College App Headstart? Help please :)

<p>SOOO everyone says you should start working on college apps and college essays in the summer of your junior year...which is coming up for me. </p>

<p>But since most colleges don't release their applications or anything until July or August, what exactly should I be working on? </p>

<p>What parts of the college app process could i start over junior year summer? </p>

<p>Also, are there any prompts of colleges that generally don't change form year to year and I can work on them over summer for sure? </p>

<p>It would also be AWESOME if people could post some of the prompts and supplementary questions they had among BS/ MD programs(along with the college it was from) that they had to answer this application season.</p>

<p>OH and it would be great if I could see what kinds of supplements the BS/MD programs request as well...I'm sure they'll be the usual "Why did you choose medicine?" "Why BS/MD?" But please include any and all of the supplement prompts you've answered and their corresponding school.</p>

<p>ANY OTHER ADVICE THAT I MAY NEED...what should i do over summer to help me with the whole process? </p>

<p>Thanks for all your help! :)</p>

<p>My essays, which I remixed for each program, were why medicine? and also which medical experiences?. Common App also keeps its first essay choice the same from year to year too, so you can start that also. Some also asked for a moment of leadership or adversity in a short answer</p>

<p>Visit the colleges since most keep track of each visit and get personal interivews this summer. Shadow a doctor, volunteer to add to EC’s since many programs want public service. Take the SAT’s a third time to try to max them out and get an SAT tutor if you can swing one financially. Take college level premed courses - even the Ivies offer them to rising seniors.</p>

<p>Start work on the main essay and the supplemental essays. Have an english major refine the essays. Pick an unusal essay topic that will grab the admission officer by the lapels and speak to him or her. With your apps send a photo so the admission officer from your area will remember you from the interview.</p>

<p>Learn about an underserved medical speciality like ped neurology or ped rheumotolgy and become an expert in it so you can talk about it for 30 minutes withou notes.</p>

<p>There are about 40 combined programs some give half rides and other give full rides. A few used to give free rides to medical school. Apply to every one that you can see yourself actually attending.</p>

<p>Good Luck and do your homework now!</p>