If you have a high school student, you’ve probably heard that the college admissions process starts early. One of the first steps they’ll need to take is writing their personal statement or Common App essay.

However, few things are more overwhelming to students than trying to write a personal essay in the middle of senior-year coursework, activities, and looming deadlines. That’s why we encourage families to use summer to get ahead—and give their rising seniors the time and space to develop strong, standout college essays.

Here are five reasons that you might want to consider using this summer to help your college-bound senior start their essay: 

1. Less Stress, More Focus

During the school year, students are juggling more than college application stress. They may also have AP courses, extracurriculars, leadership commitments, and test prep on their plates. Summer offers a rare window of time without daily academic pressure, making it the perfect environment for reflection and creative thinking. Writing a college essay isn’t just about hitting a word count. It takes time to discover and shape a meaningful topic into a compelling narrative. Summer gives your student room to breathe and write at a comfortable pace.

2. Reflection Takes Time (And Practice)

The most effective college essays aren’t resumes in paragraph form—they’re personal, reflective stories that reveal who your student is beyond the grades and scores. That kind of writing requires an introspective mindset shift. By starting in the summer, your student can journal, brainstorm, explore their ideas, and get comfortable expressing themselves with authenticity and clarity.

3. Feedback Becomes More Meaningful

When no looming deadline is approaching, students are more open to feedback. That’s when coaching and revision can turn initial drafts into stellar essay submissions. Whether they’re working with a Best in Class instructor in a College Preparation Program or with a trusted mentor, summer allows your student to receive guidance, apply edits, and actually gain valuable experience from the process.

4. Confidence That Carries into Fall

Completing a college essay (or even just a strong draft) before senior year begins can drastically reduce your student’s stress. With a significant part of their application underway or done, they can walk into fall with momentum to drive senior year success. By taking the summer for this important early preparation step, they’ll have more time for supplemental essays, test prep, or friends during their final year of high school.

5. It’s About More Than College

At Best in Class, we believe that excellent written expression is a lifelong skill. Learning how to share your story, reflect on your growth, and communicate purposefully isn’t just valuable for admissions—it’s essential for college, career, and beyond. Starting early will give you the opportunity to develop these key skills to better prepare you for senior year.

Get your student’s personal statement on the right track with Best in Class

We understand that working with your own child can be stressful or that it might be hard to find the time to carve out of your schedule to dedicate to college essay development. Best in Class centers partner with parents to help students achieve the right start on the next chapter of their educational journey. 

Our instructors specialize in guiding students through the college essay process, from topic development to final edits. Whether your student has no idea where to begin or just needs structure and support, we’re here to help them craft a powerful personal statement that reflects who they are and where they’re going.

Contact your local Best in Class Education Center today to learn more about our college preparation program and how it may benefit your student’s higher education goals.