College Search & List
Create Your College List
This process should take approximately 10 – 20 minutes.
Items marked with a red asterisk * are required. Students are not required to complete items that do not have the red asterisk.
Introduction
When completing Common App, you will need to list in your account all of the colleges where you are applying using Common App. In this section, you will use the College Search tab to create your college list in your Common App account.
Preview
This is an example of the College Search page in Common App.
Resources
To complete this section, you will need:
- The names of the colleges and universities where you want to apply
If you are still considering colleges where you want to apply, the Tips & Reminders section of this page and Important Information & Resources page both list resources to help you find colleges that are a good match for you.
Videos
In this video, we discuss using the College Search tab to list the colleges you will apply to with Common App. This section should take 10 – 20 minutes to complete.
Tips & Reminders
- If you do not know which colleges to apply to, use these excellent search engines to create your list. On these websites, you can search for colleges based on criteria such as the college’s location, majors offered, size, and other factors.
- Colleges on your list should also be affordable. In the Financial Aid & Resources section of the AXS Companion, the video titled Financial Aid Information for College: Building a Smart College List discusses how to identify colleges that will be affordable for you and your family.
- In this section, find colleges that:
- Meet 90% of financial need or more
- Are generous with merit aid or that have lower sticker prices
Big J Educational Consulting’s Domestic Financial Aid Chart
Collegedata.com
- Common App can be used to apply to over 1,000 colleges and universities, but some colleges and universities, such as the University of California and Cal States, do not accept Common App
- If there are additional questions, Common App Solutions Center has information for applicants, counselors, and recommenders.
A major is a specific subject that you will choose to focus on while getting your college degree. In general, between one-third and half of the courses you take in college will be in your major or related to it. Examples of majors include Anthropology, Biology, Communications, Chemical Engineering, Business Administration, and Public Health.
Merit aid is non-need-based financial aid that is awarded based on achievements related to things like academics, athletics, music, or civic participation. Merit aid awards are not based on a family’s ability to pay.
