The 2026-27 Common App Is Open
The Common App opened August 1 for the 2026-27 admissions season, and for counselors heading into fall advising, it’s worth knowing what’s different this year before students start asking questions.
There are no major overhauls this cycle. The seven personal statement prompts are unchanged, and the application structure is largely the same. The one notable platform update is that the Activities section has been renamed Activities and Experiences, with the leadership and title field now optional – The Common App is broadening its definition of what counts as a meaningful experience.
What has changed significantly is the landscape around the application:
- As we wrote about earlier this summer, there will be Fewer supplemental essays at selective schools. Cornell, Tulane, UNC, University of Miami, and Washington University in St. Louis are among schools dropping supplements this cycle. The personal statement now carries more weight at these institutions, and application volume is expected to rise.
- Standardized testing is back at more schools. Dartmouth, Yale, and other Ivy League institutions have reinstated test requirements. Counselors should verify the current testing policy for every school on a student’s list, as policies have shifted frequently.
- AI use is under scrutiny. Students e-sign an attestation with their submission confirming the work is their own. Admissions offices are increasingly paying attention to AI-generated writing, particularly in the personal statement.
- Early decision options are expanding. More colleges are offering ED in a bid to boost yield rates, and students should understand the binding nature of these commitments before applying.
- Application volume continues to climb. Last cycle saw 1.5 million applicants submit nearly 11 million applications. Higher volume at schools that dropped supplements may push acceptance rates lower.
