Unusual or standard?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC has talked with a few different college essay coaches over the past week as their hope is to knock it out over the summer. Really liked one, so circled back. The coach indicated the hours were 9-5 (think Eastern time as coach is on East coast) weekdays only. DC is pretty much in school from 9-5 and will work at a camp this summer from 7:30ish to 6ish.

Totally get that someone doesn't want to always work nights/weekends, but their client population is often not available during weekday hours.

Have others had this experience with their kids?

Save your money, you do not need an essay coach for your kid. Only the T30+ colleges have detailed essays and if your kid is the kind to be successful once attending, they can write well enough on their own to get in. Any English teacher or parent can do a basic proofread. Or, grammar software can. The main factor in admission is the transcript: course rigor + grades. And what does it say to your kid when you hire an essay coach? That's a self esteem crisis now or once they get to college. Plenty of kids get into T30 all the way up to ivy with zero coaching. SMH.

Sorry I didn't provide more info. DC more STEM-ish with outstanding grades in most rigorous courses as well as top ACT score. Also very, very busy with classes, sports, ECs, etc. Asked for the essay coach. We discussed doing on own, etc, and they came back with still wanting to hire someone to work with on essay.

DC's self esteem seems pretty good. Of course they're a teen and there can be lapses in confidence, but generally not the case. I doubt they will be undone by this hire.

DC is at an independent where some kids have been working with an admissions consultant since the end of 8th grade. We elected not to go that route as DC doesn't really seem to need it. But they asked for this, we can afford it, so don't see the issue here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC has talked with a few different college essay coaches over the past week as their hope is to knock it out over the summer. Really liked one, so circled back. The coach indicated the hours were 9-5 (think Eastern time as coach is on East coast) weekdays only. DC is pretty much in school from 9-5 and will work at a camp this summer from 7:30ish to 6ish.

Totally get that someone doesn't want to always work nights/weekends, but their client population is often not available during weekday hours.

Have others had this experience with their kids?

Save your money, you do not need an essay coach for your kid. Only the T30+ colleges have detailed essays and if your kid is the kind to be successful once attending, they can write well enough on their own to get in. Any English teacher or parent can do a basic proofread. Or, grammar software can. The main factor in admission is the transcript: course rigor + grades. And what does it say to your kid when you hire an essay coach? That's a self esteem crisis now or once they get to college. Plenty of kids get into T30 all the way up to ivy with zero coaching. SMH.

This is totally within the bounds of what's normal. Essay help can and should be low-key. Good luck!

Sorry I didn't provide more info. DC more STEM-ish with outstanding grades in most rigorous courses as well as top ACT score. Also very, very busy with classes, sports, ECs, etc. Asked for the essay coach. We discussed doing on own, etc, and they came back with still wanting to hire someone to work with on essay.

DC's self esteem seems pretty good. Of course they're a teen and there can be lapses in confidence, but generally not the case. I doubt they will be undone by this hire.

DC is at an independent where some kids have been working with an admissions consultant since the end of 8th grade. We elected not to go that route as DC doesn't really seem to need it. But they asked for this, we can afford it, so don't see the issue here.

[Anonymous]

My son worked with a tutor who was based on a different time zone.

Other kid worked with a teacher who spent summers doing this as a side hustle. Her summer was for essay coaching. They got it done in a week and it was a week I was out of town for work, so it was priceless to come home to a finished essay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son worked with a tutor who was based on a different time zone.

Other kid worked with a teacher who spent summers doing this as a side hustle. Her summer was for essay coaching. They got it done in a week and it was a week I was out of town for work, so it was priceless to come home to a finished essay.

Oh, that sounds so good.

I think DC is going with one of the other folks. Look, I have a job where there are certain times of year I have to be available, even after "hours" as it's the nature of the work. Just seemed odd to work with a certain population yet have "office hours" that are largely inimical to their schedule.