Making an essay sound like a teenager wrote it.

[Anonymous]

My DD is a strong writer with a classical education. She’s planning to major in English or History. Her writing is very mature and has a formal tone, and she prides her self on her large vocabulary. How can she give her application essay more of a teenager feel, so she isn’t accused of being her mother? Are their tools that measure the “age” of writing?

[Anonymous]

Do not worry about this or have guidance counselor or English teacher recommendation comment on her writing.

[Anonymous]

I worry about this too! DS is a great writer. Would be ironic if he got dinged for having essays that are too good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD is a strong writer with a classical education. She’s planning to major in English or History. Her writing is very mature and has a formal tone, and she prides her self on her large vocabulary. How can she give her application essay more of a teenager feel, so she isn’t accused of being her mother? Are their tools that measure the “age” of writing?

As a parent of another mature writer, I don't think your DD should change her style. One of her teacher recommendations should be from an English teacher who will, undoubtedly, speak to her writing prowess.

[Anonymous]

She could try the Hemingway Editor, which will indicate grade level readability. Might just help flag overly complicated sentences. Fancy vocabulary doesn’t always sound smarter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She could try the Hemingway Editor, which will indicate grade level readability. Might just help flag overly complicated sentences. Fancy vocabulary doesn’t always sound smarter.

This is true.

[Anonymous]

I worked in Deans office for T20. I saw all the essays in the application files. You’d be surprised how well an 18 year can write! Whatever she writes leave it as it is!

[Anonymous]

Just write as she would ordinarily write.

A strong writer will have a similar tone throughout the application.

The kids who have their parents (or a coach) do the work are the ones who have overly polished essays combined with rough descriptions of activities, poor grades, weak SAT verbals, etc.

There is a whole range of writing voices, and the kid's natural voice is the best way to go.

[Anonymous]

Stop making up things to worry about.

[Anonymous]

Agree with all of the above! Leave her writing as is and be sure to get a recommendation letter from her favorite English teacher.

[Anonymous]

If she's a good writer, she should send in well-written essays.

I tell my high schooler, who's not a particularly good writer, that his long and complex sentences often sound like a high-schooler wrote them. That is, they need to be shorter and clearer, and not as florid. I'm sure your child writes better, but her use of a large vocabulary might even sound like a good but young writer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Stop making up things to worry about.

Exactly. My kid is so smart. Should I tell him to miss some questions on the SAT so people don't think he cheated?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Stop making up things to worry about.

The only appropriate response to this question.

[Anonymous]

I’m worried about this too.

Had an Essay Coach look at her essays and the comments were so minimal and filled with “you are such an amazing writer” “this is absolutely delightful” “so beautifully worded”.

I’m worried it sounds too good. She’s been working on them for months though.

[Anonymous]

Good lord do you really think your kids are the only good writers out there? Lots and lots and lots of kids are strong writers. Does kid have 5 on Eng Lang AP? In 700s for verbal SAT score? Good Rec from English teacher? Then they’ll know your DC, just like 1000s of others, is a strong writer. Be grateful and move along.