The college essay

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Depends on the kid. For one or two of mine, I basically wrote their essays. Whatever. They have very little impact on college admissions for most kids.

Maybe, but I'd bet it had a much greater impact on your kid's developing sense of independence and ethics.

Nah. They’re good. I appreciate your concern though.

[Anonymous]

I’d bet my bottom dollar that the large majority of the sanctimonious parents on this thread chiding those of us who had heavy hands in their kids’ essays are paying for private schools and SAT prep courses and doing everything else that their money can buy to better position their kids for college admissions. Essays, in contrast, are just a bs requirement that nobody really cares about unless you have a truly compelling personal story.

In my kids’ case, I didn’t “brainstorm” with my kids for ideas like many of you say you did. We all know that “brainstorm” means “plant the idea in my kid’s head on what to write, then claim it was their idea.” Basically my kids showed me their essays, and I was like “no, no, no” and edited the hell out of it. That’s what I mean when I said I “basically” wrote it. Whatever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’d bet my bottom dollar that the large majority of the sanctimonious parents on this thread chiding those of us who had heavy hands in their kids’ essays are paying for private schools and SAT prep courses and doing everything else that their money can buy to better position their kids for college admissions. Essays, in contrast, are just a bs requirement that nobody really cares about unless you have a truly compelling personal story.

In my kids’ case, I didn’t “brainstorm” with my kids for ideas like many of you say you did. We all know that “brainstorm” means “plant the idea in my kid’s head on what to write, then claim it was their idea.” Basically my kids showed me their essays, and I was like “no, no, no” and edited the hell out of it. That’s what I mean when I said I “basically” wrote it. Whatever.

You are I think pretty far off the mark. Private school does not help with college admission. In fact it can hurt unless you are at the top. You are nuts if you don’t prep for the sat. They read the essay and it can make it break depending on the school. Edit sure. Putting that essay together should take time. With lots of eyes on it like the English teacher. Nothing bs about this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’d bet my bottom dollar that the large majority of the sanctimonious parents on this thread chiding those of us who had heavy hands in their kids’ essays are paying for private schools and SAT prep courses and doing everything else that their money can buy to better position their kids for college admissions. Essays, in contrast, are just a bs requirement that nobody really cares about unless you have a truly compelling personal story.

In my kids’ case, I didn’t “brainstorm” with my kids for ideas like many of you say you did. We all know that “brainstorm” means “plant the idea in my kid’s head on what to write, then claim it was their idea.” Basically my kids showed me their essays, and I was like “no, no, no” and edited the hell out of it. That’s what I mean when I said I “basically” wrote it. Whatever.

Nope. Public school, Kahn Academy for SAT prep, wrote their own essays, and now attending an ivy. My kid is just that awesome.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d bet my bottom dollar that the large majority of the sanctimonious parents on this thread chiding those of us who had heavy hands in their kids’ essays are paying for private schools and SAT prep courses and doing everything else that their money can buy to better position their kids for college admissions. Essays, in contrast, are just a bs requirement that nobody really cares about unless you have a truly compelling personal story.

In my kids’ case, I didn’t “brainstorm” with my kids for ideas like many of you say you did. We all know that “brainstorm” means “plant the idea in my kid’s head on what to write, then claim it was their idea.” Basically my kids showed me their essays, and I was like “no, no, no” and edited the hell out of it. That’s what I mean when I said I “basically” wrote it. Whatever.

Nope. Public school, Kahn Academy for SAT prep, wrote their own essays, and now attending an ivy. My kid is just that awesome.

Well, good for you. My kids are just as awesome. Of that I can assure you. I just happened to have edited their essays.

Oh, and you’re not fooling anyone. If you were soooo hands off, you wouldn’t be on this thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Depends on the kid. For one or two of mine, I basically wrote their essays. Whatever. They have very little impact on college admissions for most kids.

Maybe, but I'd bet it had a much greater impact on your kid's developing sense of independence and ethics.

Nah. They’re good. I appreciate your concern though.

I guess we can add inauthentic to unethical. Do you not get that cheating on behalf of your kids hurts other people? So not cool.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it's completely fine to brainstorm some ideas and to read it and give feedback if they want to share. I used an essay consultant to do this and keep them on track with deadlines because they don't want my opinion turned out great, got into their top choice school.

Would you recommend your essay consultant? If so, pls provide contact info.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’d bet my bottom dollar that the large majority of the sanctimonious parents on this thread chiding those of us who had heavy hands in their kids’ essays are paying for private schools and SAT prep courses and doing everything else that their money can buy to better position their kids for college admissions. Essays, in contrast, are just a bs requirement that nobody really cares about unless you have a truly compelling personal story.

In my kids’ case, I didn’t “brainstorm” with my kids for ideas like many of you say you did. We all know that “brainstorm” means “plant the idea in my kid’s head on what to write, then claim it was their idea.” Basically my kids showed me their essays, and I was like “no, no, no” and edited the hell out of it. That’s what I mean when I said I “basically” wrote it. Whatever.

DP. Nope. Public school and kid self studied for SAT.

I don't mean "plant an idea" when I say "brainstorm." I am one who highlighted areas I thought she she fix. I did not fix or write anything. It sounds like you really rewrote your kid's essay which is unethical. My kid slaved away at that essay, and you just did it for yours. That stinks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Depends on the kid. For one or two of mine, I basically wrote their essays. Whatever. They have very little impact on college admissions for most kids.

