Think You're Done After You Click "Submit" on the Common App? Think Again.
For years, students have celebrated the moment they click "Submit" on the Common Application. It feels like the finish line.
This application cycle, however, many students are discovering that submitting the Common App doesn't necessarily mean they've finished applying.
More colleges are using their individual applicant portals as an extension of the application process—not just a place to check application status. Depending on the college, students may be asked to complete additional essays, answer institution-specific questions, submit a video introduction, apply for honors programs or scholarships, or upload additional materials after they've already submitted the Common App.
That's why one of the most important pieces of college admissions advice I can give this year is simple:
Read every instruction. Read every email. Log into every applicant portal.
The Common App May Be Just the First Step
After submitting the Common App, colleges typically send students an email with instructions for activating their applicant portal.
Many families assume this portal is simply where they'll watch checklist items turn green.
Increasingly, that's no longer the case.
For many colleges, the applicant portal has become an active part of the admissions process, where students may find additional requirements that must be completed before their application is considered complete.
These requirements might include:
Additional supplemental essays
Short-answer questions
Honors college applications
Merit scholarship applications
Program-specific requirements
Self-reported academic records
Financial aid forms
Optional video introductions
Requests for additional documents
If students don't activate their portal or carefully review the instructions, they could unknowingly leave their application incomplete.
Every College Has Its Own Process
One of the biggest misconceptions about college admissions is that every school follows the same application process.
They don't.
Some colleges require nothing beyond the Common App.
Others use their applicant portals to gather additional information that helps them evaluate applicants or determine eligibility for scholarships, honors programs, or specialized academic opportunities.
For example, Brown University invites applicants to submit a 90-second video introduction through its applicant portal after receiving their login credentials. The video isn't intended to be polished or scripted. Instead, it's an opportunity for admissions officers to learn more about the student beyond the written application.
At Northwestern University, applicants have the opportunity to submit an optional Glimpse video after applying. Students also use the Northwestern Applicant Portal to manage additional application materials and monitor any remaining requirements.
Meanwhile, the University of Southern California (USC) uses its applicant portal to communicate program-specific requirements and collect additional materials for many majors, including portfolios, auditions, and other school-specific submissions. For students applying to certain USC programs, submitting the Common App is only one step in completing the application.
These are just a few examples.
Other colleges may use their applicant portals for scholarship applications, honors college applications, additional institutional questions, residency verification, or other requirements unique to that institution.
The important point is this: every college has its own process.
Attention to Detail Matters
College admissions isn't only about grades, test scores, and essays.
It's also about demonstrating that you can successfully navigate a complex process.
Admissions offices expect students to carefully read instructions, monitor their email, and complete every required step.
A missed supplemental essay, forgotten questionnaire, or overlooked portal request can leave an application incomplete—not because the student wasn't qualified, but because an important requirement was never submitted.
Fortunately, this is one of the easiest mistakes to avoid.
Create a Simple Checklist
I encourage every student to keep a checklist for each college that includes:
✓ Common App submitted
✓ Applicant portal activated
✓ Portal reviewed for additional requirements
✓ Supplemental essays completed
✓ Honors or scholarship applications submitted (if applicable)
✓ Additional program materials uploaded
✓ Financial aid requirements completed
✓ Application status checked regularly
Don't log into your portal just once. Continue checking it throughout application season in case new requests or updates appear.
Final Thoughts
The Common App is an incredible tool that has simplified the college application process.
But this year, it's more important than ever to remember that clicking "Submit" doesn't always mean you're finished.
The Common App gets your application to the college.
The applicant portal may be where you actually complete it.
So before celebrating, take one more step:
Read every email. Activate every portal. Review every checklist.
Those few extra minutes could make the difference between a submitted application and a complete one.