When is the best time to start writing college essays? Obviously, I think as soon as possible would be ideal but I was wondering if anybody had input?
As my junior year is ending and summer is beginning to roll around, the idea of college is getting more real.
What are some tips that you wish you knew before you started?
If you know your schools require them, starting the “why x” is always a good start. Or, if you know that every year without fail the same questions will be asked you can start those beginning of summer. But don’t start prompts for schools you know change it up. I’d start those as soon as they come out. Less busy during summer most likely. Senioritis and college anxiety is real.
If it’s a lot of schools and a lot of supplements I’d do them in order for which they’re due.
I’d get them done over the summer if you can, or at least good drafts. I didn’t and my essays were bad because I started like a month before.
My opinion. It’s what works for you and your schedule.
Start now if you have the time to do so. Summer and the first few months of senior year will fly by very quickly…
Start now let’s face it not much gets done in school during and after AP testing, before school lets out for the summer. Make use of that time. Finish before school starts in the Fall and brush up the essays up during September. Remember some schools won’t release essay topics until August 1 or a bit later. If you follow the schools you are thinking of applying to on social media they sometimes “leak” essay topics early.
Before you leave for your summer vacation, ask teachers to write your LORs. Summer is a good time to do a first draft of your essay(s). My younger kid also started her application in the summer.
@OhWhatsHerName I didn’t think of doing “why x” that seems like one I could do since it is a common question asked. Thank you!
@MrElonMusk I’ll try to budget time in to do it now!
@labegg Unfortunately, I am at my internship right now instead of going to actual school (besides AP test days) so I won’t be able to work on them that much during this month, but the social media trick is really helpful!
@oldfort My school sets up the LOR process for me so I’ve already got that done, but thank you! It seems like I will definitely be doing some writing this summer!