The three major online application systems for US universities are now open! The 2026 application season has officially begun!
The three major online application systems for American universities—CA, UC, and CAAS—officially opened on August 1st, marking the start of the 2026 US undergraduate application season!
Fall 26 students, the US undergraduate application journey is about to begin. Your first priority is to thoroughly understand the various application systems. While the Common Application and UC Application are well-known platforms, there are numerous other unique online application systems for US universities. Understanding the system used by your dream school, mastering its usage, and developing the most effective application strategy are crucial steps to a successful application.
Online Application Systems for American Universities
CA: Common Application
UC: UC Application
California Application System
CAAS: The Coalition for Access, Affordability, and Success
UCA: Universal College Application
CSU MENTOR: California State University Application
Apply SUNY: State University of New York Application
Apply Texas: Texas In-State University Application
Separate Application Systems for Other Schools
Below, we’ll review the major application systems for American universities to help you find the best fit among the many options.
01 CA: Common Application
The Common Application, or CA, is one of the three major online application systems for undergraduate admissions in the United States. It has the largest reach and is currently one of the most widely used systems for American university applications, with over 3 million students applying online each year.
The Common Application (CA) system includes top universities such as Harvard, Yale, and Princeton. However, not all of the top 50 US universities use the CA application system. Therefore, before applying, students must carefully review the application requirements and procedures for each university and choose the right application method.
Application Website:
https://www.commonapp.org/
Opening Date: August 1, 2025
Deadline: Subject to change at each university
Applicable Schools: Applicable to over 1,000 universities in the US. With the exception of MIT and the University of California, most universities accept the CA application.
System Features
The most significant feature of the CA Common Application is that applicants can use a single application form, including standardized test scores, essays, background information, and letters of recommendation, to apply to multiple universities, significantly reducing application time.
For universities that accept the CA, the CA is the same as their own application system; no one university prefers its own system. However, many universities require supplementary materials, including additional questions, forms, or additional essays (e.g., “why essay”).
Application Steps
- Collect relevant information such as transcripts and academic awards;
- Create a CA account;
- Add the schools you are applying to;
- Contact your recommenders and complete relevant documents such as letters of recommendation;
- Consolidate this information and upload it to the system;
- Complete the relevant documents for your target schools, such as the required essay or short-answer questions.
02 UC: UC Application
California Application System
The University of California, or UC, is a public university system in California, United States, and one of the most influential public university systems in the United States.
The UC system consists of ten schools. With the exception of the San Francisco campus, which is primarily a medical school (and does not admit undergraduate students), the other nine are comprehensive universities. They share a common application system, meaning you only need to submit one application, regardless of how many campuses you apply to.
Application Website:
https://apply.universityofcalifornia.edu/my-application/login
Opening Date: August 1, 2025
Deadline: Subject to individual university admissions
Applicable Schools: UC Berkeley, UCLA, UC Davis, and all nine UC campuses.
System Features
The nine UC campuses use a separate California application system. Only one application form is required, improving the efficiency of the application process.
A key feature of the UC application system is that there is no Early Decision (EA) or Early Decision (ED) application process; there is only one application round, resulting in a tight application deadline. Therefore, students aiming for UC should prioritize course selection, essays, and GPA.
Application Steps
- Create an account;
- Complete your profile, including information such as your standardized test scores, academic background, activities you have participated in, and awards you have received. Please remember to click Save after completing each page.
- About Standardized Test Scores
SAT/ACT: These tests will not be considered for admission or scholarships, but may be used as an alternative to minimum admission requirements or in course placement after enrollment.
AP/IB/TOEFL/IELTS: Students must report scores for these tests separately. If taking them later, an explanation must be provided.
03 CAAS: Coalition Application
Coalition Application System
The Coalition Application, short for “Coalition for Access, Affordability, and Success,” or CAAS for short, is a new college application system developed jointly by over 100 public and private universities and liberal arts colleges in the United States, led by Harvard and Yale.
The Coalition Application platform requires students to document their academic and personal experiences from grades 9-11 and then submit their application materials to universities through the Coalition Application. This is ideal for students who have been planning their activities and background since 9th grade!
