<p>For those who have juniors, when should they start their common apps? In other words, is there a new version that comes out, and if so, when? I've looked at the website, but it's quite possible I'm being an idiot and it's there and I haven't figured it out.</p>
<p>In general, what is "good" timing for working on apps, essays, etc., esp for kids who are interested in EA / ED programs?</p>
<p>By the end of the school year, my current hs juniors will have 2 rounds of ACT (one is required by state), 3 - 4 AP tests (our school limits the # of AP classes that can be taken), and their SAT II's, and will have finished the bulk of college visits (though there may be an outlier or two over the summer). How best to structure the remaining months, and when to start on what?</p>
<p>I believe you can start in july, but not all supplements are out until like Sept.</p>
<p>I would start early, so you can do a little at a time. I had my common app finished by Oct. 1st and never worked more than half an hour at a time</p>
<p>We never figured out if there was a way to submit Common App to some schools early for EA, if the essays were not good enough yet for all of the schools. So do what you can juniors to pump out your essays over the summer.</p>
<p>Pizzagirl-It sounds as if you are very organized and your kids are on track. The only thing I would suggest is that they work on some essays (multiple ones) during the summer. I think you can download a current common app (cant remember when they change, but the changes are minor) and they can get an idea of how they want to fill out things like the EC portion, etc. Also, some schools have their own supplements, you will need to contact them individually to find out when the new version is available</p>
<p>Check the ED/EA due dates (usually around Nov 1) and make sure that everything is sent 2-3 weeks early. Get everything you need (transcript request,recommendation form, etc.) to the GC at least 2-3 weeks ahead of deadline, same with teacher rec forms. So things should be ready to go in Sept if possible.</p>
<p>As someone who works in a hs guidance office, I second the advice above about doing things early. HS offices are less overwhelmed in Sept. and Oct. and we can get things out more quickly. The colleges are less overwhelmed and can properly match up mail and applications. If you send things early and it gets misfiled, there is time to send it again. </p>
<p>Fast forward to the week before winter break - we are deluged with requests for 1/1 deadlines and the colleges are weeks behind in sorting through bins of mail. </p>
<p>Do it early, keep track of each school’s requirements and when things were sent and keep track of your various passwords and you will be in good shape!</p>
<p>The common app essays haven’t changed in years and there’s alway a write your own prompt option, so if you can get a kid to write an essay over the summer more power to you! I don’t think filling out the form otherwise takes much time. There is a short response about one of your ECs, which ultimately became one of my son’s best essays, but not until about the day before EA applications were due. It definitely doesn’t hurt to start talking about essay topics over the summer, however don’t count on any substantial work getting done without a deadline looming. Hence the importance of rolling or EA schools!</p>
<p>It’s definitely possible to make different versions of the Common App for each college (beyond the supplement differences), just don’t ask me how. That was my son’s job.</p>
<p>Different versions of common app - key is the instruction to “replicate” - there are threads on CC explaining it in detail. Basically, you make one version and submit it to one school. Log back in - go to instructions - there is a link to replicate - which allows you to make alternate versions of the original common app. You can make numerous versions if you want to customize something in the essay or short answer to respond more precisely to each school.</p>
<p>My kids’ high school requires/pleads/begs the kids to get their college apps done by the end of October. They do this primarily because our flagship UofM has an early is better admissions cycle. I never had any luck getting S1 or S2 to start anything during summer break, but once school started after Labor Day they pretty much got in the groove and started working on their essays, apps, recommendations, etc. and both managed to finish up by the end of October in time for rolling schools and EA schools. During late summer we did manage to get them to commit to a list of schools to apply and had created folders and they had downloaded information so they were in go mode but not keystroking any content. In retrospect they were happy and grateful to be on top of the process. If you can get your kids to start in the summer so much the better…I just couldn’t make that happen… but the combination of my H and I along with the pressure from the school in early September did the trick. The only thing I’m noticing is that S2 is very quickly loosing interest in the regular decision schools that he has not yet heard from. That time spread from November to April is too long and these two particular schools only had ED cycles or regular…no EA. His EA and rolling schools are sending information, finaid info, housing info, registration info, calling him and the two lingering colleges are just becoming a distant memory.</p>
<p>If there is a particular EA/ED school that your student is interested in, you can always call and ask them if it will be changing the supplemental essays prompts. We did this for Stanford. They said the prompts were not changing. We had a little glitch in trying to get at them through the Common App web site, since by then the prior year’s application period was done. However, I sent in a Common App “ticket” (question) explaining the issue, and they provided me prompt access to what was needed.</p>
<p>One other thought about the essays. No matter how good a writer the student is, it’s advisable that they have a “chief editor” to go over the essays. No, not to rewrite the essays, but to talk it over with the student to make sure their thoughts are demonstrated well in the essay. Some students choose to use their English teachers, which is fine but I caution some of those same teachers are also busy writing LORs for seniors. </p>
<p>A parent can serve this role, but it’s sometimes too much if you are assisting with other parts of the process. Additionally, the student may just be reticent in showing a parent the essay. Our solution was to ask my sister in law to help with the process. She’s an attorney and knows how to write well. She knows S well enough, but not extremely well since she lives out of the area. We visited her once in the summer, so S could hash out essay ideas with her, and the rest was done over the internet. This worked well for us.</p>
<p>I think the common app is available starting on July 1st. D went to a summer program last year on July 5th & I remember that she started the common app before she left, as well as completely finishing the UAlabama app. When she went to the HS for her schedule at the end of July, she requested her transcripts be sent then (the office was in session and there was certainly no line!) She had her first acceptance in hand by mid August which was nice. Most high schools have office hours in the summer, and the guidance office is usually staffed. If they have a list of where they’re applying by then, I’d recommend getting the transcripts sent early.</p>