Common App Schools: A Complete List

Common App Colleges

If you’re planning on applying to college, chances are you’ll be joining the millions of students that apply to Common App schools each year. The Common Application partners with over 1,000 colleges and universities across the country, making it the largest college application platform in the U.S. But the platform goes beyond simply connecting students with Common App colleges — its centralized application actually helps cut down on time, effort, and confusion, making it easier for students to apply to their top choice colleges.

If you’re already familiar with the Common Application, you might be here to explore Common App schools or see if your dream school is on our Common App schools list. However, if you’re new to college admissions, you may be asking yourself — what is the Common App and why is it so popular?

In this article we’re going to answer those questions and plenty more. Specifically, we’ll:

Explain what the Common App is and how to use it
Get into specifics about the Common App, such as Common App deadlines and fees
Provide a list of Common App schools (and schools you won’t find on the Common App)
Discover the benefits of using the Common Application, and more!

Now, before we start exploring the many Common App colleges, let’s dive deeper into answering the question: What is the Common App?

What is the Common App?

The Common App is an online platform that allows first-time and transfer applicants to manage multiple applications, all in one portal. Rather than completing a separate application for each school, the Common App asks you to enter your basic information into a single form — your Common Application. This includes details like your personal and family background, education history, and extracurricular activities. With this centralized system, you only need to enter this information once.

Additionally, along with your Common Application, most Common App colleges require you to answer school-specific questions. Since everything is managed through the Common App portal, you don’t have to worry about missing important questions or application instructions. Plus, all of your requirements and deadlines are organized in one place, making it easier to keep track of them.

Another way the Common App streamlines the application process is by managing your letters of recommendation. Through your Common App portal, you can invite recommenders and track the status of each letter. Once submitted, your recommendation letters are automatically sent to the Common App schools on your list.

Do all schools accept the Common Application?

The Common App began 50 years ago when a small, humble group of colleges decided to renovate the college application process. Fast forward to today, and there are now over 1,100 Common App schools. These schools include public and private colleges across the country, as well as 18 institutions of higher learning outside the U.S.

Of course, not every school can be found among the Common App colleges. Indeed, some institutions choose to admit students via their own applications and platforms. For example, all University of California campuses use their own application and digital platform. (However, there are plenty of other schools in California that are Common App colleges.) Apply Texas is another platform used for admissions to any public university or community college in Texas, as well as many private schools.

Even though not every university uses the Common App, you’ll probably find that many schools you apply to are considered Common App schools. After all, with over a thousand schools on the platform, you’re bound to have Common App colleges on your list.

Do private schools use the Common App?

Yes, many private schools use the Common App (and you’ll find plenty of private colleges included on our list of Common App schools). Of course, some private schools may have their own college application portals. But, generally, the Common Application is widely accepted among private schools.

Of course, for each school you apply to, you’ll want to check their admissions process and application requirements. This will help you confirm whether or not the schools on your list are indeed Common App schools.

What Ivies use the Common Application?

Planning on applying to Ivy League schools? Well, you’re in luck, because all eight of the Ivies use the Common App. Many students seeking Ivy League admissions end up applying to more than one of these elite schools. Having Ivies included on their Common App schools list helps maximize efficiency and minimize stress in the application process.

As a reminder, here are the eight Ivy League Schools, all of which are considered Common App schools:

Princeton University
Harvard University
Yale University
University of Pennsylvania
Cornell University
Brown University
Columbia University
Dartmouth College

Remember that even though you’ll use the Common App to apply to Ivies, you’ll still need to customize each school’s application. As with any university application, your essays will be what truly set you apart from the rest. Therefore, as you research different Ivy League schools, be sure to check out their supplemental essay prompts. You can find them in your Common App portal, or on each school’s admissions page (here are the topics for Yale and Dartmouth).

