The Common App and AXS Companion: Deadlines, Dates, Resources and FAQs

Shelly Humbach • October 23, 2023

"The Common Application, often referred to as The Common App is an online platform that facilitates the college application process for students."

The Common Application, often referred to as the "Common App," is an online platform that facilitates the college application process for students applying to colleges and universities in the United States and a few other countries. It serves as a centralized application system, allowing students to apply to multiple participating colleges using a single application.


The AXS Companion is an open resource tool built by Oregon State University (no, you don’t need to apply to OSU to use it!) in collaboration with college consulting professionals at IECA that helps students navigate the Common App most effectively.New Paragraph

the axs companion for the common app

AXS Companion FAQs

1. Is the AXS Companion free to use?

Yes, the AXS Companion is available free of charge to all students and parents who are using the Common App.


2. Can I access the AXS Companion on my mobile device?

Yes, the AXS Companion is designed to be mobile-friendly. You can access it from your smartphone or tablet, allowing you to work on your application anytime, anywhere.


3. What if I have technical issues while using the AXS Companion?

If you encounter any technical issues while using the AXS Companion, you can reach out to their customer support team for assistance. They will be able to help you resolve any issues and ensure a smooth application process.


4. Can the AXS Companion help with college selection?

The AXS Companion focuses primarily on guiding students through the Common App application process. While it does not directly help with college selection, it provides resources and advice on how to present your best self in your application, which can increase your chances of getting accepted to your desired colleges.


5. Can I use the AXS Companion for applications to non-US colleges?

While the AXS Companion is primarily designed for the Common App, it can still be a valuable resource for students applying to non-US colleges. Many international institutions accept the Common App, and the guidance provided by the AXS Companion can be applied to other application platforms as well.


the common app

The Common App Deadlines and Important Dates


To make the most of the Common App and ensure that your application is submitted on time, it's essential to be aware of the relevant deadlines and important dates. Here are some key dates to keep in mind:


1. Application Open Date:

The Common App typically opens for submissions in August or September. Check the Common App website for the exact date each year.


2. Application Deadlines:

Different colleges and universities have different application deadlines. Some schools have Early Decision or Early Action deadlines, while all have Regular Decision deadlines. Make sure to research the deadlines for each institution you're applying to and mark them on your calendar.


3. Test Score Submission Deadlines:

If you're planning to submit standardized test scores, be aware of the deadlines for score submission. Some schools require scores to be received by a certain date, while others allow for self-reporting or score updates after the application deadline.


4. Financial Aid Deadlines:

If you're applying for financial aid, be sure to check the deadlines for submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or any other required financial aid forms. Missing these deadlines could affect your eligibility for financial assistance.


5. Decision Release Dates:

After submitting your application, you'll have to wait for the colleges to release their admission decisions. These dates vary depending on the institution. Be prepared to receive decisions between December and April, depending on the application cycle.




Stay organized and create a timeline to ensure that you meet all the necessary deadlines. The AXS Companion can also help you keep track of important dates and provide reminders to help you stay on top of your application process



Additional Resources for Common App Success


In addition to the AXS Companion, there are several other resources available to help you navigate the Common App and increase your chances of success. Here are some additional resources you may find helpful:


1.The Common App Website:

The official Common App website provides a wealth of information and resources to help you throughout the application process. It includes FAQs, video tutorials, and guides on various topics related to college applications.


2. College Admissions Counselors:

Reach out to the admissions counselors at the colleges you're interested in. They can provide valuable insights and answer any specific questions you may have about their application process.


3. College Prep Books:

There are numerous books available that provide comprehensive guidance on college applications. Look for titles that specifically focus on the Common App and offer tips and strategies for maximizing your chances of acceptance. Here are my top 3 picks for College Admissions Prep:


  1. Who Gets In and Why - Jeff Selingo
  2. Fiske Guide to Colleges 2024
  3. College Admissions Essentials, Ethan Sawyer


4. Online Communities and Forums:

Join online communities and forums where you can connect with other students and parents who are going through the college application process. These platforms provide a space to ask questions, share experiences, and receive support.



Remember, the college application process can be challenging, but with the right resources and support, you can navigate it successfully.


Additional Guides Here


If these quick tips and tricks helped you, I would encourage you to take a look at our full guide on The Common App and AXS below!

