<p>Besides the given essay questions that are listed in places such as the common app, I was wondering how do people get started on their essays? Are you writing based on a topic of your choice or is it a topic a specific college asks you to write about? I’d like to use the rest of my summer to get a head start on my essays, but I don’t know where or how to begin. Any tips or suggestions? I feel like I’m behind…</p>
<p>It depends. Essentially, there is one main essay that goes to every school on the Common App, which is generally (preferred to be, though there’s no official limit regarding words) 500 - 700 words. That’s on whatever topic you’d like, and should be something that is both interesting and insightful about you.</p>
<p>Many schools also have supplements, sometimes including essays that are limited to 500 words or less (in my experience; some also have super short responses that are limited to 500 characters or something of the sort). Unfortunately, until the Common App is open, you won’t be able to see these. A number of schools, though, don’t change their supplementary essays, so you can probably find those somewhere…</p>
<p>A slight correction to the above post ^^^. the main essay on the common application now has a limit of 250-500 words</p>
<p>Hmm. Wow. Thanks for the correction (oh, how times have changed since my day). I suppose that makes a lot of sense, though I’m glad I didn’t have to deal with that limit.</p>
<p>The purpose stands, at least. Oh, and for getting started, I’d suggest just picking something you’re passionate about, or some event that shows a bit of what you’re like, particularly something you didn’t otherwise get out on your app.</p>