How much time should I realistically set aside to write my college essay?
I'm about to start working on my main college essay and I'm honestly not sure how long this part of the application process usually takes. I tend to be a slow writer and sometimes get stuck brainstorming ideas, so I'm kind of worried.
If you've gone through it already, how many days or weeks did you spend on the essay, from the initial brainstorming sessions to the final draft? Was it a quick process for you, or did you end up rewriting it a bunch of times? I'm trying to figure out if I should start now, even though apps aren't due for months, or if that's overkill.
Any advice or personal experiences would be really helpful as I'm trying to plan out my summer!
If you've gone through it already, how many days or weeks did you spend on the essay, from the initial brainstorming sessions to the final draft? Was it a quick process for you, or did you end up rewriting it a bunch of times? I'm trying to figure out if I should start now, even though apps aren't due for months, or if that's overkill.
Any advice or personal experiences would be really helpful as I'm trying to plan out my summer!
7 months ago
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58 views
Anonymous
7 months ago
Great question—timing your college essay writing process is important, especially if you're someone who likes to think things through and doesn't want to feel rushed. Most students find that the entire process, from brainstorming to a polished final draft, takes about 4 to 6 weeks if you work on it consistently (think: an hour or two a few times a week). Some people write faster, but a lot of students go through several drafts before they're happy with their essay.
For example, you might start by spending a week just on brainstorming and freewriting. Don’t be afraid to write messy first drafts or explore a few different ideas—sometimes the most compelling topic doesn't emerge until you start writing. The next 2-3 weeks are often spent on drafting, getting feedback, and making structural changes (like rewriting intros, reworking endings, or combining sections). The last 1-2 weeks are usually for line edits, polishing language, and checking for grammar or spelling errors.
Personally, I began brainstorming for my essay in early July and didn’t finalize it until mid-August. I wrote at least three completely different versions before landing on the story that felt right, and then went through about five rounds of edits on that draft. Most of my friends had a similar timeline, and a few even started over midway through because their first topic didn’t feel personal enough.
Starting now is definitely NOT overkill! Giving yourself plenty of time means you can try out different ideas and step away for a few days if you feel stuck. It also lets you share drafts with teachers, counselors, or trusted friends for feedback. By spacing it out over the summer, you can avoid last-minute stress when school and other responsibilities kick in.
In short: aim to finish your first draft by the end of summer, and use the next few weeks to revise as you go. Starting early is one of the best things you can do for your peace of mind and the quality of your essay!
For example, you might start by spending a week just on brainstorming and freewriting. Don’t be afraid to write messy first drafts or explore a few different ideas—sometimes the most compelling topic doesn't emerge until you start writing. The next 2-3 weeks are often spent on drafting, getting feedback, and making structural changes (like rewriting intros, reworking endings, or combining sections). The last 1-2 weeks are usually for line edits, polishing language, and checking for grammar or spelling errors.
Personally, I began brainstorming for my essay in early July and didn’t finalize it until mid-August. I wrote at least three completely different versions before landing on the story that felt right, and then went through about five rounds of edits on that draft. Most of my friends had a similar timeline, and a few even started over midway through because their first topic didn’t feel personal enough.
Starting now is definitely NOT overkill! Giving yourself plenty of time means you can try out different ideas and step away for a few days if you feel stuck. It also lets you share drafts with teachers, counselors, or trusted friends for feedback. By spacing it out over the summer, you can avoid last-minute stress when school and other responsibilities kick in.
In short: aim to finish your first draft by the end of summer, and use the next few weeks to revise as you go. Starting early is one of the best things you can do for your peace of mind and the quality of your essay!
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