How Early Is Too Early to Start Writing The College Admissions Essay?

I am often asked how early I would suggest students dig into the college admissions essay, specifically the 650-word personal statement assigned by the Common Application. The simple answer is that is never too early to begin compiling a shortlist of meaningful life events and narrowing down which of those stories might make for an insightful and compelling read for admissions. That said, there are a few things students should think about before throwing themselves full force into the essay writing process:

It might be too early to start your college admissions essay if…

1. The official Common Applications essay questions have not yet been released. Fortunately for students hoping to apply during the 2014-2015 admissions cycle, the Common Application was already kind enough to release their official questions, which, thankfully, remain the same as the prompts from last year’s fully overhauled application.
2. You think an upcoming work, travel or other experience might yield a good essay topic. Most of my students already have a set agenda for the summer, and many of those plans have the potential to inspire exploration, unearth new friendships and show students a perspective on the world they have not yet encountered. Students need to give themselves the opportunity to live these adventures before they settle on a final essay topic. They can begin to brainstorm and freewrite on other topics before these activities begin if they feel so compelled. But they shouldn't put in the hard work and ample time it takes to craft a stellar essay without leaving room to consider their last few potentially meaningful experiences as a high schooler.
3. You are loaded down with regular schoolwork. Getting a head start on any assignment is ideal, especially when it comes to something as influential as the college admissions essay. Still, students should not let their desire to get ahead negatively impact their current studies. While the essay can have an enormous impact on admission, so do grades; which is why students can't sacrifice concentration on classes for small steps forward in the admissions process. I promise, the summer will provide ample time for the exploration of the admissions essay.

All of that said, I am the last person to try and push students away from getting an early start on the admissions essay; and there is a lot future college applicants can do to prepare themselves for the essay writing challenges/process ahead.

It’s never too early to…

1. Brainstorm. The only thing harder than coming up with a winning college essay idea is trying to force yourself to come up with that idea on demand, and within a limited time period. Why shouldn't students give themselves a head start and an opportunity to let the ideas flow while the pressure is off? All they have to do is flip the switch that awakens their awareness to potential ideas. They may come across possible essay topics while working on their everyday school assignments. Something the family discusses at the dinner table might set off a light bulb. Remind students to take notice of these ideas and write them all down. It will make the intentional brainstorming process so much easier when they're ready to begin. A page full of ideas, even half-baked ones, can easily inspire a whole new round of more thoughtful and viable topics to consider.
2. Map out a schedule and plan of attack. While students might not be able to start writing before the summer comes, they can certainly figure out when their time will free up. Every student should schedule a hard date to sit down at his or her computer and get started. Students should come to terms with the fact they are going to get as early a start as possible on the admissions essay. They should know it. They should accept it. They should feel the realness of it. And then they should forget about it until the scheduled date arrives.
3. Hire a consultant. The best essay consultants are always in high demand, and many advisors’ schedules fill up long before a student’s junior year comes to a close. While students might not want to begin work on their essays until the summer arrives, it is never too early to lock down a coveted spot with an expert advisor who can help them set viable schedules, brainstorm fascinating topics and beat away writers’ block.