What are your chances of acceptance?
Your chance of acceptance
Duke University
Loading…
UCLA
Loading…
+ add school
Your chancing factors
Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
200
800

Extracurriculars

Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)

How long does it typically take to write a solid college essay?

I'm starting to work on my college essay, but I'm feeling a bit stressed about how long it might take to write something really good. For those of you who have already written your essays, how long did it take you? Did you spend weeks or just a few days on it? I want to make sure I give myself enough time to do it right. Thanks!

11 months ago

Hello! It's important to remember that the time it takes to write a strong college essay can vary depending on the individual. Some students may need only a few days to come up with a solid draft, while others may require a couple of weeks or more to carefully brainstorm, outline, revise, and polish their work.

My child mentioned that they spent about two weeks from start to finish on their essay. They began by brainstorming topics and jotting down ideas, then moved on to creating a rough outline. After writing an initial draft, they spent a few days revising it, taking breaks in between to read it aloud or have someone else review it for feedback.

It's essential to give yourself enough time to develop your thoughts, write multiple drafts, and seek out advice from others, be it teachers, family members, or friends. Starting early and allowing for proper revision time can make all the difference. In the end, it's all about finding your own pace and ensuring that the final product best represents you as a candidate for the colleges you're applying to. Good luck with your essay writing journey!

11 months ago

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.