Does ASU use the Common App?

No — Arizona State University does not use the Common App. ASU has its own admissions portal at my.asu.edu. Searching for ASU on the Common App website will find nothing. Apply to ASU directly at my.asu.edu by the December 1 priority deadline for merit scholarship consideration.

Does the University of Arizona use Common App?

Yes — the University of Arizona (UA) accepts the Common App as its primary application. You can also use the Coalition App. The Common App submits your admission application, but the UA scholarship application is separate — you must submit the UA scholarship form to be considered for merit awards like the Wildcat Excellence Award.

What is the Common App personal essay word limit?

The Common App personal essay is 250–650 words. Aim for 600–650 words — a shorter essay can feel underdeveloped. You choose from 7 essay prompts (or use the "topic of your choice" option). The same essay is sent to every school you apply to, so write something that reveals who you are, not something targeted to one school.

When does the Common App open?

The Common App opens on August 1 every year for the following academic year. You can start filling it in then, but most school-specific supplements open at the same time. The first major deadline for most schools is November 1–November 15 for Early Action or Early Decision. Regular Decision deadlines are typically January 1–February 1.

Application guide · Common App for Arizona students

Common App guide — what it is, how it works, and which AZ schools use it

The Common Application lets you apply to many colleges with one form. But not all Arizona schools use it — ASU and NAU have their own portals. This guide walks through every Common App section, clarifies which AZ schools require it, and flags the mistakes that hold applications up.

Full application timeline FAFSA checklist

ASU and NAU do NOT use Common App

Many Arizona students waste time applying to ASU via Common App or wonder why ASU doesn't appear in the school search. ASU and NAU use their own portals. Only UA accepts the Common App among Arizona's public universities.

Which AZ schools use Common App?

University of Arizona (UA)

Priority: December 1 · Regular: May 1

Common App (primary) or Coalition App

UA fully accepts Common App. Scholarship consideration requires the UA scholarship app (separate, opens October 1). Submitting Common App alone does NOT trigger scholarship review.

Arizona State University (ASU)

Priority (merit scholarship): December 1 · Regular: rolling

ASU own portal (my.asu.edu) — NOT Common App

ASU does not use Common App. You apply directly at my.asu.edu. The admissions application automatically triggers scholarship consideration — no separate form. Apply by December 1 for best merit scholarship review.

Northern Arizona University (NAU)

Priority: February 1 · Regular: rolling

NAU own portal (nau.edu/admissions) — NOT Common App

NAU does not use Common App. Apply directly at nau.edu. Presidential Scholarship is automatic on admission — submit before February 1 for priority scholarship review.

Grand Canyon University (GCU)

Rolling admissions

GCU portal (gcu.edu/admissions)

GCU does not use Common App. Private Christian university with rolling admissions.

Every Common App section — what to expect

Common Information

Legal name, birthdate, address, citizenship
Social Security Number (optional but speeds financial aid)
High school name, CEEB code, graduation date

The name you use MUST match your government-issued ID exactly. Mismatches cause verification delays.

Academic History

High school transcript info (entered manually — counselor uploads official later)
Dual enrollment or college coursework
Senior year courses (what you are taking now)

Enter your GPA using your school's scale — do not convert. The Common App shows schools your school's scale alongside your grades.

Testing

SAT/ACT scores (self-reported; official scores sent separately)
Test-optional flag: if not submitting, check test-optional — don't leave blank

Most Arizona-bound students use the test-optional policy at UA. Check each school's policy before deciding whether to submit.

Activities

Up to 10 activities — ranked by importance to you
150 characters per description (be specific: verb + number + impact)
Honors & awards section (up to 5 distinctions)

Quantify everything: "Led 12-person robotics team to state semifinals" beats "Participated in robotics." Use the activity optimizer tool.

Writing — Personal Essay

250–650 words; 7 prompts — pick one
Starts with "tell your story" — any topic is acceptable if it reveals who you are
Read by every school you submit to — write it once, reuse it everywhere

The best essays are specific and concrete. "The moment I realized X" beats a vague retrospective. Don't write about your stats or awards — they're already on the application.

Recommendations

2 teacher recommendations required by most schools
1 school counselor recommendation (required)
Optional: 1 additional recommender (coach, employer, program director)

Request letters in September — before senior year is busy. Give recommenders your activities list and essay so they can write specifically.

6 Common App mistakes that delay Arizona applications

Applying to ASU via Common App

ASU does not accept Common App. Go to my.asu.edu.

Submitting without a counselor completing their section

Schools will hold your application incomplete until the counselor uploads a profile + transcript. Tell your counselor your submission dates at least 2 weeks early.

Using a nickname or shortened name

Use your legal name exactly as it appears on government ID. A mismatch with your official transcript creates a delay.

Submitting the application but not the UA scholarship app

For UA, the Common App triggers admission review — but the separate UA scholarship application triggers scholarship consideration. Submit both.

Leaving the essays section blank or too short

Incomplete essays = incomplete application. Even test-optional schools require the personal essay.

Forgetting to send official scores after self-reporting

Self-reporting on Common App is provisional. Official scores from College Board or ACT must follow.

Application timeline

Month-by-month junior/senior roadmap with Common App open date, UA priority deadline, and scholarship windows.

Common App activity optimizer

Grade a 150-character activity description and get a quick-tighten to strong verb + numbers + impact.

Essay topic brainstormer

No personal statement idea? Surface a real story and map it to a Common App prompt.

Recommendation tracker

Track letter requests, ask recommenders, prepare a brag packet, and thank them after submission.

FAFSA checklist

Submit the FAFSA the same day as your applications — both require the same documents.

Essay word counter + trimmer

Common App personal essay is capped at 650 words — paste your draft to trim it down.

What to do next

Application timeline

See when to open your Common App account, request recs, and submit by school priority deadline.

Activity optimizer

Sharpen your 150-character Common App activity descriptions before you submit.

Common App guide — what it is, how it works, and which AZ schools use it

Common App guide — what it is, how it works, and which AZ schools use it

Related guides · Strengthen the application

Common App guide — what it is, how it works, and which AZ schools use it