Common App Recommenders, FERPA, and Submission: A Final Checklist

The Common App recommendation process has three separate jobs: understand what each college requires, complete the FERPA authorization knowingly, and make sure each supporter is invited and assigned through the correct school process. A recommender's letter and a student's application can often be submitted separately, but every deadline and procedure should be verified.

Common App explains that colleges decide how many recommendations they require and which types they accept. Do not ask for, invite, or assign supporters based on a generic checklist alone.

Understand the supporter roles

Counselor

A counselor provides school context and may submit the School Report, transcript, and other school forms. A student can invite one counselor in Common App, but schools using Naviance or another integration partner may follow a different workflow.

Teacher

A teacher recommendation describes the student in an academic setting. Requirements vary: a college may require a particular number, accept optional letters, or request none.

Other recommender

Some colleges accept recommendations from people such as coaches, employers, arts instructors, or community mentors. Common App warns that not all colleges accept other recommenders.

Advisor

An advisor can assist with application progress but does not submit recommendation forms. Common App says students can invite up to three advisors, and colleges do not receive information about the advisors.

Parent

A parent may need to complete part of an early decision agreement when applicable. This role is not a substitute for a counselor or teacher.

Build the college-by-college requirement table

For each college, record:

• Counselor form or school-report requirement.
• Number and type of teacher recommendations.
• Whether other recommenders are accepted.
• Whether recommendations are required, optional, or not accepted.
• Internal high school deadlines.
• Submission platform or integration process.
• Program-specific differences.

Use the college's official admissions page and the current Common App “My Colleges” requirements area. Save the verification date because requirements can change.

Ask before you invite

Do not let the automated invitation be the first request. Ask the person whether they are willing and able to write a supportive recommendation.

A respectful request includes:

• The student's application timeframe.
• The type of recommendation requested.
• Why the student is asking that person.
• The school's process and internal deadline.
• An offer to provide requested background material.

Common App's recommendation resource says students should ask at least three weeks before the deadline. Many schools require earlier notice, so follow the school's calendar.

Prepare useful recommender material

If the school or recommender requests a questionnaire or “brag sheet,” provide specific information rather than a list of adjectives.

Useful content includes:

• Courses or experiences with the recommender.
• A project, discussion, challenge, or improvement the recommender observed.
• The student's intended areas of study, if relevant.
• Responsibilities or context the recommender may not know.
• A current activity inventory.
• Application deadlines and assignment details.

Do not write the recommendation for the recommender unless the school has a legitimate, transparent procedure that complies with its policies. Never invent an adult's evaluation.

Complete FERPA knowingly

FERPA is a U.S. federal law governing access to education records. In Common App, students complete a release authorization before working with recommendations in the application.

The application may ask whether the student waives the right to review recommendation materials. This is a consequential choice. Students should read the current explanation and discuss questions with their school counselor or a qualified advisor. CollegeAppWiser should not make the legal decision for the student.

Complete the authorization once the student understands the choice. Check names and signatures carefully.

Invite and assign in the correct system

Common App's first-year guide outlines a general workflow:

1. Open a college under “My Colleges.”
2. Go to “Recommenders and FERPA.”
3. Complete FERPA if it is not already complete.
4. Invite the appropriate supporter.
5. Assign the supporter to the college where required.

The guide also notes that teachers, parents, and other recommenders may not receive an email until they are assigned to a college. If a high school uses an integration partner, students should follow the instructions shown in their account and the school's process.

Distinguish invitation, assignment, and submission

These statuses are easy to confuse:

• Asked: The person verbally or by email agreed.
• Invited: Their information was entered into the system.
• Assigned: The recommender was connected to a specific college.
• Started: The supporter began the form.
• Submitted: The supporter sent the form through the platform.
• Received: The college or applicant portal shows receipt.

Track the correct status without repeatedly contacting a recommender who has already completed the work.

Can recommendations arrive after the student application?

In many workflows, the student and supporter submit their parts separately. However, colleges and high schools establish their own deadlines and grace periods. Students should not assume that a late recommendation will be accepted. Verify the college's policy and school procedure.

The student's job is to submit the student-controlled application by the correct deadline and communicate with supporters according to the agreed timeline.

Final pre-submission checklist

Before submitting to a college, verify:

• The correct counselor is connected through the school's system.
• Required teacher recommendations are assigned.
• Optional letters are included only when they add value and are accepted.
• FERPA is complete.
• School forms and transcript procedures are understood.
• The application preview shows the intended college, plan, term, and writing.
• The application fee or fee-waiver response is correct.
• The student has saved any required portfolio or external-program confirmation.

After submission:

• Save the Common App confirmation.
• Activate the college applicant portal.
• Check whether school documents and recommendations are marked received.
• Follow up through the school or college's stated process if something remains missing.
• Thank recommenders.

Frequently asked questions

Do all colleges require teacher recommendations?

No. Common App states that recommendation requirements are set by each college.

Can the same teacher be assigned to multiple colleges?

The Common App system can allow a recommender to be assigned where accepted, but students must complete the assignment process and follow school rules.

Can a parent be an advisor?

Common App describes advisors as people who assist with the application, including family members. Advisors do not submit forms, and colleges do not receive advisor information.

What if my school uses Naviance?

Follow the school's instructions and the text shown in Common App. The counselor and teacher invitation workflow can differ when an integration partner is used.

Should I waive my right to review recommendations?

Read the current FERPA explanation and discuss the implications with a school counselor or qualified advisor. The student should make the decision knowingly.

Build a recommendation and deadline plan

Use ChanceLab to assign owners, internal deadlines, and weekly application tasks.

Sources

• Common App: First-year application guide
• Common App: Counselors and recommenders
• Common App: Recommender guide
• Common App: Understanding the recommendation process