No Phone, Ditch the Shoes, Let’s Connect

By Shelly Humbach • September 11, 2025
In June, I hosted my annual Senior Essay Writing Workshop. This was the first in-person workshop since 2019. I bet you can guess why. I was elated to meet my students face-to-face after months, even years, of connecting through the screen. Imagine my surprise at their height, super-smiles, and warm laughter. Dang, it was wonderful. So, essentially, all my in-state seniors gather at my house for a three-hour intensive workshop on crafting a killer college essay. As I was preparing for the event, it occurred to me that I might be in competition with their PHONE. Classic directness (this is probably a character flaw) led me to inform my students and their parents, in advance, that this would be a no-phone gathering. My messaging went something like this, Important: Phones are placed in a basket at the door and retrieved at noon. No exceptions. Parents: If you need to reach your student during the workshop, text me directly at **********. Now, I am fully on board with the phone-free movement. I support it, advocate for it, and live it (I brilliantly quit all personal media last November). And I thought: my event, my rules. I was a little concerned about how this announcement would land. Turns out my concern was mainly about the parents. The kids? Not so much. In fact, research indicates that students crave phone-free learning environments. Suffice to say, the workshop was a smashing success. Not a single student pushed back against the policy. One poor soul forgot to retrieve her phone and left it sitting all alone in the basket. Not to worry, though. She didn’t get far before turning back to grab it. Here’s the truth: We don’t have to bow down to every technological whim or societal pressure. As adults, we know the phone is a problem, and it’s our job to foster healthy, happy individuals. So let's keep this momentum going. As Maya Angelou wisely said, “When you know better, do better.”

Big J Educational Consulting College Admissions Charts

By Shelly Humbach • August 11, 2025
I work with incredible colleagues; collaborative, smart and supportive. They make me better and I am deeply grateful. Every year, Jennie Kent and Jeff Levy of Big J Educational Consulting share invaluable information regarding college admissions. Their research is impeccable and accurate and provides crucial data to help students and families make informed college decisions. Read on, share broadly and give a shout out to these generous professionals! Early Decision and Regular Decision Acceptance Rates Class of 2028 Domestic Undergraduate Need-Based and Merit Aid Class of 2028 In-State and Out-of-State Acceptance Rates Class of 2028 Financial Aid for International Noncitizens Class of 2028 International Noncitizens Acceptance Rate and Yield Class of 2028 Percentage of Students Submitting SAT and ACT Scores Class of 2028 Athletic Divisions and Conferences (partial list) Class of 2028 - NEW! These charts are visual, interactive, and easy to use. They make it possible to instantly sort using any column's metrics and to easily compare subsets of colleges. They are free and can be accessed at www.bigjeducationalconsulting.com/resources . From Jennie and Jeff: We hope you find these resources helpful in your work guiding students. Please feel free to share them broadly as long as they remain in their original unedited form. Permission is not granted to those charging a fee for their distribution. If you find an error after cross-referencing with an institution's Common Data Set, please contact us at info@bigjconsult.com . Thank you!

The Power of Paying Attention

By Shelly Humbach • July 17, 2025
The Power of Paying Attention
Show More

No Phone, Ditch the Shoes, Let’s Connect

By Shelly Humbach • September 11, 2025
In June, I hosted my annual Senior Essay Writing Workshop. This was the first in-person workshop since 2019. I bet you can guess why. I was elated to meet my students face-to-face after months, even years, of connecting through the screen. Imagine my surprise at their height, super-smiles, and warm laughter. Dang, it was wonderful. So, essentially, all my in-state seniors gather at my house for a three-hour intensive workshop on crafting a killer college essay. As I was preparing for the event, it occurred to me that I might be in competition with their PHONE. Classic directness (this is probably a character flaw) led me to inform my students and their parents, in advance, that this would be a no-phone gathering. My messaging went something like this, Important: Phones are placed in a basket at the door and retrieved at noon. No exceptions. Parents: If you need to reach your student during the workshop, text me directly at **********. Now, I am fully on board with the phone-free movement. I support it, advocate for it, and live it (I brilliantly quit all personal media last November). And I thought: my event, my rules. I was a little concerned about how this announcement would land. Turns out my concern was mainly about the parents. The kids? Not so much. In fact, research indicates that students crave phone-free learning environments. Suffice to say, the workshop was a smashing success. Not a single student pushed back against the policy. One poor soul forgot to retrieve her phone and left it sitting all alone in the basket. Not to worry, though. She didn’t get far before turning back to grab it. Here’s the truth: We don’t have to bow down to every technological whim or societal pressure. As adults, we know the phone is a problem, and it’s our job to foster healthy, happy individuals. So let's keep this momentum going. As Maya Angelou wisely said, “When you know better, do better.”

