Why Write College Essays Over The Summer
July 6, 2023
Writing college essays over the summer offers advantages for students. Here is why it can be beneficial:
- Time availability: During the summer break, students often have more free time compared to the academic year. This extra time can be utilized to work on college essays without the added stress of managing coursework, extracurricular activities, and other commitments.
- Focused attention: With fewer distractions during the summer, students can devote more focused attention to their college essays. They can spend quality time brainstorming ideas, conducting research, and crafting well-thought-out responses.
- Early preparation: Many colleges have essay prompts that remain relatively consistent from year to year. By starting early, students can familiarize themselves with common prompts and begin drafting their essays. This allows for multiple revisions and refinements over time, resulting in stronger final submissions.
- Reduced stress during senior year: Senior year can be demanding with college applications, standardized tests, coursework, and other responsibilities. By completing college essays over the summer, students can alleviate some of the stress they might experience during the fall semester. This enables them to focus on other aspects of the application process and maintain a more balanced schedule.
- Seek guidance and feedback: Working on essays over the summer provides an opportunity to seek guidance from teachers, counselors, or mentors who may have limited availability during the academic year. Students can receive valuable feedback, suggestions, and revisions to improve their essays before the application season begins.
- Early submission options: Some colleges offer early application deadlines, such as Early Action or Early Decision. By completing essays over the summer, students can take advantage of these opportunities and submit their applications ahead of regular deadlines. This can potentially increase their chances of admission and provide earlier notifications.
The decision to write college essays over the summer should be based on personal readiness and the specific requirements and timelines of the colleges. Here are some additional thoughts on doing college prep over the summer: https://college-connections.com/10-ways-to-enjoy-summer-and-do-college-prep/