The AXS Companion: A Tool to Guide Students Through the Common Application

The AXS Companion: A Tool to Guide Students Through the Common Application

Summer is in full swing, and this is the perfect time for rising seniors to start working on their Common Application (Common App). To ensure a smoother application process and a less stressful senior year, we encourage students to complete most of their Common App - including the personal statement (main essay) - by August 1, when colleges typically release their supplemental essay prompts.

One exceptional resource we recommend is the AXS Companion. This free online tool, a collaboration between the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) and Oregon State University Ecampus, is aimed at “improving access and clarity for under-resourced students who lack college counseling support.”

This free online resource provides a wealth of resources, including a glossary of college application terms and instructional videos for all sections of the Common App. All students, particularly those seeking college admissions guidance, will find the AXS Companion a valuable addition to their toolbox. The links below will provide support for:

• Creating a Common App account
• personal profile, family, education (including schools attended, awards, and senior year courses), and testing sections
• Listing courses and grades from 9th-11th grade for colleges that require it
• Understanding the role of, and requesting, teacher recommendation letters
• Completing the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) waiver
• Learning about the financial aid section of the Common App and financial aid generally
• Preparing the activities list
• Drafting the personal statement (main essay) and college-specific supplemental essays
• Submitting college applications
• Following up after submitting your application
• Understanding how admission officers review an application

While initially designed to aid under-resourced students, the AXS Companion can provide significant benefits to students working with an Independent Educational Consultant (IEC). For those without an IEC, rest assured that the AXS Companion offers reliable guidance and information.

If you need more information on completing the Common App or any aspect of the college admissions process, don't hesitate to reach out to me at steve@fineeducationalsolutions.com