2026-2027 Common App Requirements Grid

getincollegesmaste
2 hours ago
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The Common App Requirements Grid is an essential reference guide published annually by the Common Application. It aggregates the specific admissions policies, application deadlines, testing requirements, and required recommendation letters for all 1,000+ participating colleges and universities into a single downloadable database.

Where to Find the Official 2026–2027 Requirements Grid

PDF Download: You can view or download the complete official 2026–2027 Requirements Grid PDF directly from Common App at content.commonapp.org/Files/ReqGrid.pdf.

Inside Your Student Account: Log into your Common App account, navigate to My Colleges > Overview, and click the Compare application requirements link to filter requirements dynamically for your specific college list.

What Key Data Is Listed in the Grid?

For each member college, the Requirements Grid details:

Deadlines & Options: Early Action (EA), Early Decision (ED I & II), Regular Decision (RD), and Rolling Admissions dates.
Application Fees & Fee Waivers: Standard domestic and international application fees, along with explicit indicators showing whether the institution accepts Common App fee waivers.
Recommendation Letters: The exact count of required and optional recommendations (Counselor Evaluation, Teacher Recommendations, and Other Recommenders).
Writing Requirements: Whether the main Common App Personal Essay is required, optional, or not required for that specific institution, along with supplemental essay requirements.
Standardized Testing Policies: Indicators for test-optional, test-required, or test-blind policies.

Notable Changes & Updates for the 2026–2027 Cycle

Enhanced Fee Waiver Transparency: Member colleges are now required to specify in the grid whether they accept the Common App Fee Waiver for all applicants, U.S. students only, or no students.
Expanded Member List: Over 60 new institutions have been integrated into the Common App network for the 2026–2027 cycle
Updated Activity Reporting: The Activities section has been updated to Activities and Experiences, allowing optional leadership titles (up to 50 characters) and new inclusive categories like employment, hobbies, and military involvement.