Common App impact

As a key player in the higher education landscape, we must continue to evolve and adapt to the needs of every student working toward postsecondary educational goals.

Beyond a college application utility, Common App has become a global leader in understanding the needs of today’s students and those who support them, while actively striving to provide students with the belief system they need to find the best educational path.

The institutions that have joined the Common App community are committed to a mission of access, equity, and integrity in the college admissions process. Collectively, our goal is to reassure any student that may not be able to see themselves on a college campus that this is absolutely within their reach.

The impact Common App has made on students and those that support them is humbling and our work isn’t done. In 2019–2020 we saw: 

• More than 5.6 million applications submitted through Common App.
• More than 25 million recommendations submitted on behalf of students.
• More than $92 million in fee waivers provided by Common App members to students in need.
• More than 1.1 million unique applicants -- a third of whom are first-generation -- from more than 200 countries and territories.

Through our combined efforts and strategic partnerships with AdmitHub, College Advising Corps, the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Michelson 20mm Foundation, the Capital One Foundation, the Andrew Mellon Foundation, and more, we are building an infrastructure that supports all aspects of the college application process.

The landscape of today’s students is rapidly changing — it’s the most diverse population of students we’ve ever seen. We can’t support them alone and we’re grateful for your support and guidance.