<p>I'm currently a junior so the question isn't urgent, but I was wondering when people started filling out the common app? I heard it was time consuming and best to start as early as possible. I would start filling it out little by little before senior year, but don't they erase all accounts every year? is there any way to start filling out common app before july before senior year?</p>
<p>I filled out all my non-essays stuff when it first came out and started on my supplements in August. I still have 6 essays to write for supplements, haha. Don't put it off.</p>
<p>You can go on the site and download all the forms... although I think you'd need an account to get the supplements (and beware that schools change their supplements from year to year.)</p>
<p>If you really want to get on it before July, work on the essay (you can easily get the topics without having to create an account). The rest of the common app portion is fairly quick and easy to fill out. Wait on the supplements until they come out for your year, unless you're just doing "Why ___" essays (and you're sure the school has one of those essays).</p>
<p>Definitely print out current applications for the CA and any other schools you might be interested in, particularly the essay sections. Most change relatively little from year to year. Of course UChicago is an exception, and I think Amherst, likely a few others; you can usually tell by whether their questions are based on specific situations or quotes vs. more general topics.</p>
<p>Thinking about the topics and jotting down ideas will help you to get a quick start on writing the essays next late summer/fall.</p>
<p>You can also ask for teacher recs at the end of this year and beat the fall rush.</p>