When should you start writing college essays?

ashdraniasura · 05-10-2008, 03:54 PM

I know this is a cliche and pretty common questions, but oddly enough when i tried searching for "when should you start college essays", i didn't get anything relevant.

so if you could please answer my question or direct me to the correct forum where I can find the answer, i would be very grateful.

I am a junior in high school, planning on applying to around 15 to 20 schools next year, and i'll be done with ap's soon so i was wondering if i should start working on essays.

also, where could i find prompts? would i just take a common one and start writing?

fizix2 · 05-10-2008, 04:09 PM

>>where could i find prompts?

from the college's online application. go to the college's website for more information. also, a lot of colleges use the common app (www.commonapp.org).

>>when should you start writing college essays?

just look at the websites, have the topic in your head for a while, and when you get a good idea start writing!

tnb19 · 05-11-2008, 04:09 PM

15 to 20 colleges is craaazy!

ashdraniasura · 05-11-2008, 04:21 PM

^i'm very indecisive=)

ok, by WHEN, i mean like really specific...end of junior year? beginning of senior year? summer?

Ilovesoftball44 · 05-11-2008, 04:31 PM

I would say the summer before senior year is a good time to start writing them.

bartleby · 05-11-2008, 04:32 PM

Do it in the month before school starts, assuming you know what they are going to be. You'll be able to laugh at your friends who have to balance 7th semester with essays.

Optisrule · 05-11-2008, 05:07 PM

the earlier the better, i really wish i had started summer before senior year!

War Chant · 05-11-2008, 05:18 PM

There is no such thing as too early...

tlesc01 · 05-11-2008, 05:31 PM

Summer is optimal. If you're really eager, start planning an essay that you can use as the general "introduce yourself" personal statement: most colleges require this essay, so you can use and reuse it.

I started this past summer as soon as applications were available online and I was so glad I did. I was done in the fall and was able to send my apps in early and get them out of my hair while everyone else was freaking out. It was great and I suggest this method to anyone!

Modulation · 05-11-2008, 05:32 PM

I'd say summer before senior year. I think most apps come out in July... Maybe...?

fhg · 05-11-2008, 05:36 PM

I'm planning on starting as soon as apps come out and maybe even before with the ones that seem to be the same every year. Everyone seems to suggest avoiding having them to write on top of the senior year workload.

menuetto · 05-11-2008, 05:56 PM

Don't waste too much of your summer labouring over them. It's nice to have a sketch done before senior year but really, enjoy the sun!

brillar · 05-11-2008, 06:10 PM

Depending on your schedule next year, the earlier you do them, the better. They will ALWAYS be due during the most busy times of the year- seriously, all your work will just magically fall on the week that you need to get four essays done, and that is NOT fun.

tlesc01 · 05-11-2008, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Don't waste too much of your summer labouring over them. It's nice to have a sketch done before senior year but really, enjoy the sun!

This is important to note. There's really no reason that these essays should take hours on end to complete. They should come from you, and from what comes naturally to your writing. In order to have your voice dominant in your essay, don't pick it apart and make it someone else's or what you think the adcoms want to hear. Chances are, it isn't. They want to hear you and that should be what comes out when you write.

Battlecruiser · 05-11-2008, 07:05 PM

People say start in the summer because then you don't have to do it during September or October, while your doing school work and perhaps taking SATs. That was the advice I had gotten from a friend.
Unfortunately, procrastination got the better of me, and I did it during September while studying for Math IIC. Yeah, that sucked. Nonetheless, it came out well and I got into my ED school.

So it really depends on what type of person you are. If you are a procrastinator (Be honest with yourself. Only you will know this), then nothing we say is going to really help you. You might as well enjoy the summer and start it once school starts. The only advice I can give you in this case, is to just lock yourself in a room and write out a rough draft, and even if it sucks, that's fine. Spend about 30 minutes or so. I think the hardest part is getting started. After that, just put it away, and edit it once school starts.

If you are not a procrastinator, definitely start it during the summer, whenever it is possible. One of my friends did that, and he had no work related to apps during the fall, which meant he had a lot more free time during autumn and less stress.

Oh, and you probably will need to reduce the number of colleges you're applying to. I was very indecisive as well, and I had about 20-25 colleges I was looking at, but slowly I whetted away at the list, and ended up with about 10. I applied to one of those for ED, and I got in, so I only had to do 1 app in total. So I'd recommend you apply ED to your top school if you can, so you can save yourself a lot of work if you get lucky.