The Common App Is About to Open: Here’s What Prepared Parents Are Doing This Week

This is the final post in our six-part summer series for parents of the Class of 2026. With the Common App opening on August 1, the college application season is about to shift from theory to action.

The good news? If you've been following along with this series, building a budget, weighing college priorities, pushing back on peer pressure, and helping your student shape their story, you're already ahead of the curve.

But this week matters. A lot.

Here’s what savvy families are doing right now to make the most of it.

1. They’re Logging Into the Common App Before It Opens

Yes, the 2025–26 application technically opens August 1, but students can create an account and start filling out most of the core sections now.

Smart families are using this final week of July to:

• Create the account and complete the profile sections (name, school, activities, etc.)

• Generate their Common App ID, which some schools require for portals

• Identify which colleges are on the Common App vs. other systems (ApplyTexas, UC App, Coalition, etc.)

• Explore the supplemental essay prompts that have already been released

By logging in now, your student can skip the August 1 traffic jam and avoid mistakes made under pressure.

2. They’ve Reviewed the Application Timeline as a Family

Most students think they have until January to apply. And technically, that’s true for regular decision.

But if your student is planning to apply to any schools through:

• Early Action (deadlines often October 15 to November 1)

• Early Decision (typically November 1)

• Rolling Admissions (spots may fill in fall)

…then your real application deadline is coming up fast.

Prepared parents sit down this week to:

• Review their teen’s school list and see which deadlines apply

• Decide if Early Action or Early Decision makes sense

• Make sure each college’s financial aid deadlines are also on the calendar

This step alone can prevent last-minute panic later this fall.

3. They’re Talking About the Essay (Without Hovering)

The personal statement is not just a story. It’s a strategic tool.

By now, most students have brainstormed or drafted a version of their Common App essay. But if your teen hasn’t started yet, here’s the advice prepared parents are following:

• Encourage your student to talk through ideas out loud before writing

• Ask what they hope colleges understand about them after reading their essay

• Remind them it doesn’t have to be dramatic, it just has to be real

• Offer to be their “first audience” after they’ve gotten a rough draft down

If they’re stuck, help them shift from “what happened” to “why it mattered.” That’s where the real story lives.

4. They’re Asking for Help Strategically

Prepared doesn’t mean perfect. Even the most organized families hit questions, snags, or worries this time of year.

That’s why smart parents are:

• Looping in school counselors or recommenders now, while everyone’s schedule is still sane

• Looking for free, trustworthy communities where they can ask questions without judgment

• Recognizing when it’s time to call in a pro, especially for families navigating financial aid, merit scholarships, or high-stakes admissions goals

You don’t need to do this alone. And frankly, you shouldn’t.

Need a place to ask questions, compare notes, or vent when the process gets chaotic? Join my private Facebook group for parents of the Class of 2026. It’s packed with resources, guidance, and real talk from families walking the same path: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1464188301175292

It's also my favorite place to give freebies away! Like this one this week!