How much of college apps can be done over summer?

[Anonymous]

My son is planning a pretty rigorous senior schedule. I am wondering how much of his college applications he can complete over the summer so that the fall is not too crazy. Are all of the essay questions available during the summer, and is the common app available? We should have all but a couple of our visits done before school starts. He will probably want to retake either the ACT or SAT in the fall as well. Such a busy time! Thanks for any info.

[Anonymous]

It really depends on the type of school he's applying to. You can look now at the common app essays (those will likely stay the same). Lots of college apps stay the same too year-to-year. The common app and lots of big state type school apps go "live" early August. I'd say definitely work on at least 2 different/distinct essays (500 words and 250 words). Lots of app essays came be derived from these two core essays. Also, ask around enough to secure 2-3 good letters of recommendation.

[Anonymous]

OP,

What PP said. The supplemental essays are the most time consuming element, after visits and deciding on schools to which he'll apply.

I'd confirm common app essays staying the same. Not sure of that.

[Anonymous]

I think the common app essay comes out the beginning of August, or maybe July. Thats the most important thing to get out of the way.

[Anonymous]

Actually, that's not the most important thing. The supplemental essays are critical, too. They are often longer, and many schools ask students to write two.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Actually, that's not the most important thing. The supplemental essays are critical, too. They are often longer, and many schools ask students to write two.

Right. But those are not the easiest/best things to do in the summer (and before college apps are available). IME.

[Anonymous]

DD didn't write her Common App essay until the fall. She changed a lot between the summer and the fall so if she had written it earlier she would have had to do it again. That was the first essay she knocked out though.

[Anonymous]

Last year the Common App was available August 1.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It really depends on the type of school he's applying to. You can look now at the common app essays (those will likely stay the same). Lots of college apps stay the same too year-to-year. The common app and lots of big state type school apps go "live" early August. I'd say definitely work on at least 2 different/distinct essays (500 words and 250 words). Lots of app essays came be derived from these two core essays. Also, ask around enough to secure 2-3 good letters of recommendation.

NP here. How do the letters of recommendation work? Do the teachers write one letter for each specific college or one that is used for all on the common app? Are the letters online or hand written? How much time do teachers need?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Last year the Common App was available August 1.

The questions will be the same. So a student could start them today.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It really depends on the type of school he's applying to. You can look now at the common app essays (those will likely stay the same). Lots of college apps stay the same too year-to-year. The common app and lots of big state type school apps go "live" early August. I'd say definitely work on at least 2 different/distinct essays (500 words and 250 words). Lots of app essays came be derived from these two core essays. Also, ask around enough to secure 2-3 good letters of recommendation.

NP here. How do the letters of recommendation work? Do the teachers write one letter for each specific college or one that is used for all on the common app? Are the letters online or hand written? How much time do teachers need?

You might start a new thread on this. It varies by school. Counselor letters (at least at the privates) are much more important.