Navigating the 2025–2026 Common App: What Every High School Applicant Should Know

The Common Application officially opened on August 1, 2025, kicking off a new admissions cycle for thousands of colleges across the U.S. While the core essay prompts remain the same this year, there are several major updates to how the platform works, how you present your experiences, and what admissions officers will see.

Whether you're applying to 5 colleges or 15, understanding these changes will help you stay organized, communicate effectively, and avoid mistakes that can weaken your application.

Key Changes to the Common App for 2025–2026

1. Additional Information Section Word Limit Reduced to 300 Words

Previously capped at 650 words, the “Additional Information” section is now limited to 300 words.

What it’s for:

• Explaining special academic circumstances (e.g., attending multiple high schools or colleges)

• Highlighting additional certifications or coursework not listed elsewhere

• Briefly expanding on significant achievements that don't fit in the Activities section

What it’s not for:

• Writing another essay

• Copying your resume

• Repeating your honors or awards list

How to write it: Be concise and factual. Bullet points or brief explanations are acceptable. If it takes more than 2–3 sentences to explain, it probably doesn’t belong here.

2. A More Intuitive Dashboard and Layout

The Common App has undergone a visual refresh. The section previously called "Common App" is now named "My Common Application," and the overall interface has been updated with:

• Cleaner design

• Reorganized tabs

• Clearer progress indicators

This makes the application process easier to navigate and helps you avoid leaving sections incomplete.

3. New “Challenges and Circumstances” Prompt

This new 250-word prompt replaces the COVID-era “Community Disruption” question and allows students to share contextual challenges that may have affected their academic journey.

What qualifies:

• Caregiving responsibilities

• Family illness, divorce, or job loss

• Long commutes or housing instability

• Mental health struggles, discrimination, or personal trauma

• Displacement due to conflict or war

What doesn’t qualify:

• Mild inconveniences (e.g., “we had to cancel a vacation”)

• Situations that did not directly impact your grades, attendance, or participation

Why this matters: Admissions officers want to understand the context behind your transcript. If you've faced significant barriers, this is your chance to explain—briefly but powerfully.

4. New "Responsibilities and Circumstances" Checklist in the Activities Section

To further support students from diverse backgrounds, the Activities section now includes a required checklist where you can quickly indicate personal or family responsibilities.

You can indicate things like:

• Working a job to support your household

• Providing transportation or care for family members

• Translating for family members or managing financial matters

• Living in a household without reliable internet, heat, or utilities

This allows students who may not have a “stacked” activity list to highlight meaningful, time-consuming responsibilities that are often overlooked in traditional applications.

5. Updates to Citizenship, Testing, and Counselor Reporting

Several behind-the-scenes updates are worth knowing:

• Citizenship and Residency Status: New options make it easier to accurately report statuses like DACA, TPS, refugee, or undocumented.

• ACT Self-Reporting: Reflects the optional nature of the ACT Science section in the new digital ACT format.

• Counselor Forms: Counselor sections now allow reporting of non-COVID-related disruptions such as war, natural disasters, and staff strikes.

• Self-Reported Grades: Some colleges may still ask for your courses and grades through the Common App “Courses & Grades” section or platforms like STARS. Check each college’s policy.

Broader College Admissions Trends for 2025–2026

Test-Optional Is Still Common, But Scores Are Increasingly Important

While many colleges remain officially test-optional, submitting strong SAT or ACT scores can still significantly boost your chances—especially for competitive programs or majors like engineering, business, or computer science.

State Schools Are More Competitive Than Ever

Out-of-state applications at top public universities are surging. Schools like the University of Michigan, University of Florida, and Georgia Tech have seen record demand.

Tip: Apply early and be specific about why you're a fit for each program, especially if you're out of state.

More Applications, More Waitlists

Students are applying to more schools than ever—some submit 20 or more applications. This is leading to:

• Lower admit rates

• Longer decision timelines

• Heavier use of waitlists

Admissions officers are struggling to predict yield, meaning the process may stretch into late spring for many students.

How AI Is Affecting the Application Process

AI tools are everywhere, including in the college application world. While they can help brainstorm or polish drafts, fully AI-written essays are not only unethical but easily spotted.

Smart ways to use AI:

• Brainstorm ideas

• Outline your main points

• Review for clarity and flow

What to avoid:

• Letting AI write the full essay

• Submitting generic or overly polished language that doesn’t sound like you

• Using ChatGPT for personal stories or experiences

Admissions officers are trained to spot inauthentic writing. Your voice—and your story—matter more than perfect phrasing.

FAQ: Common App 2025–2026

Q1: Do I need to write more than one essay?

A: You’ll always need to write the main Common App essay. Many colleges also require supplemental essays. Read each college’s specific requirements carefully.

Q2: What if I don’t have many traditional extracurriculars?

A: That’s exactly why the new checklist and Challenges prompt exist. Highlight responsibilities at home or in your community. Colleges care about how you spend your time—not just titles or awards.

Q3: Is it okay to leave the "Additional Information" section blank?

A: Absolutely. If you don’t have relevant content, don’t force it. Only use that space if something truly important didn’t fit elsewhere.

Q4: Should I submit test scores if a school is test-optional?

A: If your scores are competitive compared to the school’s middle 50% range, you should. If they’re lower, leave them out—but make sure the rest of your application is strong.

Q5: Can I use AI to help write my essays?

A: You can use AI for idea generation or editing help, but do not submit AI-generated content as your own. Authenticity is essential, and using AI to write your essay can be considered plagiarism.

Final Thoughts

The Common App updates for 2025–2026 reflect a growing focus on equity, authenticity, and clarity. These changes make it easier for students from a variety of backgrounds to share their stories—but only if you know how to use them well.

By understanding what has changed and why, you’ll be in a stronger position to submit an application that’s not just complete—but compelling.

Take your time. Plan ahead. Tell your story clearly.