<p>With summer starting and having just completed my ACT, I'm beginning to think about when I should start my college essays. Some people have recommended <em>definitely</em> starting during summer, is that too early? </p>
<p>I'm planning on applying to most of the UCs, Stanford (Early Admission), MIT, and possibly Cal Tech. Thanks!</p>
<p>I heard that we can start Common App essays now and brainstorming supplement essays as well…but supplements aren’t released until August or something.</p>
<p>I’m probably going to start around late July/early August, and hope to have my common app essay done before I go back to school (mid-september). I’m probably going to write more than one essay as well, and go from there.</p>
<p>I’m in the same situation and I’ve just started writing. I came up with my idea a few months ago and I just started actually getting ideas down. I figured it would be good to revise multiple times so I figured start writing now, it gives you more time to fix and revise. Since the common app will be released relatively soon I don’t think it’s too early</p>
<p>Starting over the summer is definitely not too early. If you’re serious about the college essay, getting a head start on brainstorming and drafting can really help. For some people (like me), it takes a ton of time and many, many failed drafts to finally “discover” the topic and writing style that click. And even then, there probably is a LOT of editing.</p>
<p>Throughout these next few months you’ll be digging deep inside your soul for interesting ways to sell yourself to colleges, and you might “grow out” of some of your ideas or even revisit others in late December when you’re scrambling towards the deadline. Out of probably the 20+ different topics I came up with between August and December, in the end, I chose to rewrite my very first one. So good luck and happy writing!</p>
<p>^Agreed about everything. It’s definitely not too early to start brainstorming, especially if you’re doing early action.</p>
<p>I know exactly what you mean. I have my first college interview/visit this week, so I’ve already written 2 essays this week… hahaha. I keep coming up with rather funny ideas. The way I see it, it’ll just give me a good amount of time to rewrite.</p>
<p>Just start now. The essays are 500 words, so it really shouldn’t take more than an hour or two to make a DRAFT. Try to half at least 4 or 5 different drafts… really, write on anything that tickles your fancy.</p>
<p>Write these based on the Common App prompt, which is the same from last year. You can then choose one and edit it to be final. Also, the others can often be recycled into supplement essays. Or scholarship essays. Or just interesting bits of writing.</p>
<p>Nooo summer is perfect. With nothing in the way, you can focus on your essay and give it the attention that it deserves. Plus, for some, the essay is the hardest part of all. To be started all the way now would give you a head start so you wouldn’t end up scramming last minute to get the essays and your applications in order.</p>