The college application process has revolutionized in the last decade, but with this
revolution has come a shift in the purpose of high school academics and, in some ways, a
student’s purpose in life. Of course, the idea of preparing for the future has always been a
cornerstone of education, but the stakes have risen dramatically. This is the story of how one
platform, the Common Application, came to reshape not just how students apply to college, but
how they live their high school years.
The Common App launched in 1975 with 15 colleges on board. The concept was simple:
a single application students could use for multiple colleges, to ease the complexity of the
college admissions process. That vision today is a platform that links over 1,000 colleges and
universities with more than 1.4 million applicants every year. Application volume increased 11%
between the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons, with students submitting an average of 6.65
applications apiece, according to the Common App’s 2024 annual report. The ease of the
Common App cannot be overstated. It allows students to upload their essays, activities, and
basic information once and send it to a myriad of schools. However, as Tom Weede, vice
president for enrollment management at Butler University says, this ease of use comes at a
cost. “Some schools don’t want certain questions and others do, so it falls to the most generic
level, and you lose some of the ability to present yourself in it,” he said. In trying to serve all
institutions equally, the Common App has become a one-size-fits-all solution–one that some
argue fails to capture the nuance of individual students or schools.
With the rise of the Common App, high school culture has shifted. The ease of applying
via the platform makes it easy for students to apply to more colleges, and the pressure to cast a
wide net is very high. But this ease also fosters a hypercompetitive environment. It’s a constant
competition—GPA, test scores, activities—it’s stressful,” says junior Penelope Krause. High
school has become just college preparation. AP classes, leadership positions, and
extracurriculars that fill out a résumé engulf them from morning to night. It’s been all about
preparing for college—AP classes, leadership roles, and building my resume,” reflects senior
Niko Cornell. There is an added tension: so inescapable that students increasingly experience
the impression their self-esteem relates to whether college accepts or denies them. At times it
may feel as if everything that Cornell does involves something related to college he concludes,
though trying “to enjoy the ride.”
The Common App further increased the inequity that already existed between public and
private schools. For a variety of reasons, one such reason, a study published in Forbes
suggests that private high schools make up nearly 40% of feeder relationships with elite
colleges, although they are a small fraction of all the high schools; many of which offer special
counseling and resources to their students for admissions. For the most part, it’s a big gap–even
more extreme at “super feeder” schools, which are mainly located in wealthy communities and
serve the highest-income 1%. For less privileged students, the hurdles are high. Application
fees range from $50 to $90 per school, adding up fast. As Cornell says, “Applications alone are
a financial burden.” Though fee waivers exist, they aren’t universally available, and the high cost
of tuition only heightens the anxiety. “It’s ridiculous. It shouldn’t be this expensive to get an
education,” said senior Savit Pawar.
Beyond financial struggles, the college application process takes a psychological toll on
students. Social media amplifies that pressure, with students constantly comparing their
achievements to those of others. Pawar says, “There’s more pressure now with social media
and constant comparisons.” Such a hyperfocus on college leads to burnout. Students juggle
rigorous coursework, extracurricular activities, and application essays, sacrificing sleep and
mental health. Krause says, “It’s super busy. A lot of APs. I’m already thinking about
scholarships.” Despite the challenges, some students find ways to stay grounded. Junior Hiruna
Devadithya takes a more balanced approach, saying, “I try to keep a balance between school
and hanging out with friends. There’s so much more to life than college.” His perspective serves
as a reminder that there is no single “right” way to navigate high school or the college
application process.
While undeniable, the ways this changed the college application process, most
decidedly the Common Application, have affected not only higher but also high school
education: simplifying and legitimizing admission policies by increasing competitiveness and
stress. On the road towards life, every turn that young souls take to accommodate this reality
pokes many different questions regarding school, education, college, the value of money,
privilege, and the meaning behind opportunities. For better or worse, the Common App has
become an icon of the college admissions journey: a tool of revolution and of reflection. Moving
forward, the balance will have to be between efficiency and equity so that all students are given
equal opportunities to pursue their dreams without the loss of what really matters in life.