Big J Educational Consulting College Admissions Charts

By Shelly Humbach • August 11, 2025
I work with incredible colleagues; collaborative, smart and supportive. They make me better and I am deeply grateful. Every year, Jennie Kent and Jeff Levy of Big J Educational Consulting share invaluable information regarding college admissions. Their research is impeccable and accurate and provides crucial data to help students and families make informed college decisions. Read on, share broadly and give a shout out to these generous professionals! Early Decision and Regular Decision Acceptance Rates Class of 2028 Domestic Undergraduate Need-Based and Merit Aid Class of 2028 In-State and Out-of-State Acceptance Rates Class of 2028 Financial Aid for International Noncitizens Class of 2028 International Noncitizens Acceptance Rate and Yield Class of 2028 Percentage of Students Submitting SAT and ACT Scores Class of 2028 Athletic Divisions and Conferences (partial list) Class of 2028 - NEW! These charts are visual, interactive, and easy to use. They make it possible to instantly sort using any column's metrics and to easily compare subsets of colleges. They are free and can be accessed at www.bigjeducationalconsulting.com/resources . From Jennie and Jeff: We hope you find these resources helpful in your work guiding students. Please feel free to share them broadly as long as they remain in their original unedited form. Permission is not granted to those charging a fee for their distribution. If you find an error after cross-referencing with an institution's Common Data Set, please contact us at info@bigjconsult.com . Thank you!

The Power of Paying Attention

By Shelly Humbach • July 17, 2025
The Power of Paying Attention

Parents: Before Your Student Launches, Get These Legal Docs in Place

By Shelly Humbach • June 11, 2025
Parents: Before Your Student Launches,  Get These Legal Docs in Place

Is Your Student Ready For College?

By Shelly Humbach • May 14, 2025
Is Your Student Ready For College?

What should your high school student be doing with their precious summer?

By Shelly Humbach • April 16, 2025
Wait for it……they should be having fun.

Harnessing the Power of AXS Companion: Take on the Common App with Ease

By Shelly Humbach • October 23, 2023
"The AXS Companion provides step-by-step guidance, tips, and expert advice to help you tackle every section of the Common App with confidence."
understanding financial aid: everything you need to know

Financial Aid 101: Understanding the Basics

By Shelly Humbach • April 27, 2023
Navigating Financial Aid can be a confusing process. Make sure you understand the financial terminology before entering the lengthy process of applying for scholarships and financial aid. Learn more in this comprehensive guide.

You’ve Been Deferred. Now What?

By Shelly Humbach • February 24, 2023
In the Spirit of - More College Admissions Fun - Let’s talk about Deferrals
3 Items Icons

3 Priority Action Items For Every Parent of a College-Bound High School Senior

By Shelly Humbach • December 7, 2022
Incredibly, another year has come and gone; another year of navigating life in the midst of Covid and now flu and RSV. Such fun. Thankfully, many high school seniors are still college bound. Here are three priority action items every parent or guardian should take long before their student launches. FAFSA and Net Price Calculators Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) . Even if you know or suspect your family will not qualify for federal aid, you should file the FAFSA. Why? ~In case circumstances change. Hello, pandemic. ~Just because parents weren’t eligible to receive financial aid one year doesn’t mean that they wouldn’t be eligible in a subsequent year, if their financial situation has changed. ~If you think you may require financial aid at any point in your child’s education. ~Anyone who expects to have more than one child in college simultaneously. Filing the FAFSA opens the door for all kinds of aid. Federal grants do not need to be repaid, federal student loans have low interest rates and work-study programs can be a convenient way to simultaneously fund an education and build a résumé. Complete the Net Price Calculator for each school on your student’s list. This calculator is found on every college website (search it). By providing personalized estimates, net price calculators offer a more informed way of deciding which colleges you can afford. Knowing your net price gives you the best idea of what you’ll pay for a particular college; makes comparing colleges easier; and widens your choice of colleges so you can focus on fit instead of price. Mental Health Care in College Make plans to have proper, sufficient and accessible mental health care support in place for your student before they leave for college. Let’s face it, the launch is just around the corner. Take advantage of the luxury of time and plan to have support firmly in place. Do not assume that colleges have the mental health care support your child may need. They are literally buckling under the weight of demand and negligible funding. Many times, care and support must be secured off-campus. Support Your Student Applying to college in 2022 is beastly and requires serious stamina and perseverance. College admissions deadlines are voluminous and fluid. The pandemic has wreaked all kinds of havoc on the process, requiring more diligence and follow through than ever before.
More Posts