Most importantly, you’ll want to make sure that you use the Common App essay and supplemental essays to show why you’re the perfect fit to a specific school. Even though you can use the same Common App essay for many schools, you might want to slightly modify it for different schools. Alternatively, supplemental essays are a great opportunity to make sure you show off your unique strengths and knowledge of the school. Remember that college fit works both ways!

Which Schools Use the Common App?

Common App colleges encompass a wide variety of types of institutions. This includes private, public, Ivy League, elite, national, and liberal arts schools. So, whether you’re looking at STEM-focused schools or fine arts programs, you’ll probably have to navigate the Common App for at least one of your schools.

While we’re not going to give the entire list of Common App schools in this article, we will list 75 Common App Schools (in no particular order).

Top Common App Schools List

While all of these colleges accept the Common App, it’s important to remember — there is no universal Common App deadline. Rather, each school will have their own Common App deadline. When you start to add colleges to your profile, you’ll be able to see each school’s individual requirements and Common App deadline.

It’s true the Common App platform streamlines the application process, but ultimately you are still in charge of submitting your applications. So, use all the useful tools, and make sure that you submit your applications on time!

If you’re a transfer student, you will also likely use the Common App. Simply use the site to check out which schools accept the Common App for transfer students.

National Universities

For those looking for large research institutions, check out this list of national universities. These universities focus on a range of undergraduate and graduate programs and are known for their focus on research. National universities can be private or public, and many are prestigious or internationally recognized.

We know that Common App schools include all types of universities. Here’s a list of 25 national universities that are considered Common App schools.

More National Universities Common App Schools List

These Common App schools are best for those students looking for a large campus and student body and who want to focus on research programs. They offer a wide variety of academic programs, usually spanning from bachelor’s to doctoral degrees.

Liberal Arts Colleges

Many students prefer to apply to institutions that offer a broad education across various disciplines. At a liberal arts school, students explore the humanities, sciences, social sciences, and arts. Rather than specializing in just one area, a liberal arts education aims to prepare students for various careers with useful skills. For example, developing and improving critical thinking, analytical, and communication skills is a large part of a liberal arts education. These skills allow students to be successful in a myriad of professional fields.

If you’re looking for liberal arts colleges where you can receive an interdisciplinary education, there are certainly plenty to choose from among the Common App schools. Here’s a list of 25 liberal arts colleges.

More Liberal Arts Colleges Common App Schools List

Remember, this list isn’t exhaustive. Indeed, there are plenty more liberal arts Common App colleges that you can apply to. For students looking for small class sizes, a close-knit community, and an interdisciplinary education, liberal arts schools are a great choice. And, the Common App allows you to apply to them easily!

How does the Common App work?

We’ve said many times that the platform makes it easier to apply to Common App colleges. But, you might be wondering how that works exactly. Let’s take a look beyond answering the question, “What is the Common App?”, and check out how to use it!

How to Use the Common App

1. Create a Common Application login.

First, you’ll need to actually create an account. Once you have your Common Application login, you can enter information at your leisure. Make sure to jot down your email and password — you’ll be using your Common Application login a lot throughout the college application season.

2. Fill out your profile.

Next, after using your Common Application login to enter the platform, you can now start filling out some information. Your Common Application profile will have general information such as family background, academic history, and extracurriculars.

3. Add Common App colleges and review requirements.

Using the College Search function, start adding the schools on your college list. The search tool allows you to easily find your school of interest and view specific requirements, such as essays, fees, and application deadlines.

4. Complete and submit your applications.

After you’ve added all of your colleges and checked out their requirements, you can complete your application. Remember that different schools will likely have different essays, so completing school specific application requirements could take some time. However, you don’t have to do it all in one sitting! Just make sure you finalize and submit your applications by each school’s deadline.

As you can see, applying to Common App schools allows you to forgo the tedious act of filling out the same information multiple times. It also makes it clear what requirements or sections you still need to finish. Checkmarks indicate which sections you’ve already completed. Plus, you won’t be allowed to submit until you’ve completed all required sections.

