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[quote=Anonymous]I did not hire any consultants.  I watched advice videos and DH did not.  I made DC watch the best part of the best video and made him read online advice articles.  And I had DC read a fiction book that had a college consultant and essay as key to the plot (though DC didn't finish it so wasted that effort).  DC also reads some of my magazines so I encouraged DC to reflect on how writers for those magazines create hooks and show their voice.

Going through the process as a parent, I realized that my child's writing is much less proficient than his public speaking.  It took him way too long to complete his essays.  DH and I did read them and explained our reactions to the material and the points made.  My husband and I disagreed over style (should DC "tell a story" or "get to the point").  My DC agreed with me because he had watched the advice videos.  DH got grumpy and opted out of further reviewing.

DH and I gave comments on punctuation (hyphens, dashes, commas) and capitalization.  Obviously, at times there can be differences of opinion.  So we left it to DC to decide.  We struck through lines that were redundant or weren't value added without offering any rewrites.  I think this is less than a consultant would do but don't know personally.

In the end, it was clearly DC's voice.  I could visualize how an adult would pull out the stops on similar subject matter to self-promote. It wasn't there.

The essays were low stakes for all schools except most desired school where I expect they would have some impact positive or negative.  DC hasn't written essays for his "Hey, why not, 5% chance Ivy".  He may not end up applying there because it's too much of a reach and is $200K more.  He never developed any amazing hook or insight that would make his essays extremely memorable.   But I think they reflect he is a good, solid, caring club member who is a contributor.

Looking back, what I would do different...

I will insist that DC2 creates essay drafts in August instead of October.

I had considered spending $300 for an asynchronous online college admissions essay writing class (not 1:1 consulting) targeted at home schoolers with course notes, videos, and evaluated assignments moderated by an English teacher.  I may do this next time, just to avoid kid procrastination getting on my nerves. I don't like the idea of using essay consultants but somehow just getting extra teaching and impartial commentary from a teacher type sounds to me like it could help my kid learn to write better while avoiding familial controversy over choice of topic, whether to tell a story, etc.  I have read that some high schools include college admissions essay writing as a unit in English class .  To my mind an external class would be similar.

If this came across as too rambling for your interest, then let me say that DC takes after me....and that is part of what he needed to overcome...[/quote]

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