Common App vs WebAdMIT
Common App
commonapp.orgWebAdMIT
liaisonedu.comSide by side
| Figure | Common App | WebAdMIT |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 2 | 1 |
| Spec score · Admissions Software | 8.7 (#1) | 7.3 (#17) |
| Founded | 1975 | 1990 |
| Headquarters | Arlington, Virginia, United States | Brighton, Massachusetts, United States |
| Integrations | Counselors using a Common App integration partner submit school forms through that partner rather than directly in the recommender system. | WebAdMIT is natively integrated with participating CAS data and its API can transfer applicant data to institutional SIS or ERP systems such as Slate and Banner. |
| Purpose | Common App helps students discover colleges, submit applications, and navigate the college admissions process. | WebAdMIT is an admissions management automation platform for recruiting, evaluating, admitting, and enrolling students. |
| Security | The privacy policy says supported browsers use TLS for server authentication and data encryption, and that personal data is stored in the United States. | WebAdMIT uses AWS, and its technical requirements specify TLS 1.2 as the minimum secure connection standard. |
| Support | Common App directs first-year applicants to online support and provides a separate online support route for transfer students. | WebAdMIT support is available at [email protected] or 857-304-2020, and the help center lists training options. |
Plans
In their own words
Common App
Common App helps students explore colleges, submit applications, and navigate the admissions process. It serves first-year and transfer applicants and lets students explore more than 1,100 Common App colleges. Its first-year guidance covers gathering materials, setting up an account, adding colleges, engaging supporters, reviewing requirements, planning essays, and submitting an application. Accounts can roll over from year to year, and answers in My Common Application can be saved across years. Students who complete a profile may receive non-binding direct admission offers from participating colleges before submitting an application; applying through the program to colleges offering those admissions is free. Otherwise, each college decides whether to charge an application fee and the amount, and many colleges do not charge one. Qualifying students may be eligible for a Common App fee waiver, subject to participating colleges’ policies. The nonprofit membership organization describes its focus as access, equity, and integrity in college admission. Common App is available on web, Android, and iOS. It lists integrations with CRM and SIS providers, school counseling platforms, and embedded services including SlideRoom and UStrive.
WebAdMIT
WebAdMIT is an admissions management platform for recruiting, evaluating, admitting, and enrolling students. Its centralized applicant database supports searching, filtering, sorting, and tracking progress. Staff can assign applications to reviewers or committees, add comments, review supporting documents, and score applications. Email templates, correspondence tracking, and automated notifications, reminders, and updates support applicant communication. Reporting and analysis tools help monitor application trends and recruitment strategies. WebAdMIT integrates with participating Liaison Centralized Application Service data, and its API can transfer applicant data to institutional SIS or ERP systems such as Slate and Banner. Export options include customized files, bulk PDF downloads, reports, and scheduled SFTP delivery to an SIS. It works in current Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge browsers; Internet Explorer is no longer supported. Smartphone and tablet access is possible in a compatible browser, though Liaison recommends a computer. Pricing is on request; a complimentary plan is listed for programs participating in a Liaison Centralized Application Service.