<p>How does it work for Harvard - Do you have a general Common App one and then a few more specific ones for Harvard? How many are you supposed to do? I'm confused...</p>
<p>I'll probably have to start writing it sometime in the near future, and was wondering are there any guidelines at all? Do you literally just write whatever you feel like or is there some kind of vague structure you're supposed to apply (eg try and include things about your ECs, your qualities)?</p>
<p>For Harvard, all you need to do is the one common app one. You can write an optional supplementary essay if you want, though. I didn't write any extra ones.</p>
<p>Basically write about anything you want to, anything that interests you, etc. You don't NEED to write about your ECs or qualities. Try picking up Harry Bauld's "On Writing the College Application Essay." It is the best essay book out there.</p>
<p>Why would you write it now? Applications are due October 31st aren't they? That's over six months away...</p>
<p>I'm not writing it now, hence "sometime in the near future". When I get back to school (about two/three days from now) university stuff begins. I know they make us write a rough draft of our British personal statements by the end of the term, so I don't see why they won't ask me to start thinking about my personal essay. And yes, even though you seem like one of those people that don't care about the process but somehow sail into top universities anyway, I do care, and I won't be sailing into any top universities if I don't put in some effort.</p>
<p>Has it occurred to you I 'sailed' into the top universities because I know how to apply my effort efficiently? Writing a good personal statements/essays is often all about coherence and clarity. If you write it now, you'll only end up reviewing it every couple of weeks, which will not only waste a huge amount of time but undermine the coherence and clarity of your ideas through a death by a thousand cuts.</p>
<p>If you want to think about ideas that's one thing, but writing it is best left till September/October for a week or two of focussed effort.</p>
<p>Also, for personal statements, how can you be ready now, when you haven't even done AS's or any summer reading? That's material that's guaranteed to have to be inserted into your personal statement, which means writing it now is useless.</p>
<p>and by the way, because I wasn't wasting my time writing personal statements and essays I'd've to change anyway, I was able to work hard for my exams and get good marks which helped me when applying properly. You have AS's, worry about them now and personal statements once they're done.</p>
<p>Division of labour, simple economic concept. Applies even more pertinantly here.</p>
<p>You're rather an aggressive character aren't you?</p>
<p>I'm not sure how to make it any clearer, but I'll say it again - I'm not writing my personal essay now. If you still don't understand, do let me know. However, I would like an idea of what it's all about (as the US universities advisor at my school is rather useless), and don't see any harm in starting to think about it over this coming term.</p>
<p>As for the British PS, I agree, but my school makes us write a draft by the end of the summer term.</p>
<p>It took you an entire term to revise for AS's? What a waste of time.</p>
<p>As for your economic analysis of the situation - division of labour generally applies when there is actual, significant labour involved. Revising for four exams is hardly worth more than a week or so of this coming term, and so I have plenty of time to devote my academic attention to other matters while I'm at school.</p>
<p>omg Ace how come you drive people crazy every time they take the time to answer your questions? </p>
<p>"And yes, even though you seem like one of those people that don't care about the process but somehow sail into top universities anyway, I do care, and I won't be sailing into any top universities if I don't put in some effort."</p>
<p>that was needlessly rude</p>
<p>
I believe this is the first time one of my questions has 'driven people crazy' but if you could direct me to a few more instances I would be most grateful.</p>
<p>I am however fairly certain that most of my posts drive you crazy :)</p>