Counselors and recommenders
This year, you’ll support more than one million students applying to college. You have their backs. That’s why we have yours.
Counselors and recommenders
This year, you’ll support more than one million students applying to college. You have their backs. That’s why we have yours.
Help for those who help students
Counselors and recommenders are integral to the application process. These supporters — from schools and other community organizations — help students see themselves in college and understand how to get there. Explore our collection of Common App resources designed to support those who support students.
Who is a student supporter?
It takes a village to support students as they navigate applying for post-secondary opportunities. Counselors, teachers, advisors, and even family members can all play a role.
Common App’s first-year application supports four recommender types that assist students with application completion. Learn more about the four recommender types.
Counselor
Counselor
A counselor will use the Common App recommender system to submit school forms, upload transcripts, and track student application progress. Counselors who use a Common App integration partner will submit forms through the partner. A student can invite one person as their counselor.
Teacher
Teacher
A teacher supports a student by submitting an academic evaluation on their behalf. Students must invite and assign teachers to individual colleges on their list. Not all colleges require a teacher letter of recommendation.
Other recommender
Other recommender
Some students may choose to invite someone other than a counselor or teacher to submit a written evaluation on their behalf. Some examples of other recommenders are coaches, employers, and college access advisors. Not all colleges accept letters of recommendation from other recommenders.
Advisor
Advisor
An advisor is anyone assisting a student with their application. Some examples include mentors, college access advisors, family members, and independent educational consultants. Counselors who use one of Common App’s integration partners to submit school forms can also use the advisor role to gain additional insight into their student’s application completion. Students can invite up to 3 advisors to review their in-progress application and track their progress using the Common App recommender system. No forms are submitted while using the advisor role. Colleges do not receive any information about advisors.
What's new with Common App?
What's new with Common App?
Get an overview of the 2026–27 Common App updates, including changes to fee waivers, family and activities sections, testing requirements, account security, and new features designed to support counselors and students. View the presentation materials.
Using Common App as a recommender
Using Common App as a recommender
The Common App recommender system is a free tool designed to simplify the recommendation process and assist students with post-secondary applications.
Recommender guide
Recommender guide
Access all the resources you need to complete your recommendations within the Common App system.
Stay informed
Stay informed
Keep up with all things Common App and get our monthly digest of news and updates.
Supporter resources
ADMISSION CASE STUDIES
ADMISSION CASE STUDIES
Run a hands-on case study that reveals how holistic review influences college admissions decisions.
SUPPORT FUTURE PLANNING
SUPPORT FUTURE PLANNING
Guide students through discovering their options and building the knowledge they need to plan for their next steps.
EXPLORE COLLEGES
Help your students search, explore, and virtually tour over 1,100 Common App member colleges across the globe.
ORDER A COMMON APP MAP
Request a free national or regional map poster of Common App member colleges for your office or classroom.
CREATE A PRACTICE ACCOUNT
Create a Common App practice student account as an education professional to familiarize yourself with the ins and outs of navigating the application.
TUTORIALS
Check out Common App’s YouTube channel for video tutorials that walk students through different sections of the application.
ACCESS RESOURCES
Discover our toolkit of college application resources in English and Spanish.
VIEW RESEARCH
Follow application trends and learn key insights from our research briefs and state reports.
Student resources
COLLEGE PREP CHECKLISTS
Use these five checklists, one for each year from middle school through senior year, to keep students on track.
FIRST-YEAR APPLICATION GUIDE
This guide walks students through building and submitting their first-year application through Common App.
MILITARY-CONNECTED CHECKLIST
Whether starting college or completing your degree, we're here to help. Use this checklist to explore your options and access important resources.
TRANSFER RESOURCE CENTER
Help students learn about the transfer process — including credit evaluations, paying for college, and additional support for military-connected or parenting students.
TRANSFER APPLICATION GUIDE
This guide walks students through building and submitting their transfer application through Common App.
ACCOUNT ROLLOVER
Account rollover allows students to start their applications at any time, even if they don't plan to apply for a few years.
