College Essay Writing Timeline – A Primer (For parents and curious teens!)
Parents of high school juniors and seniors often ask me about the college essay writing timeline and process. At first, the process is shrouded in institutional mystery, because the only part parents really know about is the end goal, or product. But how, and when, do we get there? And is there some kind of magic wand to expedite?
There can be a lot of pressure on this one precious piece of writing, and there are ultimately some non-negotiable deadlines and no magic wand. However, if you understand that there is a process, and the college essay writing process produces reliably good results you might exhale. In fact, I hope parents exhale a lot! (Here’s 2 minute guided breath from Dora Kamau)
I’m going to describe my recommended (optimal) timeline first, because it’s the first question I get (“When should a student start? How long should it take?). In a separate post, I’ll cover the college essay process, which can occur over a longer or more compressed time period.
Later posts will be devoted to the ANATOMY of a college essay.
If you’re already feeling overwhelmed about all things college, and prefer to talk directly to an expert and fellow parent, book your 30 min complimentary consultation HERE.
Timeline for college essay writing process
Spring Start
When asked about the college essay process after all their applications have been submitted, students are rarely stressed to have started early.
However, I think you can start too early. The college essay you write in Feb of junior year–even if you take a class or have guidance– is rarely going to be the one you send to schools. It’s the throat-clearing, orchestra-tuning round. And it has value as that.
That said, all writing teaches you about writing, which teaches you about your thinking, feeling, and self. No effort is wasted!
Between winter of Junior year and submissions season is a lot of months. You grow, you change- and you ought to.
My pro tip: get a good start on self-exploration in writing by May or June of your junior year. Especially if you feel that writing about yourself is the world’s most awkward, useless or braggy activity– try it! It can take a minute to find your voice and stride and zone of comfort.
By late spring, try out writing some personal essays of 650 word range in response to the Common App Prompts, or repurpose an essay you wrote for some other purpose. Trust me, it is fine if it sucks. Again, training your muscles, opening your mind.
Note: Don’t read too many essays written by other students (ESPECIALLY if those essays ‘got them in’ to their dream school). Doing so may overly influence what you decide to write about, and you CAN get stuck in an unproductive impulse. Your DNA is not the same as anyone else’s. Your perfect story or topic won’t be either.
Last Spring/Early Summer
Ask Lots of Good Purposeful Questions
In my coaching process, I meet with students for an initial intake session that is very much like (wait for it) a conversation with someone who finds you fascinating.
I take copious notes about them, what they say, and, importantly, the way they say it, in response to my guided questions.
Those notes (5 pages +) are returned to the student after our session to use to start their writing process and try on different topics and emphases.
If you’d like to know some of those questions, sign up HERE for a 30 min free consultation, or HERE to receive my kickstarter college essay freewriting “memory game.” You’ll be first on the list for the announcement of my PDF “Questions to Launch Your College Essay Process,” when it’s released!
However, anyone the students trust can interview them, and take notes, or even just record a conversation (though listening back to it might feel tedious to the student).
If no one is there to ask you questions, the student can ask if of themselves. It’s just that students are usually far more relaxed when talking in a coaxed environment than feeling like they are writing high-stakes on the spot, even if no one is looking.
Regardless of when students begin work with me, we start with this crucial generative step.
Summer Development
It’s great for all students to produce a draft they feel good about by August (beginning of the month is wonderful; end is key).
This draft may still need significant revision, but it is the core story they are going to tell. They know what message they want to send, and what values they want to highlight. They have time to make the craft sing, or strengthen the content generally.
The individual school supplemental essay questions are released around (or by) August 1. Having the main essay under your control means you can focus on giving those other essays your fuller attention, planning your supplements methodically, and generating compelling new content.
If you decide to apply early to any institution, you will be well positioned to do so.
Also-with late August or September comes…your high school senior year! Classes! Sports! Extra-currics! Some students simultaneously hold down jobs. That will monopolize your time that could otherwise be devoted to making the written portions of your application strong, so anticipate this mosh pit of obligations.
Fall Refinement
Early to mid fall is your reset, revise period. I advise every student after longer periods of focused essay development to take a break (but not too long).When you look at your college essay again, or read it to someone else, it’s with fresh eyes.
You’re not jaded by previous effort, and don’t remember every word or feel too attached. Yet your essay topic and direction should still feel like a powerful YES.
This is the opportunity to read it out loud and refine your craft. Keep refining until you feel it’s the best you can do, but you haven’t lost your mind over it. In the end, no school will accept you because you picked the perfect adjective to describe an experience.
In the fall you need to dedicate time to writing and editing a solid activities list, and completing any supplements with equal excellence to your personal statement.
Winter Waiting
Drink hot chocolate. Follow up if you get communications from your intended schools. Research financial aspects of going to college. Play a sport, read a book, see your friends, don’t let your grades tank!
Also- let’s be honest. Some students still have quite a lot of work to do into the winter. Some apps aren’t due until February! While I recommend getting as many done as possible in your fall batch, that could be unrealistic. Ultimately, you do you. And if you’re stuck in the winter with more writing left than you have solstice mojo for, you know where to find a coach. It can be a lonely drag, but you’ll get through. Keep your eye on your gold- valuable writing that reflects your essences.
HELP! This college essay timeline does NOT describe ME!
That’s OK. Start where you are, without self-recrimination.
State your goals, and write them down (somewhere visible is nice). Devise an expedited timeline to move through the stages and phases below.
Seek feedback BEFORE you get too deep in the process, so you can assess the viability of your topic and message, your intended direction.
Next, write copiously and without self criticism. Write on more than one topic if you’re not sure.
Get feedback AGAIN once the essay is in process. Revise at least once, if not multiple times, with the essay’s purpose in mind.
Then, proofread before submitting– OUT LOUD. Fix ALL findable errors of spelling, grammar and judgment.
Do NOT exceed word count, but also don’t…under-cede. You have such precious little real estate to speak! 650 could mean 640. It never means 660.
Recap on College Essay Timeline
- Start early, but not too early– lite conditioning in late Spring.
- Explore your writing voice and direction –into Summer’s bounty.
- Complete the bulk of the main common app essay –by the end of your summer vacation.
- Write multiple, strategic drafts- by the Fall (timeline depends on your deadlines)
- Start your supplements- by mid-summer OR the start of your school year.
- Complete your ED /EA at least 2 weeks before the deadline!
- Get feedback, proofread and submit!
- Rinse and repeat.
- Wait. And do your life in the fullest way you can.
Got the timeline for the college essay, but now what?
Some great options include:
- That Exhale Practice.
- Book a complimentary 30-min consult with me to talk about your kid, your needs & the college essay timeline and process.
- Book an applicant admissions essay intake session. Your student will be thrilled when to leave with copious notes sure to lead to at least ONE personal essay, if not many possible essays!
- Do something else altogether. Pet baby goats!
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