Common Application Updates

The college application season is underway, and with each new cycle come updates that students and families need to know. On this episode of Getting In: A College Coach Conversation, host Dina Birmingham sits down with several College Coach colleagues to break down some of the most important application changes for the year ahead.

First, College Coach Mikhail Filarski joins the show to discuss updates to the Common Application, which mainly occurred in the Activities & Experiences List and making which colleges accept fee waivers more transparent.

Next, College Coach Landis Fryer tackles supplemental essays in a segment called "What's Supp?" Landis reviews key supplemental essay updates and trends emerging this admissions cycle. While future episodes will take a deeper look at the essay requirements for specific colleges, this conversation provides a broad overview of the changes students should be aware of.

Finally, Finance Expert Russell Seidelmann addresses merit scholarships. Are separate applications required? When do students need to apply? He shares what families should know about the process and how to maximize opportunities for scholarship consideration.