<p>I'm a rising senior and it seems that it's best to complete the essay(s) now during the summer, but many college applications don't open till Jan so how would I know what each college's question is? Is there just a general one? Also, if their is does anyone know how long it has to be...etc?</p>
<p>Thank you :)</p>
<p>The CA main essay prompts stay the same every year, and a preview of the application for this next cycle is currently available on the CA website.</p>
<p>Supplements often stay the same, it depends on the school. UChicago changes every year, as do others that ask for responses to quotes, etc. Short takes can change from year to year.</p>
<p>Take a look at the supplements from last year, they should give you a good idea of what to expect. And many will have the ‘Why College X?’ question, so you can prepare for those.</p>
<p>You can also prepare a resume now, and it will help you keep all your dates consistent and will make the application process easier.</p>
<p>Start your CA essay A.S.A.P. It should be the best piece of writing in your app, and therefore might take the most time.</p>
<p>Are you taking an AP Literature class senior year? Or English IV? My AP Lit teacher was extremely helpful with the essay process. He would often assign pieces of short written work in which we had to talk about ourselves. By the time I started applying to colleges, I had several finished essays I could have used for the common app. Then it was only a matter of revision. Everyone says “start early”, but I think it’ll be easier when you have your friends and teachers around to bounce ideas off of.</p>
<p>Thank you all. @entomom: what’s the CA website?
@unctarheels: I am taking AP Lit next year, thanks for your input.</p>
<p>I’d like to have at least a rough draft, but I wouldn’t like to do the “why do you want this college…” essay question.
I’ve heard that many colleges choose the “tell of a hardship that you overcomed in life…how’d it help you?” topic… Is that true? I think I could write something about that.</p>
<p>CA=common application.</p>
<p>The common app does have you expand on at least one extra curricular activity. The other essay usually gives you several choices and one of them is the topic of your choice. You could have an overcoming obstacles essay.</p>