Timing is everything

One of the biggest stressors of the college application process is timing — when to start, when to submit and how to manage all the associated tasks, including the college essay.

Here’s the ideal: You start your essay in early summer and aim to finish by the end of July. Why? Because August 1 is when the Common App opens and schools release their supplemental essays. Everyone forgets about those, but each school can have several (or none), and depending on the volume of schools you apply to, the tasks can become exponential.

Waiting to work on your essay makes it another to-do in a sea of to-dos. A better plan is to spend the time required to create a polished statement you can be proud of and to check it off the list before the mountain of other tasks arrives in August. You also must consider rolling admissions, early action/decision, and other deadlines that can push winter deadlines to fall. At some schools, there is a decided advantage to getting your application in early.

Another question is how much time to budget for the essay. A winning essay takes time, no matter how gifted your writing. You want to allow for introspection, perhaps a few different approaches, multiple rounds of editing, feedback from a trusted advisor or loved one, and a final review. If you rush the process, the essay will show it. Give yourself space along the way to think and gain renewed perspective. Such personal writing takes time, plain and simple.

What happens if you wait until the fall? It’s certainly doable, but the added stress of school and extracurriculars will mount. Some people thrive under pressure and can even write better under duress. Others will crumble and writer’s block will ensue. So, know thyself. What conditions will lead to your best work and ensure you shine?