What is the Common Black College Application?

There is something called a Common Application and most of the high schoolers are aware of it. 

Well, a common application is nothing but an application that is in digital format and can accommodate at least up to the top 20 colleges of your preference. But there is something called a  Common Black College Application which most of the students are unaware of. It is another form of application. So, let’s discuss these applications in detail. 

What is a Common Black College Application?

A Common Black College Application is a provision of sending college applications to different universities which are called the “Historic Black Colleges and Universities.” If you are interested in studying in one of the HBCUs, i.e. History Black College Universities you can go for the Common Black College Application. This allows you to apply at 49 HBCUs at one go. The fee is also very minimal, i.e. $35. Usually, in other Common College Application, you pay a fee ranging from $0 to $90. So, isn’t it the best way to apply. Pay once and your application will be made available to all  49 HBCUs. 

How do you apply through the Common Black College Application?

To apply to colleges by CBCA, you have to visit their official website, i.e. commonblackcollegeapp.com, and then you can click on the “Apply Now” option. Then you will have to answer a few things like, What are your four preferred colleges,  basic information, high school background, approximate GPA, your preferable major at college, etc.  Here you will not find any blank space to write an essay, even you are not asked to submit a LOC through this form of application. But you can definitely approach the schools you are interested in and can ask them whether they need any LOC or essay from your side to be submitted. Through this form, you cannot send your SAT or ACT scores so all you can do is mail or fax to CBCA or to individual colleges separately. 

Benefits of CBCA

Let us discuss a few benefits of CBCA here:

1. The CBCA application form price is very low as compared to other application prices. 

2. You can have 49 Historic Black Colleges and Universities. 

3. Even by paying a low fee, you can have access to some of the top universities in the country.

4. If you are looking for History Black colleges, this form of application may be the best option for you. 

Drawbacks of CBCA

The CBCA, however, has some disadvantages which are discussed below:

1. The CBCA  application format is not very technologically advanced. 

2. You cannot apply to more than 4 colleges at once.

3. You cannot send your LOC or essay through CBCA along with your college preference at once, you have to fax them separately.

4. Top 3 HBCUs are not listed in CBCA.

Though CBCA is not a very well developed and technically advanced version of the application, it is still preferred by many students. As a student, if you have more preferences you can always contact your school and tell them about your preference for the college. 

Even though it has got limitations and drawbacks, it still hasn’t lost its charm over the years. Students may not have reached the colleges individually, but this gives them a great platform to apply to such Historic Black Colleges and Universities. 

Few Reputed and Renowned HBCUs 

The CBCA colleges are spread at 17 states all across the country. Out of these 49 universities, 18 are public universities and 31 are private universities. Many of these are regional universities but in this list, there are universities that are famous and are considered among top colleges and universities of the world. For example, the Cheyney University of Pennsylvania which is considered to be one of the top and oldest universities in the country is also part of HBCU. According to US news, some of the universities among the HBCUs which rank high are:

• 4th rank - Tuskegee University (TN)

• 8th rank - Fisk University (TN)

• 9th rank - Claflin University (SC)

• 12th rank - Dillard University (LA)

• 15th rank - Johnson C. Smith University (NC)

• 17th rank - Bennett College (NC)

Not only these but even besides this, there are a lot of top-level universities that one can apply to. HBCUs can be considered as a great alternative for students looking for Historic Black Colleges.

Concluding Thoughts

A few points to be noted are, 

• If you wish to apply to the top three Historic Black Colleges, then you cannot apply through CBCA, you have to apply to these colleges separately or you can use the Common Application form. Those top three colleges are Spelman, Howard, or Morehouse. 

• If you belong to the low-income category then you can request the fee waiver to make your college application entirely free. 

Historic colleges are always seen as old good schools and many people die for opportunities. So why not you. So make sure you make the best use of this application and get into a good university of your choice.