Admissions

Oregon State Tool Helps Walk Students Through Common Application

• By Rhea Kelly
• 08/29/22

In partnership with the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA), Oregon State University has developed a free online tool to help students complete college applications. The AXS Companion provides step-by-step information and videos to walk students through the Common Application, an undergraduate college admission application used by more than 1,000 colleges and universities across the United States, including Oregon State.

According to the university, the goals of the AXS Companion are to:

• Increase student access to the Common Application, particularly for under-represented students;
• Help students better understand their college application options; and
• Provide a structured resource to positively impact college applicants nationwide.

The platform was built by Ecampus, Oregon State's online education arm, with content provided by IECA — including more than 50 modules that correspond to sections of the Common Application. ICEA is a nonprofit, international professional association representing experienced independent educational consultants who provide college counseling for student and families.

"This tool provides critical assistance for underserved and first-generation students navigating the process of applying to college," explained Ed Feser, provost and executive vice president at Oregon State, in a university news story. "The collaborative development of this tool also speaks to Oregon State's commitment to providing access to a college education not only for learners in Oregon, but throughout the nation and world."