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[quote=Anonymous][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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I agree an IEC should inform parents to if essay is lacking. What I find they do is say that the essay accurately represented the kid. We used someone well-known and I had to help my kid after early results. So much money wasted as far as college admissions went. But it did save our relationship which is why we signed up. Very stressful time for us. [/quote]

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