When to start the Common App

Beyond asking yourself, “What is the Common App?”, you might be wondering, “When can I start using it?” The Common App opens each year on August 1st. However, if you’re ready to start working on your college applications before then, you certainly can! In fact, many college admissions counselors recommend you get started as early as you can — that includes the summer before your senior year.

To get started, simply create an account and start working on the Common Application questions. You’ll be able to transfer your information to the new edition of the Common App that opens on August 1st. However, this only applies to your Common Application — college-specific questions and essays will not be saved. If you want to start drafting your responses to supplemental essays, be sure to save your drafts outside of the Common App.

As early and regular decision deadlines approach, stay mindful of each school’s Common App deadline. While the platform allows you to keep track of all of your application materials, you’ll still need to submit each application according to each institution’s Common App deadline.

How much does the Common App cost?

The Common Application platform itself does not charge students a fee to use it. In fact, the Common App was created as a way to eliminate barriers that students may face in the application process, such as fees or difficulty finding the necessary information.

In 2019, the Common App joined forces with Michelle Obama’s campaign, Reach Higher, which also places an emphasis on college access equality. Both organizations now work together to support students in obtaining their higher education goals — namely, low-income or first generation students.

For Common App colleges, there is a Common App fee that must be paid to become members of the platform. However, for many Common App colleges, this fee is low compared to the many benefits the platform provides to its applicants.

While the Common App is free for students to use, Common App schools may still implement an application fee. This will vary depending on the institution, but it generally ranges from $30-$90 per application. When applying to various schools, these fees can add up! However, the Common Application grants fee waivers to qualifying students.

If you think you might qualify, you can apply for a fee waiver in the Profile section of the platform. This fee waiver allows you to apply to colleges without paying an application fee. Your counselor will need to confirm your eligibility. Note that individual universities may also have their own fee waivers — you can usually find their fee waiver policies on their admissions pages.

Do Common App colleges require essays?

Many Common App schools require applicants to complete and submit supplemental essays. However, you’ll need to check the individual essay requirements of your Common App colleges. Additionally, many Common App colleges require students to submit the Common App personal statement essay.

While the prompts for the Common App personal statement have stayed fairly consistent over the years, they can change. Therefore, always make sure to check online for the most recent information. Here are the current prompts:

Common App Essay Prompts 2025-26

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you’ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

Essay requirements for Common App schools are readily available on the platform. Once you add a school to your Common App Schools list, you’ll be able to see all of their requirements. Additionally, you can head to the Writing section of the Common App website and search the college of interest. Conveniently, this search tool will tell you whether the school requires the Common App essay, or any additional supplemental essays.

Top schools that don’t use the Common App

While the list of Common App schools is extensive, there are still institutions that opt to use their own application platform. There are a number of reasons that some schools choose not to join the list of Common App schools.

For one, institutions can further customize their applications on their own platform. The Common App allows schools to adjust essays and other supplemental information, however, some schools may want greater control of the application format in order to better align with the school’s priorities. For example, schools with a specific focus, such as religious affiliations or military academies, might want to adapt their application based on their missions.

Additionally, some top schools may want to manage the number of applicants. Common App schools aim to simplify the application process. However, some elite, competitive institutions might prefer to ensure they get applicants who are seriously interested in attending. By having a separate application, they could weed out less serious applicants and streamline their admissions evaluation process.

Overwhelmingly, most schools choose to use the Common Application platform. However, you might still apply to some that don’t. Here’s a list of top schools that don’t use the Common Application platform:

Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Georgetown University
University of California system
Yeshiva University
Brigham Young University
Berea College
United States Air Force Academy
United States Military Academy (West Point)
United States Naval Academy
Virginia Military Institute

Beyond identifying schools that don’t use the Common App, it’s also worthwhile to consider alternative application platforms.

Other College Application Platforms

Another platform quite similar to the Common App is the Coalition Application. This platform has a similar goal: to make college more accessible. While the Common App schools number well over 1,000, there are just over 150 Coalition App schools. This is because Coalition App schools must meet standards regarding their support to first-generation and low-income students.

