Hi, Reader!

We’re heading into summer, and that can mean only one thing (besides essay writing): The Common App is prepping for its Aug. 1 debut!

This year, the Common App is getting a long-overdue glow up to its look and feel, but much of the content will stay the same — including all seven personal statement prompts.

Here’s what you need to know.

 📆 Important timing: The Common App will shut down July 28 for maintenance and relaunch Aug. 1 with the new design.

💄 The visual makeover: Think of it like when your favorite app updates its look — everything moves around, but it all still works the same way … it just takes some getting used to. A few of the things you'll see:

• Navigation moves from top tabs to a side panel
• Progress bars so students can actually track completion
• Better status indicators showing which colleges students have submitted to
• The "Common App" tab becomes "My Common Application"

✏️ Changes that actually matter:

• The Additional Information section shrinks from 650 to 300 words (most students only used ~200 anyway)
• The COVID question evolves into "Challenges and Circumstances" — now covers any challenge, not just pandemic stuff
• There’s a new Student Context Inventory — optional checkboxes for highlighting home responsibilities like babysitting siblings or working in the family business

📝 Account rollover: If students have an existing Common App account, some info will carry over after Aug. 1 — college list, login info, and application responses stay. Students will just need to re-sign FERPA and re-invite recommenders. Any college-specific essay responses you paste in will not roll over, so hold off on entering those until after the refresh.

➡️ Bottom line: Don't stress. These changes are all intended to make the process clearer and easier.

For my complete strategic breakdown of all the changes, insider tips for navigating the new interface, and what this means for your application timeline, read my full blog post here.

Curious About How Colleges Actually Review Applications?

Join College Essay Guy founder Ethan Sawyer and two seasoned admissions officers on Thursday, June 19 at 4 p.m. PT for a free behind-the-scenes look at how decisions get made — including real notes from application files and how to “score points” with your materials. This is a must-watch if you want to understand what really happens "in the room where it happens."

Can’t attend live? No problem. Register here, and you’ll get the recording after the event.

Applying to Texas A&M and Live in the Montgomery, TX, Area?

I'll be hosting an in-person Texas A&M admission essay workshop on Tuesday, June 24 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in Montgomery. In it, we'll break down the current prompts, do brainstorming work, identify potential topics for each essay, and leave with a plan to continue writing at home.

Even if your student is an auto-admit, they're not guaranteed entry into their major. Strong essays can help show that fit to their target major.

BONUS: Attendees will receive access to my Notion website, which is filled with essay and admission resources that I provide my private clients.

I have 7 6 spots for the workshop, so space is limited!

➡️ Register here.​

Happy Writing!

Julia

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