You can apply to most private colleges using the Common Application.

The Common Application makes it easy to manage multiple college applications in one place.
All colleges on your Common App list will receive the General Application, and various colleges will require supplemental applications - some will ask you to answer basic questions, while others will require 1+ additional essays.

Colleges on the Common App include: Barnard, Columbia, Cornell, Hofstra, LIU, NYU, UPenn, and more.
To search if a college uses the Common App, click here.
IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO APPLY TO PRIVATE COLLEGES, PLEASE FOLLOW THE BELOW STEPS CAREFULLY:
1. Update your college list on Naviance, adding each individual school you are applying to (it does not matter the order).
2. Be sure you research each individual college website and understand the requirements they are looking for in an applicant, as well as the majors, extracurriculars, clubs, etc. offered.
3. Review the steps to completing the Common Application, as well as the information you'll need. You can do this here.
4. To access the application, you must first create a Common App account.
  • Be sure to save your password somewhere safe so you don't forget it (i.e.: Google Docs).
  • Students are encouraged to begin the application at home, but they should wait to submit the application until it is approved by a college counselor.​
5. Each school requires a response to 1 of the 7 Common Application essay prompts.
  • 2017-2018 Common App Essay Prompts
  • Many colleges on the Common App will require a supplemental essay. Once you add schools to your college list, you can find the supplemental questions.
Once you know what colleges you want to apply to, research and write down each school's application deadline.
  • College application deadlines are hard deadlines. This means that the deadlines are NON-NEGOTIABLE.
If you need help creating a a college list, schedule a meeting with your college counselor.
  • A college list should consist of no more than 10 schools, and should include Reach, Target, and Safety schools.
    • ​​To learn more about Reach, Target, and Safety Schools, click here.