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Common App

Online common application platform for colleges

Overview

The Common Application is a nonprofit membership association that offers a free, centralized online application used for first-year and transfer admissions by hundreds of colleges and universities. Students fill out a single application and submit it to multiple member colleges through The Common App platform, with First-Year and Transfer options. It stands out because it pools a large, diverse roster of member institutions in one standardized platform and operates as a nonprofit, member-driven service rather than a for-profit provider. Its goal is to simplify and standardize the college application process for students and high schools, helping them apply to many schools with one form.

Significant Headcount Growth

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About Common App

Simplify's Rating
Why Common App is rated
B
Rated A on Competitive Edge
Rated B on Growth Potential
Rated C on Differentiation

Industries

Enterprise SoftwareEducation

Company Size

201-500

Company Stage

Grant

Total Funding

$180K

Headquarters

Arlington County, VA

Founded

1975

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What believers are saying

  • June 17, 2026 College Possible integrated Coach Possible with Common App, expanding access workflows.
  • July 31, 2026 Common App opened the 2026-27 season, sustaining annual engagement.
  • February 27, 2026 essay prompt launch and August 2026 expansion show product momentum.

What critics are saying

  • Apply Coalition with Scoir and state direct-admit programs erode Common App’s gatekeeper role.
  • Automated eligibility rules for direct admissions create data-quality and fairness scrutiny immediately.
  • If member colleges migrate to separate platforms, Common App’s network effect weakens existentially.

What makes Common App unique

  • Common App standardizes first-year applications across 500-plus colleges, reducing switching costs.
  • August 25, 2026 direct admissions reached 234 participating institutions, deepening network effects.
  • Its platform already serves millions annually, giving colleges a trusted student data pipeline.

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Funding

Total Funding

$180k

Above

Industry Average

Funded Over

1 Rounds

Grant funding comparison data is currently unavailable. We're working to provide this information soon!
Grant Funding Comparison Coming Soon

Benefits

  • Paid Vacation
  • Paid Sick Leave
  • Paid Holidays
  • Remote Work Options
  • Home Office Stipend
  • Phone/Internet Stipend
  • Professional Development Budget
  • Wellness Program
  • Mental Health Support
  • Health Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Dental Insurance

Growth & Insights and Company News

6 month growth

-2%

1 year growth

11%

2 year growth

11%
College Possible
Jun 17th, 2026
National student access and success nonprofit launches new integration to simplify college applications.

National student access and success nonprofit launches new integration to simplify college applications. * June 17, 2026 College Possible expands its AI-powered Coach Possible solution with Common App integration, helping students manage exploration and applications more efficiently College Possible, the 25 year-old college access and success nonprofit that has helped over 100,000 learners chart pathways to and through higher education - today announced new integrations within its AI-powered student success solution, Coach Possible, further simplifying their students' journey through the college application process. Coach Possible is now connected to Common App, so students can manage college exploration and applications more efficiently while coaches get clearer visibility into student progress. "The college application process can feel overwhelming, especially when students are managing multiple steps and systems at once," said Jenny Rickard, CEO of Common App. "Efforts that simplify access to information and reduce duplication can make a meaningful difference in helping students stay focused, complete applications, and reach the next stage of their education." Research shows that navigating the college application and enrollment process remains a significant obstacle for many students, particularly the students that College Possible works with who are first in their families to attend college. Recent national data highlights how process complexity, from financial aid to enrollment requirements, can derail students' plans, with surveys finding that roughly one in four students experienced difficulty completing the FAFSA and delays to the FAFSA rollout impacted their enrollment decisions. Since its launch, Coach Possible has gained national recognition for helping students demystify complex postsecondary pathways through personalized, tech-enabled support. The new Common App integration builds on that momentum by bringing critical tools into a single, connected experience, reducing the need for students to move between platforms or re-enter information. "College is complicated, and we want our students to not waste time on multiple systems, deadlines, and sources of information," said Dr. Siva Kumari, CEO of College Possible. "This new integration simplifies that process from exploring colleges to submitting applications in one system." About College Possible Founded in 2000, College Possible is one of the nation's largest and most successful college access and success programs. Through its proven coaching model, the organization has supported over 100,000 students in earning a college degree and achieving economic mobility. Today, College Possible serves more than 25,000 students annually, leveraging technology and innovation to expand reach and impact. Its proprietary CoPilot platform supports more than 1,700 users across 50 partner organizations, with a 99% retention rate. Nationwide, College Possible students are three times more likely to earn a bachelor's degree within six years than their peers from similar backgrounds. Headquartered in Saint Paul, MN, College Possible operates additional regional sites in Chicago, IL; Milwaukee, WI; Omaha, NE; Portland, OR; Seattle, WA; and Austin, TX. Learn more at CollegePossible.org.

Forbes
Aug 22nd, 2025
College Admission Leaders Share Application Tips

While some schools with their own applications began receiving (and encouraging) applications in early July, the Common App and Apply Coalition with Scoir application have launched the newest version of their applications.

The Guardian
Oct 18th, 2024
Texas lets students see which colleges would accept them before applying

For the 2024-2025 application season, Common App launched its direct admissions program with 117 member colleges and universities.

Nebraska Wesleyan University
Sep 26th, 2024
NWU partners with Common App to expand college access

NWU partners with Common App to expand college access.

The Hill
May 1st, 2024
Michelle Obama surprises high school students in DC on College Signing Day

Obama announced that Reach Higher was partnering with Common Application, an undergraduate college admission application that allows students to apply to more than 1,000 schools.

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