QuestBridge is another specialized application platform with a more specific focus. Their National College Match program connects high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds to partner schools that allow them to apply for free, and if admitted offer full scholarships. Currently, 55 universities partner with QuestBridge.

5 Benefits of the Common App

There’s a reason there are so many Common App schools: the platform offers numerous benefits to college applicants. Without a doubt, the greatest advantage is how it streamlines the application process. But beyond that, the Common App provides several other valuable benefits.

5 Common App Benefits

1. Saves time

When you apply to Common App schools, you can enter your personal information once. Since you’ll likely apply to various schools, this will save you a lot of time, allowing you to focus your attention on the Common Application essay and schools-specific supplemental essays and questions.

2. Outlines each school’s requirements

Once you add a school to your Common App profile, you’ll easily be able to see each school’s Common App deadline and other requirements, including letters of recommendation and other materials. You can also easily find the essay requirements for your schools. Whether they require the Common Application essay, supplemental essays, or both, you’ll be able to find the prompts and submit your essays within the platform.

3. Reduces stress

Having one place to track each school’s Common App deadline, required documents, and recommendation statuses can help students to stay organized. Rather than multiple platforms with various applications, students applying to Common App schools can skip some of the stress that comes with staying on task and organized.

4. Simplifies application process

Common App colleges aim to make applying to college accessible to everyone. They do this by simplifying the application process — especially when it comes to requesting letters of recommendation. Students can actually send these letters through the platform, and if submitted by the recommender it will be uploaded directly to the Common App.

5. Provides access to resources

Apart from keeping each school’s Common App deadline and application requirements in one place, the platform also provides applicants with valuable resources. This includes financial aid information, helpful guides on how to complete the application, and access to fee waivers. The Common App even has resources for those writing letters of recommendation.

More Resources on the Common App

Since you’re likely to have some Common App schools on your college list, you’ll want to thoroughly understand how to use it. From the Common Application essay to the Common App fee, it’s good to know how to take full advantage of the platform.

There are plenty of CollegeAdvisor resources to help you navigate the Common App with ease. One such research is the webinar: Common App Deep Dive. In this webinar, one of our admissions experts shares valuable knowledge about the different parts of the Common App. Another useful webinar is Applying with the Common App. This webinar walks you through how to optimize various parts of the Common App, such as the academics and activities section. And, for insider tips on how to navigate the Common App, check out this Common App Tips and Tricks webinar.

Since so many Common App schools require the Common Application essay, understanding how to write the best Common Application essay possible is key to helping your applications stand out. You can read this article with Common App essay examples and breakdowns of why the work.

Common App Colleges- Takeaways

To recap — what is the Common App? Well, it’s a widely used college application platform that helps students apply to thousands of colleges and universities across the country. While we didn’t share an exhaustive list of Common App schools (there are over 1,000!), we did look at various Common App schools list, such as some national universities and liberal arts colleges. Additionally, we saw a list of 75 top universities that use the Common App. These schools include public and private, as well as liberal arts and research universities.

Additionally, we learned plenty about how to use the Common App and some of its many benefits. Most notably, the Common App allows you to fill out certain information only once to send to various schools. But remember that there is no single Common App deadline, rather each school will have its own Common App deadline. However, you can keep track of your deadlines, requirements, and letters of recommendation on the platform. Once you’ve added your colleges to your profile, this information will be easily accessible, helping you stay organized through the entire college application process.

Get familiar with the most popular application

The Common Application is the most widely used college application platform — and for good reason. It was created to make the college admissions process more accessible, and it still does that today with over 1,100 participating schools and fee waivers for students who qualify. If you have questions about the Common App or any part of the application process, don’t hesitate to connect with an admissions expert at CollegeAdvisor. We’re here to help you every step of the way.

This article was written by Sarah Kaminski. Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.