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Evolution of the Common Application

The purpose of this research was to gain a comprehensive and accurate timeline of the changes that occurred within the Common Application since the 2007-2008 application up until the most recent 2022-2023 application. 2007-2008 is used as a starting point because, due to formatting changes, raw documents of the applications prior to this year are for the most part lost. 

 

The changes within the Common App are merely a reflection of the changing world and application process. The Common Application itself is not the arbiter of change but a visual manifestation of certain changes. 

 

The project is set up to include a raw timeline of the changes that have occurred as well as a summary and analysis of those changes. Images from the actual applications accompany the listed changes at each segment of the timeline. I Intended to encapsulate all changes of note in the timelines; it should be stated that some formatting changes are not mentioned while other changes that might appear minute are included for the sake of a complete timeline. 

 

Often in the summary and analysis essays I reference data from Common App’s reports and insights. These reports and insights reflect trends regarding member institutions, applicants, and more. However, the beginning date for the data these reports reflect is 2014, seven years after our start date. It is important to note that some of the trends and data referenced in the essays do not reflect the entirety of our timeline. 

 

The timelines are completely objective, but the summary and analysis essays may appear more subjective as I have attempted to explain Common App’s changes using outside sources. Sometimes these explanations are my own reasonings concluded using outside data and most likely do not represent the full scope of why these changes occurred. I am a college student who has gone through the college admissions process less than two years ago. This has given me valuable insight into my research, but also means that I have my own opinions on how the college process has changed and its reasons for doing so. There is no thesis that I am attempting to prove with this project, and I have attempted to remain unbiased. However, please note that I may not always achieve that goal. My only objective with this project was to create a database that encompassed the evolution of the now most-popular college application platform and find evidence as to what college admissions most value.

Lucy Goldberg
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