17 Tips for Starting Your College Essay This Summer!

This blog was originally published on June 26, 2019 and has been updated and republished with new information for the current admissions cycle.

Internships, lemonade, vacations, barbeques, camping trips, movies, beaches, mountains, your college essay…

Oh wait... your college essay?!

Fret not. The summer before your senior year could not be a better time to start brainstorming the oh-so-paramount college essay. Why? Because with all that fun and freedom, you now have the s p a c e to dream. The strongest essays have your original voice and point of view, which tend to come out when you are happy, relaxed and curious, and not writing under pressure. So here are 17 ways to leverage the spacious field of dreams that is your summer before senior year to spark a golden college essay.

1. Start an essay notebook now.

Yes, now. Wherever you are, grab a fresh notebook and title it “College Essay Notebook.” Keep this near you all summer. You are not going to write your essay right now. You are going to collect sparks of inspiration, observations and questions that jump at you.

2. Pay close attention to your rituals and routines.

Morning or bedtime routines, recurring family dinners, self-care routines after a stressful day, the route to your summer job… these are experiences and journeys we know intimately and can describe in detail, even with joy. When you do, your voice comes out. Make a list of your routines and rituals in your notebook.

3. Look through scrapbooks, Instagram feeds, etc.

Revisiting the photos and keepsakes of the past few years can remind you of all the rich relationships and experiences you have in your life. Take some time to look through old photos with a mind toward people and stories that are especially intriguing to you. Make a list in your notebook.

4. Do something hard.

Clean up your local beach, read War and Peace, walk across your hometown, apologize to someone you offended, live without a phone for two weeks. Doing something hard helps you grow and that journey of learning makes golden material for that essay. What’s on your list of hard things to do?

5. Tell long jokes.

Essays shine when they have good storytelling – scene description, dialogue, plot. Long jokes shine for the same reasons. So when you’re sitting around that campfire or cooler, try telling an extra-long joke to sharpen your storytelling chops. Make a list of good ones in your notebook.

6. Do more of what you love.

Nothing gets colleges more interested than passion. Passion or enthusiasm is the result of doing what we most enjoy, so make a list of what you enjoy – time in nature, road trips with friends, writing plays, building stuff, talking with your aunt – please spend time this summer pursuing more of those things. What makes them important to you? Write it down.

7. Ask friends and family what's awesome about you.

The essay is a place to hip colleges to what qualities stand out about you (without bragging). But sometimes we simply don’t know because we’re too busy noticing other things or we simply haven’t been told that often. Ask the people around you to share a positive quality about you that jumps out. Make a list of their answers.

8. Spend time in a favorite place.

When students take readers into their favorite places on the page, the readers instantly connect. A certain tree, a room in your neighbor’s house, a wing in a museum, an intersection. Just like favorite activities, describing favorite places will bring out your original voice and enthusiasm. What are some of your favorite places? Spend more time there and write down specific details about it – the cracks in the walls, the smell in the air, the quality of the light. The more detail the better.

9. Spend time with your favorite objects.

Paintings, instruments, sports equipment, rocks, clothes… Yes, our love of inanimate objects can elicit the same joy and originality. Make a list of objects you enjoy and study them more closely. Write down what you notice and why they are significant to you. Again, nerd out. The more details the better.

10. Sit down and freewrite for 30 solid minutes about times you've grown.

Set a timer for 30 minutes and don't stop writing. Think about the last three years: when did a belief or assumption you held turn out to be wrong? What caused it to shift? What new perspective did you walk away with? The first 10 minutes may feel like mind-fluff — push through it. The real material lives underneath. This exercise works because perspective shift is the #1 element in a standout college essay. Admissions readers are not looking for what happened to you; they are looking for how it changed the way you see the world. Force yourself to name the actual belief that changed, not just the event.

11. Write a first draft -- for the fun of it -- at the end of July.

By the end of July, you should have a good list of juicy stuff to write about. Pick one topic, forget everything you know about “good essay writing” and have a good time (yes really) talking about it in two pages. Don’t worry about whether it’s the topic you’ll stick with or whether it sounds good. The goal is to play around and let your voice out.

12. Write a second first draft that is totally different.

A week later, do the same thing for a totally different topic from your notebook. Now you have two essay ideas, four pages of material, and a better sense of what you like writing about.

13. Don't wait.

I know I already said it, but waiting will increase the chances of writer's block and a snowball of stress. Get that notebook!

14. Don’t ask your parents for ideas.

Parents (and even some teachers) are not terribly aware of what the college admissions process is like and can have misinformed notions of what colleges are looking for. Stick with this list!

15. Don’t “write it to just get it over with.”

Your college essay is NOT another homework assignment to check off the list. This is your big opportunity to share your full self with the wider world and match with a school perfect for you. Take time with it.

16. Don’t seek fancy experiences (for your essay).

The service trip to Nicaragua, the internship at the prestigious institution, the big championship game… talking about such things will come off as gloating and that always fails (leave these items for the application section). Rather, what you care about, nerd out about, can talk 'til 2am about, that’s what will get their attention.

17. Get help.

After you’ve brainstormed, listed, done some fun drafts, get some help for the next steps. Your school college counselor could be a resource, or you may want to hire a tutor. Like I said, the college essay is a specific game and having the right support can be a game changer.

We offer personalized 1:1 college admissions support for everything from essay coaching and college lists to full application strategy and mentorship. Some families work with us every step of the way; others just want a game plan they can execute themselves. With 16 flexible service options, you can mix, match, and get exactly the support you need. Got questions? Reach out anytime, we’re here to help. Now, get that notebook!

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I start my college essay?

The summer before senior year is ideal. You have more time, less pressure, and the mental space to reflect, all of which lead to more authentic writing.

What makes a college essay stand out?

A genuine perspective shift. The best essays don't just describe an experience; they show how it changed the way you see yourself or the world. Specific details, your real voice, and a topic only you could write about also go a long way.

Should I write about sports or volunteering?

Usually not as your main angle. These topics are extremely common, and essays about big achievements tend to come across as résumé recaps. The exception: if there's a surprising, personal angle, a belief that changed, an unexpected relationship, a small moment that meant everything, that's worth exploring.

How long should a college essay be?

Most Common App essays are 500 to 650 words. Aim to use the full limit; it signals you took it seriously. But don't pad it. Every sentence should earn its place.

Can I start brainstorming before senior year?

Absolutely, and you should. The summer before senior year is the perfect time to brainstorm, freewrite, and experiment with topics before the pressure of senior year sets in. You don't need to write a final draft now; you just need to start collecting material.