If you’re the parent of a rising high school senior, you’re likely wondering when The Common Application (or the Coalition Application) will go live for the 2023-2024 admissions cycle.

After all, we know parents and students, admissions officers, school counselors, and everyone in between are eager to see the changes to this year’s college application in the wake of the landmark Supreme Court ruling outlawing Affirmative Action at our nation’s universities.

So when will these changes be visible for all to see? When will The Common Application and the Coalition Applications go live? Let’s find out!

When Does The Common App Go Live?

The Common Application goes live on August 1, 2023.

Like last year, The Common Application will go live on August 1st, three months before most Early Decision/Early Action deadlines.

When Does The Coalition Application Go Live?

The Coalition Application doesn’t open on one specific day.

Unlike the much more commonly used Common Application, The Coalition Application doesn’t open on one specific date. Instead, each member college determines the date their application will go live, typically over the summer months.

However, when The Coalition Application was first announced, its creators declared, as a supposed benefit, that students could begin filling in portions of the application much earlier than senior year. So students can fill in some portions of their Coalition Applications now before the school-specific portions of the application go live.

Potential Application Changes for 2023-2024 Admissions Cycle

In a typical year, parents and students are always eager to see the new live version of The Common Application. But this year, there’s even more eagerness because of the anticipated changes to the application. So what sorts of changes do we at Ivy Coach anticipate?

It’s impossible to predict all of the changes but below are a few likely changes — readings we share from Ivy Coach’s famously accurate crystal ball:

• The race question will be eliminated. For instance, on The Common Application, under the “Profile” section, students will no longer be asked if they’re Hispanic or Latino/a/x. Students will also no longer be asked to indicate how they identify themselves with American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Black or African American, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, and White among the options. There will also be no follow-up question based on how students answer this prompt.
• The optional Covid-19 essay that has been a feature of The Common Application since the onset of the pandemic will likely be eliminated, potentially replaced by another optional essay prompt. But, no, we do not believe this optional essay prompt will relate to diversity. That would be too on the nose and risky for the makers of The Common Application in light of the Supreme Court ruling.
• The Coalition Application will mimic the changes The Common Application makes.

Ivy Coach’s Assistance with College Applications

If you’re the parent of a rising high school senior, it’s not too late to reposition your child’s narrative so they optimize their case for admission to elite universities. It’s not too late to decide or change an Early Decision/Early Action strategy. It’s not too late to correct senior year courses that could potentially preclude their admission. It’s not too late to get involved in some meaningful activities that will showcase a singular hook rather than well-roundedness. It all starts with a Senior Strategy Session.

So fill out Ivy Coach’s consultation form, and we’ll set up a call to answer any questions you have about our college counseling services for seniors.