When are supplemental essay prompts for colleges usually released?
I’m starting to look into applications for the schools I want to apply to, but I’m not sure when the supplemental essay prompts actually get released each year. Do most colleges post their new prompts in the summer, or is it around the time the Common App opens in August?
I want to start drafting as early as possible, especially since I’m looking at a few schools with pretty involved supplements (like UChicago and Stanford). I’m a rising senior and kind of worried about running out of time! Anyone know the typical timeline for when you can find out what extra essays you have to write?
I want to start drafting as early as possible, especially since I’m looking at a few schools with pretty involved supplements (like UChicago and Stanford). I’m a rising senior and kind of worried about running out of time! Anyone know the typical timeline for when you can find out what extra essays you have to write?
6 months ago
•
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Roger Lopez
• 6 months ago
Advisor
Most colleges release their supplemental essay prompts between late June and August, with many schools timing their updates to coincide with the Common Application launch, which is August 1. A good number of colleges, especially those with complex or unique essays like UChicago or Stanford, will start updating their website with the new prompts in mid-to-late summer. For some schools, the essay topics change very little (or not at all) from year to year, while others might unveil completely new prompts that can catch students off-guard if they start too early.
A practical approach is to check the admissions websites for your target schools starting in June and keep checking weekly through July. For instance, UChicago tends to release their famously creative prompts around June or early July. Stanford historically follows close to when the Common App updates, but sometimes their prompts leak slightly earlier via their admissions blog.
If you want to get a head start, you can look at last year’s prompts, since many colleges recycle at least one or two essay topics or keep the structure very similar. For example, last summer, Stanford’s "intellectual vitality" short answer, "roommate letter," and several other mini-essays remained basically identical to years before.
Bottom line: start actively checking in June, but expect a full, confirmed list by August 1 when the Common App opens. Drafting based on last year’s questions now, but being prepared to adjust if they change, is a solid strategy—especially for schools known for re-using prompts or only making minor tweaks. Good luck with your early prep!
A practical approach is to check the admissions websites for your target schools starting in June and keep checking weekly through July. For instance, UChicago tends to release their famously creative prompts around June or early July. Stanford historically follows close to when the Common App updates, but sometimes their prompts leak slightly earlier via their admissions blog.
If you want to get a head start, you can look at last year’s prompts, since many colleges recycle at least one or two essay topics or keep the structure very similar. For example, last summer, Stanford’s "intellectual vitality" short answer, "roommate letter," and several other mini-essays remained basically identical to years before.
Bottom line: start actively checking in June, but expect a full, confirmed list by August 1 when the Common App opens. Drafting based on last year’s questions now, but being prepared to adjust if they change, is a solid strategy—especially for schools known for re-using prompts or only making minor tweaks. Good luck with your early prep!
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Roger Lopez
Chicago, Illinois
Yale University BA, Political Science | Northwestern Kellogg School of Management, MBA Candidate |
Experience
4 years