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When the Common App indicates that an application has been “downloaded by college,” it signifies that the admissions office at a particular institution has retrieved the applicant’s submitted materials from the Common Application system. This action doesn’t imply a decision regarding admission. It simply means the college now has access to review the complete application, including transcripts, essays, and letters of recommendation. For instance, if an applicant submitted an application to University X and the Common App displays “downloaded by college” for University X, it confirms that the university’s admissions team possesses the necessary documents to begin their evaluation process.

The “downloaded by college” status is a crucial marker in the application process as it assures the applicant that their materials have reached their intended destination. Before this status appears, the applicant can confirm that all necessary documents are submitted and make corrections if needed. Historically, the Common App provided limited insight into the application status. The introduction of this indicator brought greater transparency, allowing applicants to track the progress of their submissions with increased confidence. This also alleviates the need for direct inquiries to admissions offices simply to confirm receipt, freeing up resources for both applicants and institutions.

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