Common App Kickstart Guide

Stop Wondering What Comes Next.

The Common App is the platform every college-bound family eventually has to figure out — but nobody hands you an instruction manual. This guide is that manual: a clear, step-by-step walkthrough of exactly what to expect, written specifically for parents supporting a first-time (or second-time) applicant.

How it works:

No fluff, no filler — just a real walkthrough of the actual application, from creating an account through hitting submit, plus the questions every parent actually has along the way (Should I do this for my teen? What's a FERPA release? Does finishing the Common App mean we're done?).

What's included:

• ✅ A full FAQ answering the questions parents ask most
• ✅ A "What the Common App Does (and Doesn't Do)" breakdown, so you know exactly what else your family still needs to handle
• ✅ A complete "Gather This Before You Begin" checklist
• ✅ A step-by-step walkthrough of all 10 sections of the actual application, each with its own "before moving on" checklist
• ✅ Real answers on FERPA, testing policies, and what happens to IEP/504 accommodations after high school

Instant digital download. Read it on any device, print it for reference, and come back to it throughout the whole application season — this isn't a one-and-done read.

Built by a career school counselor with over 25 years of experience helping families navigate exactly this process.