I’m an incoming junior and I’m seeing lots of people saying that they started their common app essay during Junior year. When in Junior year should I start? Is it worth starting even though I will have APs and ACTs?
No, I don’t think it’s necessary to start writing your CommonApp essay junior year. Firstly, I’m not sure when they release the CommonApp prompts for the next year (it could potentially change) and secondly, you might have some noteworthy experience during junior year that you would like to write about. Start the summer before senior year (the beginning of the summer) and you’ll be fine.
Start writing it the summer before senior year.
Also make sure you have done the following:
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/high-school-life/1905009-rising-seniors-what-to-do-this-summer-and-you-will-be-glad-you-did-come-fall.html#latest