The Great Common App Course Conundrum: Should You List Every Class Under the Sun?
So, you’re knee-deep in the Common App, navigating the treacherous waters of college applications. You’ve probably stumbled upon a question that’s enough to make your head spin: “Do I have to report all classes on the Common App?”
The short answer? Yes, you should report all your classes. But before you start panicking and frantically digging through your old notebooks, let’s unpack this whole “all classes” thing.
It’s like when your mom asks, “Did you clean your room?” You know you haven’t, but you desperately want her to think you’re a responsible little angel. So you say, “Yes, Mom, I cleaned my room!” But then you conveniently forget to mention that under the mountain of clothes in the corner lies a forgotten dinosaur skeleton from last year’s science project.
The Common App is kinda like that. You can’t exactly “hide” classes, especially if they’re reflected on your official transcripts. So, yes, you need to list them all. But let’s break down why and how to approach this with a touch of strategic brilliance.
Why the Common App Wants to Know About Your Every Class
Think of it this way: College admissions officers are like detectives trying to solve the mystery of who you are as a student. They want to piece together the puzzle of your academic journey.
- They want to see your overall academic performance: Were you a consistent A student or did you struggle in some areas? This helps them understand your strengths and areas for growth.
- They want to know your academic interests: Did you take a lot of STEM courses or were you more drawn to the humanities? This gives them a peek into your intellectual curiosity.
- They want to see your commitment to challenging yourself: Did you take AP, IB, or college-level classes? This shows them your willingness to push your limits.
The good news is, you don’t have to list every class you’ve ever taken. We’re talking about courses that appear on your high school transcript. And yes, that includes those dreaded PE classes (unless it was dance, then rock on!). We’ll get into the specifics of what to report later.
Strategic Reporting: The Art of Playing the Common App Game
Think of this as a strategic chess match. You need to make your moves carefully, showcasing your academic strengths while strategically hiding any weaknesses.
- The “All Classes” Rule: Yes, report all courses listed on your high school transcript. You can’t hide those.
- The “Middle School Mystery”: Middle school courses only appear on your high school transcript, then you’re in the clear. Otherwise, skip them.
- The “PE Exception”: Remember, Life Skills, World Studies, and PE classes (unless it’s dance) are off the list.
- The “Dual Enrollment Dilemma”: If you’ve taken any college courses (high five for you!), report them in the “Colleges & Universities” section.
- The “Summer School Saga”: Classes taken during summer school usually appear on your high school transcript, so report those. But remember, summer classes taken at a college should be reported in the “Colleges & Universities” section.
- The “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff”: Don’t worry about minor mistakes. Colleges understand that you’re a human being, not a robot.
Common App Course Reporting: A Step-by-Step Guide
1. The High School Section:
- School Name: Enter the name of your high school exactly as it appears on your transcript.
- Dates Attended: Enter the dates you attended your high school.
- Graduation Date: Enter your expected graduation date.
- GPA: Enter your unweighted GPA.
- Class Rank: Enter your class rank if available.
- Courses & Grades: This is where you’ll list all the courses you took during high school that appear on your transcript.
2. The Colleges & Universities Section:
- School Name: Enter the name of the college or university where you took courses.
- Dates Attended: Enter the dates you attended the college or university.
- Credits Earned: Enter the number of credits you earned.
- Courses & Grades: List the courses you took at the college or university.
3. The “Other Courses” Section:
- Middle School Courses: If you took any middle school courses that appear on your high school transcript, you can list them here.
- Other Courses: You can list any other courses you took that don’t fit into the above categories.
Transcripts: The Key to the Kingdom
Remember, transcripts hold the key to the kingdom. They’re basically the official proof of your academic journey. Make sure you request transcripts from your high school and any other colleges or universities you’ve attended. These transcripts should be sent directly to the colleges you’re applying to.
The Bottom Line: Transparency is Your Best Bet
So, do you report all your classes on the Common App? Yes, you should. It’s all about transparency.
Think of it as a chance to showcase your academic journey, even those classes where you might have struggled a bit. Colleges want to see the whole picture, the ups and downs, the successes and failures. It’s all part of what makes you, you.
And remember, you’re not alone in this Common App journey. If you need help with any of this, don’t hesitate to reach out to your guidance counselor or a college advisor. They’re there to support you every step of the way.