根据《美国留学快报》的报道，受CAAS联盟申请系统的影响，今年通用网申Common Application做了一些变化，除了是界面更美观，还提前开放了系统，多增加了一个性别身份选择。这些小细节是CA为申请人考虑，更人性化的设计。我们逐一看看这几个变化。
1. 提前开放，且不清空去年的申请账户信息
通常，CA会在6-7月间清空往年所有申请账户的信息，并把网站关闭一段时间，然后在8月1日重启启动。而今年CA不会关闭或清理旧账户，并且提早开放了系统，目的是为了让很多早申请(申请ED, EA, REA)的同学，提早着手申请流程，熟悉网申系统。毕竟，精准、细致、无缺漏地填写CA的各种表格，是一个技术含量大、耗时、耗力的任务。
2. 性别一栏，增加一项填写
往年的性别只有male和female之分，而今年CA系统增加了一栏文本栏(Text Box)，让申请人自己描述性别。这和现代社会的进步和*容有关，比如有些做了变性手术的学生，他们可以在这一栏填自己想成为的那个性别(虽然和我们大部分出国党无关，但这一细节真的体现了社会的进步，CA的进步)
3. 今年新增48所高校使用CA系统
在原有的700多所成员院校的基础上，今年将会有48个优秀的大学新加入CA的庞大队伍。这些新成员来自美国22个州，以及5个除美国之外的国家。其中有11个属于美国公立学校，26个美国私立校，和11个国际学校。以下是部分新成员的名单：
Bard College at Simon's Rock
Dean College
Indiana University-Bloomington
Massachusetts College of Art and Design
Ohio University
Paul Smith's College
St. Andrews University
University of Alabama at Birmingham
University of Bridgeport
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Western Illinois University
Baylor University
Middle Tennessee State University
以上是变化，不变的是文书题目，依然和去年一样是下面5个，申请人任选：
1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful that they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, please share that story.
2. The lessons we take from failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
3. Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?
4. Describe a problem you’ve solved or a problem you’d like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma-anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.
5. Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.
