Once June rolls around, reality hits: you are about to experience your last summer as a high school student. Though I am sure you have many mixed feelings about this, there is probably something big on your mind—and that is the famous college essay, also known as the personal statement. Truth be told, the summer before you enter senior year is really the best time to write this essay. Here’s why:
Manageable schedule
Although you may be traveling, working, interning, or engaging in community service, you do not have to deal with the rigors of keeping up with your academic coursework/demanding extracurriculars. That being said, having the time to devote yourself to tackling the college essay really makes a difference in terms of producing a quality narrative and doing so with less stress.
Be Proactive about the College Application Process
As you may have heard from older siblings or friends who have recently gone through this process, it can be overwhelming at times. Therefore, by approaching the essay earlier on, you can have a clearer idea about how to angle your ‘overall package’ as an undergraduate applicant. Reason being, you do not want to have the same content across all essays—so, focus on developing a strong personal statement and then you’ll be able to approach the supplemental essays thereafter. In this way, you’ll diversify yourself!
Senior Year Intensifies
Once senior year begins, you’ll probably find yourself with additional ‘to-dos’ on your list. In between completing the college application itself, many students tend to take on additional activities/opportunities that can strengthen their overall candidacy. They also find themselves going on campus tours and they may even take the SATs again in the fall. So, as you can see, freeing up your mind just a bit by having your personal statement already set can do wonders!