Application Website:
https://www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org/
Opening Date: August 1, 2025
Deadline: Subject to individual institution
Applicable Institutions: CAAS currently partners with over 150 public and private institutions, including Harvard, Yale, and Duke, and can submit applications through this system.
Reminder: Most CAAS-partnered institutions also accept the Common App. The following universities exclusively accept CAAS applications: University of Florida, University of Washington (Seattle), and University of Maryland.
System Features
CAAS is all about affordability. Its biggest draw is its waiver of university application fees and the provision of additional scholarships.
The CAAS system offers a temporary save function, allowing students to track their application and upload progress. CAAS emphasizes that applying to colleges as early as possible. Therefore, students can register for an account as early as ninth grade. As they progress through college, they can record their achievements, such as daily quiz scores, art and music projects, and scientific papers. This allows CAAS to present a more comprehensive picture of students, not just those with outstanding academic backgrounds.
Application Steps
- Register an Account: Complete the required information and verification according to the system requirements. After registration, complete your profile and upload relevant identification information, standardized test scores, and award information.
- Locker: Locker is a prominent feature of the CAAS application system. Students can upload their learning achievements in Locker starting in ninth grade.
- Account Linking: Link your account with advisors and co-admission partners. Documents in Locker can be shared with advisors and co-admission partners through the Collaboration Space.
- Select a school and submit your application.
04 Other Online Application Systems
UCA
UCA, also known as the Universal College Application System, was launched in 2007. The system currently has relatively few partner institutions, but its website layout is clear and concise, allowing students to clearly see information about institutions and their application progress.
Application Website:
http://www.universalcollegeapp.com/
Applicable Institutions: Currently accepted by over 70 institutions, including Harvard, Duke, and Carnegie Mellon University.
Apply SUNY
The State University of New York is the world’s largest university, with 64 campuses. All institutions within the system can be applied to through Apply SUNY, but applying to multiple institutions requires multiple application fees. The system operation is similar to other systems.
Application Website:
https://www.suny.edu/attend/apply-to-suny/
Applicable Institutions: Applicants can apply to all 64 campuses of the State University of New York.
System Advantages: Since SUNY institutions receive annual state funding, tuition is relatively affordable.
Apply Texas
Apply Texas is the application system for universities within the state of Texas, including both public and private universities.
Application Website:
https://www.applytexas.org/
Eligible Schools: Applicants can apply to the University of Texas at Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, El Paso, and Tyler, among others.
Reminder: Apply Texas does not have a check function, so students should be careful to ensure the accuracy of their information when uploading it. The Apply Texas upload system is also quite complex, requiring multiple system transitions.
CSU Mentor
CSU Mentor is the California State University application system. The application deadline is generally late November each year.
Application Website:
https://www.calstate.edu/apply
Eligible Schools: Applicants can apply to any of the 23 California State University campuses, including California State University, Long Beach, California State University, Fullerton, and California State University, San Bernardino.
05 School Independent Online Application System
In addition to the application systems mentioned above, some schools also use their own independent application systems. While these systems have their own unique features, the required information is generally similar.
One important thing to note is that sometimes different colleges within the same university may use different application systems (or interfaces). Therefore, it is best to click the “Apply” button on the page for your desired program when applying.
Independent Online Application Systems for American Universities
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) online application:
https://apply.mitadmissions.org/apply/
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign online application:
https://admissions.illinois.edu/apply
Penn State University, College Park online application:
https://www.psu.edu/
University of Wisconsin-Madison online application:
https://www.admissions.wisc.edu/apply/
University of Pittsburgh online application:
https://www.admissions.pitt.edu/apply
Rutgers University online application:
https://admissions.rutgers.edu/apply#application
Virginia Tech online application:
https://www.vt.edu/admissions/undergraduate/apply.html
With the start of August, the 2026 Fall application season has begun. Applying early often increases your chances of admission, so students should act now and use the precious summer vacation time to thoroughly review and refine their application materials.
In this challenging 2026 Fall application season, I hope every student will seize the opportunity, showcase their talents, and ultimately win the favor of their dream school, stand out, and receive a heartwarming offer!
