As another poster stated, you can't really start on the common app essay until it is released this summer. (I am sure you could google prior year questions). Keep in mind, not all schools use the common app so if one of those schools are in your horizon, determine when their application is released and which schools have supplemental application questions. For example, Wake Forest releases their app in March/April and have 8-10 essay prompts. I think it's a good idea to sit down with your student, discuss which schools he/she is applying, determine their due dates and requirements (subject tests, recommendation letters, etc) and then look at what your high school needs in terms of a lead time. Each school is different and the more schools you apply to is an added stress.

Anonymous wrote:Thanks. One follow-up, if you used some type of college counselor (private, not a counselor from high school), when do you need to figure that out?

For our current senior, we did not go that route as he was very specific about his wants and needs. It also cut down on the number of school to which he applied. He is going into engineering and wanted a larger school in a rural area. So he applied to three that matched that criteria (1st choice, in state choice and safety) and one that was different. I had him apply to the fourth one in case he had a change of heart senior year and wanted to go to a school that didn't fit the above.

We also have a sophomore. We may need to enlist a professional for his search as his profile is more complicated and not well represented in the normal college search books (including 'Colleges that Change Lives'). However, I haven't found a counselor that has recent experience with his profile either. So, I will have to do more ground work and DC can point the way as we go.

The Common App questions were the same in 2014 as 2013, but I have no idea what that means for 2015. Just wait till the summer. I think they announced that the questions would be the same in July last year.

Mine didn't start the common app essay until the questions were released (Aug 1). The questions are very specific and there is no catch all question anymore. But really it didn't get polished/done until just before the EA deadline.

DC was actually pretty good at churning out essay after essay (writing is a strength). He started to actually enjoy them at the end.

My DC did one ED and 2 EAs but no rolling admissions. No school with rolling admissions was even slightly appealing to him and he had plenty of solid safeties with regular admissions cycles. He did get into an EA in December so that helped reduce the pressure from there on out.

Thanks. One follow-up, if you used some type of college counselor (private, not a counselor from high school), when do you need to figure that out?

Anonymous wrote:When should kids start working on their common app and the other essays? It it ever too soon to get the ball rolling. I can't imagine the essay part changes that much year to year. Or is there a point when kids magically become super motivated to do their best essay at the last minute?

Essay in summer, fine tuning in September.
Common AP in September

Apply to at t=least one rolling admission safety school early.
Apply EA/ED to first choice
Apply to others as needed

When should kids start working on their common app and the other essays? It it ever too soon to get the ball rolling. I can't imagine the essay part changes that much year to year. Or is there a point when kids magically become super motivated to do their best essay at the last minute?