<p>Congrats to all on the recent acceptances! We've been advised that one of the best things you can do during the summer months before the applications are submitted is to write the essays. Do most students call the Admissions Office to find out what the essay topics are? The school websites are in most cases not to clear about this. Thank you.</p>
<p>Go to the Common Application site if the school takes that and you will be able to see the school supplement which has the extra essays. Several conservatories use the unified application for conservatories and they also have school supplements there. If the school uses neither than you’re stuck with the college website. These should be available sometime during the summer. In the case of conservatories and many schools of music, application deadlines can be as early as November 1st so you’re right to want to start early. The time flies.</p>
<p>My son’s english class wrote their essay for the common app as their first assignment of senior year. It was so helpful to have that done. He was able to use that essay on 3 of his 6 applications. If you get it done over the summer, you’ll be one step ahead of the game.</p>
<p>One great thing that the student can do is have some idea of the “why” essay for the schools that he/she is absolutely going to apply to. This allows the student to dive deeper into the culture of the school and get a good feel of what it is like from an “online” version anyway. S made a list of likes/dislikes while visiting schools - he had a narrowed down list by summer - this could be done using the websites as well.</p>
<p>Another would be to choose a topic for the common app essay and work on that. S was able to use versions of that on almost all his music applications. He only had 2 common app schools. (you can find this list of questions easily by using google)</p>
<p>I believe Manhattan School of Music asked about someone you admire and how that impacts you - another that can be done over the summer. </p>
<p>S found for the most part that the schools did not change too much from year to year as he pretty much knew the schools he was interested in by spring of Junior year.</p>
<p>Remember that for music - the application deadlines are early - most by Dec 1. It is VERY helpful to have at least good rough drafts of these ahead of Sept. The Prescreen process is a big focus during the fall months as well.</p>
<p>Good luck! Enjoy…it has been quite a ride but I must admit - building memories with your son or daughter is a great benefit to the whole process.</p>