Can't get DC to start college essay

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
You're joking, right?

Most kids will write their college essays at the last minute, because they work better under pressure.
Last minute can mean 2 weeks to 2 days before each deadline.
The quality of the polished essays will depend on objective criteria, most notably the writing skills your child has been honing for 10 years; and subjective criteria at the whim of the reader.

How does your DC work? If he's a last minute kind of kid, there's not point in making him start them now. If he wants to exercise his writing skills, great. But on other stuff.

Good grief, this was me. Really pissed my dad off.

[Anonymous]

We tried to get our sons to start their essays early. Oldest was entirely last minute, other son was a bit better but certainly didn't have them written before Labor Day. They both got into Top 10 universities. My advice to you is encourage and remind your child that starting early is best, but if they don't respond then step away for a bit. Senior year is LONG and you will burn yourself and your child out if you pile on the pressure too much now. You can revisit this in a month or so.