We hired a consultant and also I bought the College Essay Guy's book (the more general admissions one, not the only-essay focused one). The consultant basically had DS do a brainstorming version of what was in the book, and they encouraged him to be way more touchy-feely than he ever would have been on his own. They also have provided feedback and editing.

If your kid is asking for help, I would give it. If you also feel a little loss as to what is expected, I recommend the book. You could also give the book to your kid, since I think that is probably the target audience.

https://www.amazon.com/College-Essay-Essentials-Step-Step/dp/149263512X

Super duper helpful and the best investment.

Kids who get into top schools do not write their own essays. Don't believe anyone who says differently.

It has to be the child’s work. You can underline what you think sounds bad or needs to be reworded, but don’t provide alternative wording.

As for the person that said the essays don’t matter - not sure which colleges your DC is applying to but the degree to which it matters really seems to depend on the school. At Chicago it seems to matter a lot. At UVA not so much.

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.

I like this honesty. I think this is probably true for at least 50% of the kids. About 50% of my friends admitted to writing their kids essays or hiring someone to. The other half either lie or seriously didn't, I am not sure which.

I had my kid do the first draft essay and then I edited it pretty heavily.

My kid won’t allow any edits to their first draft at all

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.

We paid DD’s regular tutor to do a couple essay sessions. They brainstormed, she read drafts and offered some feedback and very light editing (basically proofreading). No one would ever think anyone other than my DD wrote these essays - totally her ideas and her voice. Not perfect but got the job done.

I may end up hiring someone to help him, but hoping his English teacher this year will give them time to work on their essays. I would happily brainstorm with him for topic ideas and proofread for typos, etc. but nothing more.

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.

I like this honesty. I think this is probably true for at least 50% of the kids. About 50% of my friends admitted to writing their kids essays or hiring someone to. The other half either lie or seriously didn't, I am not sure which.

I had my kid do the first draft essay and then I edited it pretty heavily.

Find a teacher or librarian to help them with anything beyond brainstorming general ideas.

Help provide a framework. Let DC write the essay in his/ her voice. Have an English teacher review and help edit.

I think helping them brainstorm and providing light editing is well within reasonable boundaries.

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.

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.

So my DD comes to me and asks for help on her essay.

How much help did you provide your kids on this? What the ethics? Clearly it will be her original work but how much editing/suggestions/etc crosses the line?

Also are there good examples of essays somewhere that your kids have found useful? I want to point her to any open resources.