Starting Essays

I want to start my essays in the summer, much like many of us, but I also want to try and finish most of my essays during the summer. My school usually starts around August 20th-25th but it seems like the essay prompts are not released till August. What can I do to get ahead on essays without the prompts? Or when does commonapp update the prompts? Please let me know. Thanks!

commonapp

🎉 First post

Let’s welcome @ToryRoberts to the community! Remember to be kind, helpful, and supportive in your responses.

Earn karma by helping others:

1 karma for each ⬆️ upvote on your answer, and 20 karma if your answer is marked accepted.

1 answer

@cp839

74 answers, 122 votes

• 5 years ago

Common App has already confirmed that last year's prompts are going to be used again this year. https://www.commonapp.org/blog/common-app-2020-2021-essay-prompts

[🎤 AUTHOR]@ToryRoberts5 years ago

Yes I am aware of thar but I am referring to the college specific essays as well. Sorry I should have been more clear.

@cp8395 years ago

It really depends on the school. Most schools have a "why blank?" essay so if the school had one last year they'll probably have it again. The same thing goes for "diversity" essays. You can write those in confidence that they'll be useful. As for the others you can write towards last years prompts for practice and hope that they'll use the prompts again but don't bet on it. I think if you can get the common app essay done and the why essays for your schools finished, you'll be fine.

What are your chances of acceptance?

Calculate for all schools

Your chance of acceptance

Duke University

UCLA

+ 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)

Add more factors ›

Community Guidelines

To keep this community safe and supportive:

Be kind and respectful!
Keep posts relevant to college admissions and high school.
Don’t ask “chance-me” questions. Use CollegeVine’s chancing instead!