The Common Application
Over 1000 universities use the Common Application form which allows you to apply to multiple institutions using one form. You must submit this online. Cambridge qualifications are listed where relevant throughout the portal so you/your school will be able to easily reference these where required. You will be asked to input:
- Personal information – name, email address, nationality etc.
- Education details – you will provide your education record and input your Cambridge International A Level courses as current year courses. The ‘Courses and Grades’ section includes Cambridge AICE/AS/A Levels/IGCSEs in the dropdown list of different types of courses you may have taken in each school year.
- Testing details – IGCSE, AS & A Levels are specifically listed in this section, under ‘Senior Secondary Leaving Examinations’. You will also provide details of any standardised tests you have taken or are planning to take.
- Essays – you will write at least one personal essay from a choice of prompts. This will be sent to every university you are applying to. Some universities will also provide extra questions for you to answer.
- Extra-curricular activities – you can list up to 10 extra-curricular activities and any awards you have won while at school.
Your school will also need to submit other forms to support your application, including a results transcript, one or more recommendation letters and a letter for your guidance counsellor/tutor/head teacher or equivalent.
Although the Common Application allows you to apply to multiple institutions, you will need to check each institution’s requirements for supplementary information carefully. Approximately two-thirds of colleges ask for extra information.
The US-UK Fulbright Commission provides useful hints on how to complete the Common Application as well as detailed guides for international students and their schools.