Seniors, Get Started on 2008 Application Essays

As the summer winds down I'm reminded of some good advice I've read for rising Seniors (if I remember where I'll update this with the links). "...use the summer to start writing your application essays". Obviously this saves having to do them in the midst of Fall AP Classes, football games, etc. It also helps minimize that stressful mad rush to get applications done in December.

Since it may still be unclear to which schools you're going to apply, a relatively safe way to start is to check out the one required essay for the Common Application. Over 340 colleges (here's the list) accept the Common App now, so it's pretty likely you'll be filling it out (online) soon.

If you're applying to a selective college it's possible that they will require 'supplemental' essays (and other materials). You'll need to check the admissions sites for each college to see their requirements. (If someone is familiar with a site that has collected this supplemental information for a number of colleges, please leave the link in comments). Here are Stanford's additional essay requirements (three 250 word essays), along with a reprint of this year's Common Application essay choices.