FRESHMAN, SOPHOMORE, JUNIOR AND PARENTS TIMELINE FOR COLLECTING PERSONAL STORIES
Any time you (or your parent) remember a story or anecdote is a good time to write it down. The earlier you start, the more stories from which you will have to choose.

The ideal time to have family brainstorming sessions for essay topics or content is junior year and the summer before a student’s senior year.

SENIOR TIMELINE FOR COLLECTING PERSONAL STORIES
By this time you will have some of the essay questions you will need to answer. If you haven’t done it before, begin brainstorming ideas for the questions on your own and with family members. Dinnertimes are a perfect time to do this.

Remember, it is never too late to generate personal stories and anecdotes. You can even do it a few minutes before you begin writing a college essay.