2026-2027 Common App Release Notes

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Please note: these Release Notes are subject to change as additional changes could be added. Should Common App add additional adjustments, we will update this article as quickly as possible.

The Common Application changes for the 2026-2027 imports do not require changes to the standard TargetX informatica mapping. A summary of changes is below. Below are the steps to copy your existing 2025-2026 mapping and make small updates to reuse your template for 2026-2027.

Note: to view the full Common App Data Catalog, see Data Catalogs.

Summary of Changes

First Year

All columns for Legal Guardian are no longer available in the file and should be removed from mappings.
New columns added for siblings 6 through 10 (these are identical to siblings 1 through 5).
Updated TOEFL columns include a new total score format. Fields are available in the February ‘26 release (Recruitment Manager package).
New columns for additional Duolingo scores. Fields are available in the July ‘26 Standard Imports update release (Recruitment Manager package).
Start and End date columns are now available for activities and can be mapped to the Start Date and End Date fields in Extra Curricular Activity.

New Fields/Questions

Note: the 2026-2027 templates do not include new fields because the new questions added are not mandatory. However, if you wish to map these questions, you have the option to create a new field and incorporate it into your mapping.


Question	Options/Type
Over24	Yes, No
Fee waiver affirmation	I Understand
Independent Student	Yes, No
Independent student first-generation	Yes, No, I Don't Know
Independent student living situation	IDK, Myself, Family, Legal_guardian, Roommates, Spouse, Other
Independent student other living situation	Text (100)
Parent (1, 2) Living - optional	Yes, No
Parent (1, 2) First Name - optional	Text (50)
Parent (1, 2) Last Name - optional	Text (50)
Parent (1, 2) Education Level - optional	Education Level
Sibling (6-10) First Name	Text (50)
Sibling (6-10) Last Name	Text (50)
Sibling (6-10) Age	Number
TOEFL iBT MyBest Total Score	Number
TOEFL iBT total score	Number
PTE test version	PTE_Academic, PTE_Express
PTE score report code	Text (10)
PTE overall score	Number
PTE overall score date	Date
Duolingo Speaking score	Number
Duolingo Writing score	Number
Duolingo Reading score	Number
Duolingo Listening score	Number
Activity (1-10) have honors	Yes, No
Activity (1-10) start date	Date
Activity (1-10) still participating	Yes, No
Activity (1-10) end date	Date

Recommendation

There are no updates to First-Year Recommendations for 2026-2027.

Transfer

New Fields/Questions

Note: the 2026-2027 templates do not include new fields because the new questions added are not mandatory. However, if you desire to map these questions, you have the option to create a new field and incorporate it into your mapping.

Question	Options/Type
Verified Current Address	Verified, Not Verified, Incorrect Apartment Number
Verified Permanent Address	Verified, Not Verified, Incorrect Apartment Number

Copying your existing 2025-2026 mapping for use in 2026-2027

Click Data Integration.
Create a New Folder for your 2026-2027 Common App mappings.
Click Explore and locate your Common App First Year, Recommendation, and Transfer folders.
Click the checkbox next to each folder and select Copy To from the menu:

Select the folder for your 2026-2027 Common App mappings.
Update the Name of the Tasks to reflect the 2026-2027 year.

Import Instructions

Current Users

First Year

In the Common Application Member Portal, export a test application data file using your 2026-2027 TargetX export template.
Place your test file in your Informatica dropbox and rename the file to CA_Data.txt.
In all mappings, synchronize all fields in the Mapping Source and apply any updates to your customizations.
1. Here is a video walkthrough showing how to synchronize fields.
2. Here is an article on importing tasks in Informatica.
Prior to importing a full data file, please test multiple scenarios to ensure data is imported as desired.

Recommendation

In the Common Application Member Portal, export a test recommendation data file using your 2026-2027 TargetX export template.
Place your test file in your Informatica dropbox and rename the file to CA_Rec_Data.txt.
In all mappings synchronize all fields in the mapping source and apply any updates to your customizations.
1. Here is a video walkthrough showing how to synchronize fields.
Prior to importing a full data file, please test multiple scenarios to ensure data is imported as desired.

Transfer

In WebAdMIT, export a test transfer application data file using your 2026-2027 TargetX export template.
Place your test file in your Informatica dropbox and rename the file to TR_Data.txt.
In all mappings synchronize all fields in the mapping source and apply any updates to your customizations.
1. Here is a video walkthrough showing how to synchronize fields.
Prior to importing a full data file, please test multiple scenarios to ensure data is imported as desired.

New Users

Contact TargetX Support to have the Common App Informatica tasks imported into your Informatica org.

First Year

In the Common Application Member Portal, export a test application data file using your 2026-2027 TargetX export template.
Place your test file in your Informatica dropbox and rename the file to CA_Data.txt.
In all mappings, synchronize all fields in the mapping source.
- Here is a video walkthrough showing how to synchronize fields.
The standard import template does not include mapping for an institution’s member specific questions. You will want to update the mappings and mapping tasks to map other data fields from your file.
- Here is a video walkthrough showing how to map custom data.
Update all connections that are part of the Common App import based on your Informatica secure agent servers file structure.
- Here are two video walkthroughs showing the connection updates:
  - Common App Connections - Part 1
  - Common App Connections - Part 2
Prior to importing a full data file, please test multiple scenarios to ensure data is imported as desired.

Recommendation

In the Common Application Member Portal, export a test recommendation data file using your 2026-2027 TargetX export template.
Place your test file in your Informatica dropbox and rename the file to CA_Rec_Data.txt.
In all mappings, synchronize all fields in the mapping source.
- Here is a video walkthrough showing how to synchronize fields.
The standard import template does not include mappings for all questions. You will want to update the mappings and mapping tasks to map other data fields from your file.
- Here is a video walkthrough showing how to map custom data.
Prior to importing a full data file, please test multiple scenarios to ensure data is imported as desired.

Transfer

In WebAdMIT, export a test transfer application data file using your 2026-2027 TargetX export template.
Place your test file in your Informatica dropbox and rename the file to TR_Data.txt.
In all mappings, synchronize all fields in the mapping source.
- Here is a video walkthrough showing how to synchronize fields.
The standard import template does not include mapping for an institution’s custom questions. You will want to update the mappings and mapping tasks to map other data fields from your file.
- Here is a video walkthrough showing how to map custom data.
Prior to importing a full data file, please test multiple scenarios to ensure data is imported as desired.