Applying to College

Students have 3 options on how to apply to a college/university:

Coalition Application Guide
Common Application Guide
Directly to the College/University

Application Options

Coalition Application

The format of the Coalition App is similar to many other college applications, including the Common App and school-specific application systems. It includes standard items like personal information, essay prompts, and extracurricular involvement. Like the Common App, you have the benefit of filling out this information once and copying it to multiple schools.

Unique to the Coalition App is an extracurricular section for “family commitment.” As part of their commitment to making college more accessible, students who had to forego more traditional extracurricular activities to support their families are allowed to describe those commitments in this section. It also includes a Locker tool, where students can collect and store important information starting in 9th grade, so you don’t forget to include them on your college application.

Application opens: August 1st of each year.

Applications due: The application deadline depends on whether you are applying early decision (typically November 1st) or regular decision (typically January 1st).

How to apply to colleges using the Coalition App

Gather the information you KNOW you’ll need
- Copy of your high school transcript
- List of your activities, work & family responsibilities
- Test scores and dates from your college entrance exams (SATs, ACTs, etc)
- Parent/Legal guardian information
- Academic honors & achievements
Create a Coalition App account
All you need is an e-mail address to get started. You'll be prompted to create a login and password and to answer a few quick questions about who you are (parent, teacher, or counselor) and when you're applying to college.
Start adding information to your Locker
Students have private, unlimited space where they can upload important items, such as papers, videos, and photos, as a record of their high school experience; this cloud-based “Locker” becomes the foundation of their application to Coalition schools.
Review the admission information for every school you are considering
Keep in mind that Coalition App schools can have different writing, testing, essay, and letter of recommendation requirements. Make sure you do your research! You’ll use the same Coalition App form but admission requirements may differ from school to school.
Start working on your application & engage supporters
Pick an essay topic, start filling in general information, or ask a teacher for a letter of recommendation. There's no college application task too big or small!
The PDF version is available if you would like to print it out before filling out your information online.
Submit!
Submit all your application materials by 11:59 pm (in your local time zone) on the deadline date posted in your Coalition App Dashboard.

Does the Coalition App cost?

The platform itself is free to use. However, every college charges its own application processing fee (usually $25 to $75 for U.S. applicants and more for international applicants). You can apply for a fee waiver if you need one.

Coalition App Essay

You’ll submit one essay through the Coalition Application for all your schools.
Some colleges may ask you to also answer a few supplemental questions.
Check out the Coalition App essay prompts now so you can start strategizing about which essay to write.
Need essay help?
- Review the information on the Essay page of this website.
- Make sure to make an appointment with Ms. Garofalo for help and to review your essay.

What colleges use the Coalition App?

Coalition App colleges are a varied list of institutions. Check out the full list of the over 140 colleges here Coalition App schools.
Florida colleges that use the Coalition App:
- Florida Southern
- Florida State University
- Rollins College
- University of Florida
- University of South Florida
- University of Tampa
Make sure to refer to the Common App page to find out which Florida colleges use that app.

Coalition App Resources

Watch the below video for a step by step guide on how to fill out the Coalition App.

Common Application

The Common Application is a single online college application form used by over 900 colleges and universities from 20 countries. Instead of filling out the same general information—like your address, GPA, and extracurriculars— a dozen times, you only have to do it once. The Common App dashboard also helps you track necessary application documents (like your letters of recommendation) and important deadlines.

Application opens: August 1st of each year
Applications due: The application deadline depends on whether you are applying early decision (typically November 1st) or regular decision (typically January 1st).

Get Mobile
Download on the App Store
Download on Google Play

Navigate the entire college application journey with the Common App mobile app. Move seamlessly from the web to your phone or tablet without missing a beat.

Work on your application
Search for colleges, request recommendations, write your essays, and submit your applications. Now it’s all in the palm of your hand.
Stay on track
Keep track of application deadlines and college requirements and see where you are in the process.
Get informed
Get helpful information about approaching deadlines and any remaining tasks you have to complete to submit your applications.

Tip #1:

If you are applying to only one Common App member college, check if the school has its own application as this would be less time-consuming.
Do not send both applications or you may delay your application process.

How to apply to colleges using the Common App

Gather the information you KNOW you will need
- If you have been using the Boca High Academic Organizer to keep track of your classes, grades, awards, certifications, accolades, community service, clubs, sports, work, etc, you can pull it up and have all of your information
- Copy of your high school transcript
- List of your activities, work & family responsibilities
- Test scores and dates from your college entrance exams (SATs, ACTs, etc)
- Parent/Legal guardian information
- Academic honors & achievements
Create a Common App account
All you need is an e-mail address to get started. You'll be prompted to create a login and password and to answer a few quick questions about who you are (parent, teacher, or counselor) and when you're applying to college.
Confirm which of the schools on your list accept the Common Application
Not all schools accept the Common App. Colleges may require that you fill out their own application form or ask you to use another application system like ApplyTexas for Texas colleges. Add schools that interest you to the My Colleges list in your Common App account.
Review the admission information for every school you are considering
Keep in mind that Common App schools can have different writing, testing, essay, and letter of recommendation requirements. Make sure you do your research! You’ll use the same Common College application form but admission requirements may differ from school to school. Many schools will ask you to write essays in addition to the Common App essay or have additional college-specific questions for you to answer. You’ll be able to submit all of these extras through the Common App dashboard.
Start working on your application & engage supporters
Your Application Dashboard will show all your colleges and the status of each component of your application. Pick an essay topic, start filling in general information, or ask a teacher for a letter of recommendation. There's no college application task too big or small!
Track the status of your application(s)
The icons on your Dashboard are there to guide your way. A green check means your work has been submitted to that particular college, a yellow circle means your application is still in progress, and a red dash means that a particular section is not required for admission to that college.
Submit!
Submit all your application materials by 11:59 pm (in your local time zone) on the deadline date posted in your Common App Dashboard.

Does the Common App cost?

The platform itself is free to use. However, every college charges its own application processing fee (usually $30 to $75 for U.S. applicants and more for international applicants). You can apply for a fee waiver if you need one.

What colleges use the Common App?

Common App colleges are a varied list of institutions: private, public, big, small, engineering colleges, and liberal arts schools. Check out the full list of the over 900 colleges or search here Common App schools.

Common App Resources

Step by step walkthrough of the Common Application process by Khan Academy.
PDF printable forms on the Common App website

Common App Essay

You’ll submit one essay through the Common Application for all your schools.
Some colleges may ask you to also answer a few supplemental questions or additional essays.
Check out the Common App essay prompts now so you can start strategizing about which essay to write.
Need essay help?
- Review the information on the Essay page of this website.
- Make sure to make an appointment with Ms. Garofalo for help and to review your essay.

Quick Links

Direct Application

Some colleges do not use the Common Application nor the Coalition Application. If the college or university you are interested in attending falls into this category, you will need to go directly to their website and apply.

Application Cost?

Each college charges its own application processing fee (usually $30 to $75 for U.S. applicants and more for international applicants).

College App Essays

Some colleges may ask you to write an essay.
Need essay help?
- Review the information on the Essay page of this website.
- Make sure to make an appointment with Ms. Garofalo for help and to review your essay.