The Common Applicationis a tool that can simplify the admissions process to many American colleges, reports the Washington Post. Students may fill out one application to apply to any of the Common Application members, which currently includes more than 450 colleges and universities across the country. 

According to the Common Application, the tool is beneficial because applicants are able to “spend less time on the busywork of applying for admission, and more time on what's really important: college research, visits, essay writing, and senior-year coursework.”

Check the school search page to make sure the school you want to attend is Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified. Only a school that is SEVP-certified can accept international students.

Sources:

• College admissions season begins with launch of 2012-13 Common Application;Washington Post
• The Common Application