<p>My junior daughter will probably want to get started on her applications and essay writing this summer since senior year will be so busy and there are also many school sponsored summer activities for the rising senior class. School starts in mid-August here so it gets crazy earlier than if we lived in other areas of the country that don't start school until after Labor Day. Can anyone tell me when most colleges post their essay questions for students for the next year? As of now, she is interested in Vanderbilt,WashU,Emory,Duke,UNC,UVA,College of William and Mary,Wake Forest. Possibly Stanford and Dartmouth.
Do schools change their essay questions very much from year to year?
Thanks for you help</p>
<p>Only a few colleges change substantially from year to year (eg. UChicago). Many of the ones you listed use the common application which changes little if at all. So, download the CA and supplements to any schools you're interested in right now. If a school doesn't use the CA, go to their website and download it now before they take it off for the year. I can't remember exactly when they come out, but few if any will be available until the end of summer. </p>
<p>You're very smart to get a head start, even if she just begins to think about essay topics and formulate ideas in her head. Good luck, your list of colleges looks good in your quest for a 'free ride'!</p>
<p>Big, huge kudos to her for thinking ahead. I've previously heard rumors that kids like this exist....</p>
<p>My son got off to a relatively early start, writing some essays in September I believe. Although he got everything done and his essays turned out well, he wished he had started in August simply because of the time crunch. Senior year is incredibly busy.</p>
<p>Your daughter might wish to consider asking teachers about recommendation letters towards the end of her junior year. My son waited till September of senior year, and was the first kid to make a request. He was able to get the teachers who have taught him for several years, know him well personally, and have a proven track record of kids they have recommended getting into top schools. Eventually, those teachers announced they no longer could take on writing letters for more kids.</p>
<p>I think the Common Application always has one question that is "Topic of your choice", so it hardly matters what the questions are.</p>
<p>The thing to watch out for are the "Supplements to the Common Application" from some of the colleges. One place didn't republish their new questions until September, and it required the most work. Of course if the student gets most of the rest done in summer, there's still time to write a few special essays such as these. </p>
<p>My 3 found the biggest surprise was not the essays, but that the short-answers were never identical from application to application. One might ask it with twice the length, or ask for a comparison of two experiences rather than a description of one, and so on. So also make time to handle the short answers, so that these little paragraphs answer the asked question precisely. They can't just be cut-and-pasted from school to school. They are certainly easier to write than the essays, however.</p>
<p>It's ok to think about them, but I wouldn't obsess over the essays too early. Your D won't be the same person 6 months from now.</p>
<p>Most apps are available online in August. If your D wants to start working on essays, she could:
1. Just write an essay on any topic of her choice - she'll be able to use it for any college that accepts common app.
2. Keep a notebook, and write short entries on variety of topics that she can later use in her essays for ideas or short answers (this is MUCH more helpful than it might sound...)
3. If she knows which schools she wants to apply to, see if any of them require "Why us?" essay, and start writing notes with college-specific comments for those.
4 Read Harry Bauld's book on essay writing - it's funny, witty and helpful (and short).</p>
<p>I'll second that Harry Bauld book recommendation. Helpful, lots of tips for those seeking an early start and a very fun read.</p>
<p>My S tried to get an early start and wrote all his essays in August. Half of the schools subsequently changed the topics. I would suggest calling the admissions offices of the schools in July and asking them if they'll be posting new essays and when they think they'll do that. If the topics are not going to change, they'll be able to tell you that.</p>
<p>Wow,thanks for all of the great tips and points of view. Daughter has already asked her favorite teachers for recommendations and already did the required meeting with her college counselor. Now we just have to survive the road trip on spring break over to North Carolina and Virginia to visit 5 schools over an 8 day period!</p>
<p>Five schools in eight days - piece of cake. My son and I made the trip from NY to Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina and Pennsylvania to visit 7 schools in four days last summer. What a nightmare..... Your idea is definately much better. You won't be dragging yourself into hotels at 2 AM.</p>
<p>great screenname; many will relate!</p>