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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Independent College Counselor here.

Just want to throw in a little warning to parents about over-editing your kids' essays.

I am fastidious about grammar and punctuation on essays so I would never call something "finished" if it had grammatical errors or typos. However, not only is it inappropriate for me to re-write essays, it would very much count against the students if I were to do that. Colleges (yes, even Ivies) are wary of too much polish, which could indicate AI or a different writer. Every time I read an essay, of course I think about what I might have said differently, but it is not my essay and not my voice. I might brainstorm with a student. I might give feedback in the form of questions or encouragement to reflect on what an experience meant to a student. I might suggest that the student include a specific example here or there. But I am careful not to insert myself into the essay. If the essays are great in the end, it is because the student really took the time to write and rewrite. I think parents may not realize, though, that sometimes the little style imperfections lend some authenticity.

For what it is worth, I don't think students *need* private college counselors. I think most parents hire one for the executive function support and to preserve their relationship with their student. Just don't mess it up for them!

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But wouldn't a good IEC tell a family if the essay is not at the level expected for a T20? I mean ime (two kids at T20), the essays took 4-6+ months of constant back and forth editing.

For DC2, we did hire an editor/essay counselor. That person worked for a month - going back and forth in Google Docs with the kids - comments, suggestions, rewrites - to get the essays (all of them, mind you, it's not just the personal essay) - to the standard needed for a T20. That kid had MUCH better results than DC1 without an essay editor. The kid's voice is still there.

Agree on over polish (also, what parents think is a good essay is not what actually is a good essay, but that's another story). But I think sometimes IEC don't go the extra mile on the essays and push kids to do more/do it better/go deeper.
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