In the midst of the hot summer days, upcoming senior students are trading in their bathing suits for their laptops. Officially, the Common App, a college application used by students, is made available on August 1, 2018. However, many students are getting a head start on the required college essays.

Senior Tiyo Kebede has already finished all of her required essays. Now Kebede knows that she can start the school year with a clear mindset.

“Now that I have finished all the essays, I don’t have to worry about anything except the recommendations,” Kebede said.

Instead of lounging around in bed all summer, it will be wise to start early on college applications. Good luck to all seniors and happy writing!

The options this year are:

1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
4. Describe a problem you’ve solved or a problem you’d like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma-anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.
5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?