Maybe, but I'd bet it had a much greater impact on your kid's developing sense of independence and ethics.

Nah. They’re good. I appreciate your concern though.

I guess we can add inauthentic to unethical. Do you not get that cheating on behalf of your kids hurts other people? So not cool.

Every poster on this thread is too involved and invested in their kid’s college applications. I’m just the only one being honest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d bet my bottom dollar that the large majority of the sanctimonious parents on this thread chiding those of us who had heavy hands in their kids’ essays are paying for private schools and SAT prep courses and doing everything else that their money can buy to better position their kids for college admissions. Essays, in contrast, are just a bs requirement that nobody really cares about unless you have a truly compelling personal story.

In my kids’ case, I didn’t “brainstorm” with my kids for ideas like many of you say you did. We all know that “brainstorm” means “plant the idea in my kid’s head on what to write, then claim it was their idea.” Basically my kids showed me their essays, and I was like “no, no, no” and edited the hell out of it. That’s what I mean when I said I “basically” wrote it. Whatever.

DP. Nope. Public school and kid self studied for SAT.

I don't mean "plant an idea" when I say "brainstorm." I am one who highlighted areas I thought she she fix. I did not fix or write anything. It sounds like you really rewrote your kid's essay which is unethical. My kid slaved away at that essay, and you just did it for yours. That stinks.

No, my kid wrote the essay and handed it to me. It was only at that point that I said “no, no, no” and edited it - pretty heavily I think. I had no input in the theme, topic, tone, personality, etc. If it were my essay for real it would’ve been a lot different, trust me.

You do things your way. I’ll do things my way.

[Anonymous]

Every poster on this thread is too involved and invested in their kid’s college applications. I’m just the only one being honest.

DP. Nope, you are wrong. Most of us didn’t “basically” write our kids’ essays. You are a cheater doing gymnastics to rationalize it, like cheaters do. Do you cheat on your spouse, too? No way your character defect is limited to college applications.

[Anonymous]

I always enjoy posters that get the vapors over a parent writing an essay and “harming other kids” while paying an essay “consultant” for their own kid. I love this place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d bet my bottom dollar that the large majority of the sanctimonious parents on this thread chiding those of us who had heavy hands in their kids’ essays are paying for private schools and SAT prep courses and doing everything else that their money can buy to better position their kids for college admissions. Essays, in contrast, are just a bs requirement that nobody really cares about unless you have a truly compelling personal story.

In my kids’ case, I didn’t “brainstorm” with my kids for ideas like many of you say you did. We all know that “brainstorm” means “plant the idea in my kid’s head on what to write, then claim it was their idea.” Basically my kids showed me their essays, and I was like “no, no, no” and edited the hell out of it. That’s what I mean when I said I “basically” wrote it. Whatever.

DP. Nope. Public school and kid self studied for SAT.

I don't mean "plant an idea" when I say "brainstorm." I am one who highlighted areas I thought she she fix. I did not fix or write anything. It sounds like you really rewrote your kid's essay which is unethical. My kid slaved away at that essay, and you just did it for yours. That stinks.

No, my kid wrote the essay and handed it to me. It was only at that point that I said “no, no, no” and edited it - pretty heavily I think. I had no input in the theme, topic, tone, personality, etc. If it were my essay for real it would’ve been a lot different, trust me.

You do things your way. I’ll do things my way.

I'm supposed to trust you after you just helped your kid cheat with their college essay?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d bet my bottom dollar that the large majority of the sanctimonious parents on this thread chiding those of us who had heavy hands in their kids’ essays are paying for private schools and SAT prep courses and doing everything else that their money can buy to better position their kids for college admissions. Essays, in contrast, are just a bs requirement that nobody really cares about unless you have a truly compelling personal story.

In my kids’ case, I didn’t “brainstorm” with my kids for ideas like many of you say you did. We all know that “brainstorm” means “plant the idea in my kid’s head on what to write, then claim it was their idea.” Basically my kids showed me their essays, and I was like “no, no, no” and edited the hell out of it. That’s what I mean when I said I “basically” wrote it. Whatever.

Nope. Public school, Kahn Academy for SAT prep, wrote their own essays, and now attending an ivy. My kid is just that awesome.

Well, good for you. My kids are just as awesome. Of that I can assure you. I just happened to have edited their essays.

Oh, and you’re not fooling anyone. If you were soooo hands off, you wouldn’t be on this thread.

I’m 80k a year invested! So funny to me how people work so hard to justify their own bad behavior by claiming that everyone else does it to. Not everyone cheats just because you do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’d bet my bottom dollar that the large majority of the sanctimonious parents on this thread chiding those of us who had heavy hands in their kids’ essays are paying for private schools and SAT prep courses and doing everything else that their money can buy to better position their kids for college admissions. Essays, in contrast, are just a bs requirement that nobody really cares about unless you have a truly compelling personal story.

In my kids’ case, I didn’t “brainstorm” with my kids for ideas like many of you say you did. We all know that “brainstorm” means “plant the idea in my kid’s head on what to write, then claim it was their idea.” Basically my kids showed me their essays, and I was like “no, no, no” and edited the hell out of it. That’s what I mean when I said I “basically” wrote it. Whatever.

Public school. Yes, paid for SAT prep.

Each one of us has a compelling personal story (you're telling yours here).
I think the essay is a good college entrance requirement since they'll be writing more of those when they get there.