Common App’s Next Chapter Impact report

The Common App's Next Chapter initiative aims to increase access to higher education for low- and middle-income students. The 2023–2024 Impact Report provides insights into the demographics and characteristics of these students.

Key findings include:

• In the 2023–2024 application season, Common App reached 422,893 low- and middle-income students. These students were more likely to be first-generation, attend Title I eligible high schools, and identify as underrepresented minorities.
• Applicants from below median income communities were twice as likely to be first-generation, nearly twice as likely to attend a Title I high school, and more than twice as likely to qualify for a Common App fee waiver compared to their peers from higher-income communities.
• The majority of these students attended public high schools, with significant representation from the Southern and Midwestern regions.

The data highlights the importance of targeted outreach and support for low- and middle-income students in the college admissions process. Understanding these trends can help institutions design more inclusive and effective pathways to higher education.