Junior here, just trying to plan out my summer before senior year gets wild. When do the essay prompts for college applications usually come out? Should I be anticipating this during summer break or do they release earlier? Want to make sure I’m ready to hit the ground running.
Hey there! Planning ahead is a smart move, and you're definitely on the right track! Most college essay prompts, especially for schools using the Common Application or Universal College Application, are released by the end of summer. The Common App, in particular, usually releases its essay prompts in January of the upcoming application cycle, well before your summer break, so you can start brainstorming and drafting early if you like. However, individual colleges may release supplemental essay prompts at varying times. It's common for them to be available by August. A good strategy is to check the admission websites of the colleges you're interested in throughout the spring and summer for the latest information. Meanwhile, you can always start reflecting on personal experiences and traits you may want to highlight in your essays. Happy writing!
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.