On Tuesday, the counseling team at Oyster Bay High School gave incoming seniors a valuable jump on college applications by hosting its annual Common App Bootcamp in the school library. The goal for the day was for each student to leave with a completed Common App. 

The Common Application is used by hundreds of colleges and universities across the U.S. and abroad, enabling students to apply to multiple schools with a single online form. Although essays and supplemental materials vary by school, the Common App streamlines the core application process.

Led by Director of Guidance Dr. Joy-Anne D’Anca, the counseling team spent the first hour of the bootcamp guiding students through account setup and the initial steps of the application. Once underway, students worked independently while counselors circulated to answer questions and provide one-on-one support.

Later in the morning, admissions officers from Molloy, Adelphi, SUNY Oswego, SUNY Geneseo, and other local universities joined the program to share insights on crafting strong college essays. They gave students insight into what admissions readers look for in a personal essay and discussed ethical ways to use AI to support essay writing. Each student then met individually with an admissions officer in ten-minute slots to review essay drafts or receive feedback on their essay ideas.

By the end of the day, the seniors were well on their way, with Common Apps completed, essays strengthened, and a clearer understanding of the application process ahead.