an international student dreaming of studying in the United States, you have probably heard of Common App. It is the most widely used online portal for applying to hundreds, even thousands, of American colleges and universities easily, instead of filling out a separate application for each one. The platform also offers a scholarship matching tool, and many member universities offer scholarships (explained below).
In this article we guide you step by step on how to use Common App to achieve your dream of studying in America. For the bigger picture, see our guide to studying in the USA, and for budgeting, see the cost of university study in America.
What Is Common App?
Common App is an American online platform for unified college applications (commonapp.org), with more than 1,000 member institutions in the United States and more than 15 other countries. International students can upload their documents, write admission essays and pay application fees through it, and the platform has a dedicated guide for international students.
The platform itself does not award scholarships, but it offers a scholarship matching service, and many member universities offer competitive scholarships automatically or through additional applications.
How International Students Use Common App
Create an Account
Visit commonapp.org, choose Create Account, and select "First-year student" if you are applying for a bachelor's degree, or "Transfer student" if you already hold a bachelor's degree or are currently studying at a college. Then enter your email, a password and some basic information.
Tip: use a well-known email service such as Gmail or Outlook, set aside for your university applications.
Add Universities to Your List
After signing in, go to College Search, type the names of the universities you want to apply to, such as Harvard, NYU and the University of Florida, and add them to "My Colleges". Common App sets a maximum of 20 universities per first-year application, so choose carefully.
Important: each university sets its own application fee, and some have none. Common App states that more than 500 universities charge no fee to international applicants. International students may also be eligible to request a need-based fee waiver from the Profile section.
Fill Out the Common Application
In the Common App section you will find six main sections to complete:
- Profile: your personal information, such as name, nationality and language.
- Family: details about your parents and family members.
- Education: information about your school, your grades and your certificates.
- Testing: your results in tests such as TOEFL, IELTS and SAT, if you have them.
- Activities: your activities and involvement, such as clubs, volunteering and competitions.
- Writing: the Personal Statement, with a maximum of 650 words. There are several prompts, and you must choose one.
Some universities ask additional questions. The personal essay is your golden opportunity to make a strong impression on admissions committees.
Upload the Required Documents
Required documents vary from one university to another, but they usually include:
- High school transcript (translated or evaluated if the university requires it).
- Recommendation letters from teachers and the school counselor.
- School report forms.
- An English proficiency test such as IELTS or TOEFL.
Minimum language scores are set by each university, not by Common App, so check the requirements of each university on your list. Almorad Education can help you prepare and organize these documents.
Apply for Scholarships
Many American universities offer competitive merit scholarships automatically to outstanding applicants, and some ask for an additional essay or form. Need-based financial aid varies: some universities use the College Board's CSS Profile to award their financial support. Examples include:
| University | Scholarship | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Boston University | Presidential Scholarship | Worth half of tuition for first-year students from around the world, including international students, if you complete your admission application by December 1 (for fall 2026 entry). Note that BU does not offer need-based financial aid to international students. |
| Drexel University | Drexel Merit Scholarship | Available to international applicants and ranges from $10,000 to $35,000 ($20,000 to $35,000 for Early Decision and Early Action applicants). |
| NYU | First-year scholarships | Offered by NYU to first-year students who are not US citizens or residents, with need-based aid assessed through the CSS Profile. |
| USC | Trustee, Presidential and Deans scholarships | USC administers scholarships such as Trustee and Presidential (half tuition) and Deans, so check its scholarship guide for details and current eligibility. |
Always confirm current amounts and eligibility on each university's official page.
Pay Fees and Submit Your Applications
After making sure all your information is entered, click Submit for each university separately and pay the application fee that university sets, unless you received a waiver (fees vary by university, and some charge none).
Tips for Succeeding With Common App
- Start early, at least 8 to 10 months before the deadline.
- Prepare your personal essay carefully, as it is the most important factor in your admission.
- Apply to more than one university to increase your chances of admission and scholarships.
- Don't ignore your inbox, as universities will email you about anything missing or about interviews.
Conclusion
Applying through Common App makes the dream of studying in America easier and better organized, especially for international students such as those from the Gulf and other Arab countries. With this platform you can apply to dozens of universities at once, upload all your documents in one place, and apply for scholarships and financial aid with ease.
With Almorad Education, let us help you start preparing your Common App account now, to bring your dream of studying in America closer to reality!
Official Sources
- Common App: What’s New 2025-26 — member institutions, application sections and scholarship matching
- Common App for International Students — application guide for international students
- Common App: Understanding Application Fees and Fee Waivers — application fees and waivers
- Common App: Paying for College — scholarship matching and CSS Profile
