Do Ivies accept the common app? Which top schools do?

The Common Application is an online college application platform used for first year and transfer applications. 

In the 2023-2024 application cycle over 1.4 million distinct first year applicants submitted over 9.5 million applications to over 1,000 member institutions. This is the most commonly used application platform. 

Majority of the member institutions are from the United States representing all 50 states, both four year and community colleges, and private and public colleges. However, there are several international institutions who also utilize this platform including the University of St. Andrews, University of Hong Kong, and Underwood International College, Yonsei University. 

Other application platforms include Coalition Application, Questbridge Application and the Universal College Application. 

So, who uses the common application? 

Which Ivies Use the Common Application

From the top schools in the United States, these include all eight Ivy Leagues; Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Harvard College, Princeton University, University of Pennsylvania, and Yale University. While many of these schools may also accept the Coalition Application and the Questbridge Application, the majority of their applicants applying from within or outside of the United States utilize this platform each year. 

Other top-rated schools using the Common App include Stanford University, California Institute of Technology, Duke, Johns Hopkins, Northwestern University, and the University of Chicago, among many, many others. Similar to the Ivies, these schools may accept the Coalition and Questbridge applications, but the majority of their applicants apply using the Common Application. 

Top Schools Not using the Common App

Among top rated schools not on the Common Application includes; Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the University of California Berkeley and University of California Los Angeles, as they utilize the University of California Application. 

These schools have insisted on using their own applications in order to highlight the parts of the process which are important to them. MIT for example, only allows students to report four activities during the school year, emphasizing that it’s not how much you do, but the level and depth at which you pursue your interests is what matters. 

Top Schools that recently transitioned to using the Common Application

Membership for the Common Application has grown over the years, from 15 members in 1975 to over 1,100 in 2024. With an objective of being more accessible to students, they continue to grow each year. Top schools who have recently transitioned to the Common Application include University of Texas at Austin. Like many state systems, UT- Austin accepts both their state application, Apply Texas, and the Common Application. 

The most recent announcement for adding the Common Application as an option, came from Georgetown University. Starting in August 2026 for the entering class of 2027, they will accept the Georgetown Application and the Common Application. 
If you have questions about the Common Application or if you need any assistance with your application, reach out to a Solomon Consultant.