I was just thinking about this for my junior.
He needs someone to be a sounding board for his essay ideas (and doesn't want mom or dad).

Ideally, I'd like someone to help him work out his chosen topics and then take a final look at the end.

Nobody has any suggestions?

ChatGPT. Any college that is counting on essays for admissions has got their head up their arse. You know how you can tell what the kid is like academcially? Grades. Scores. Sorry, that is it. All this self reported "executive director of non profit", "Captain of X team" and Essay written by Google Bart- colleges relying on unsubstantiated content are not serious about academics and are living in fantasy land. Why does this matter? Why do I care if colleges delude themselves that they are "custom crafting a perfect society in their incoming class"? (mostly unrelated to skills and appitude) I care because we have serious geopolitical threats and competition and Americans are turning into a bunch of wackos who have lost track of the plot. They are keeping may of the best minds from the best teachers while servicing woke agendas. Its bad for us all. There is a college for EVERYONE- we need to align capability to opportunity if WE hope to COLLECTIVELY prosper. Everyone is so focused on themselves and their snowflakeness that they no longer understand the macro picture of societies and growth. What fosters innovation and expansion? Access to capital and resources. for people capable of innovating. College admissions these days are like watching a slow motion train wreck.

The one who charges the most. You get what you pay for.

Liz Magill

Agreed. The most important thing is that the essays are authentic and, when read together (for schools with multiple essays) they give a holistic picture of the writer that is consistent and compelling. Too many students write an essay, set it aside and write another, without ample consideration of how the content of each interacts to demonstrate consistency rather than trying to drive home different points that the writer thinks the AO will be interested in seeing displayed. Another mistake is applying to many different schools and retooling the essays to "fit" each college profile rather than addressing each school separately. Your common app essay will likely be the same for each but, for example, the "Why us" essay that is retooled from school to school becomes old fast. Running the essays past people who know the student such as guidance counselor, favorite English teacher, parents etc. is better for maintaining an authentic voice.

Anne Fadiman

Op makes no sense: my kid is a great writer, so he needs a great essay coach to make his essays shine. What?

Me. I amz

Colleges essays are written by teens. Why do you need someone special to edit it? Any literate adult should be able to manage it.

Mom. And it’s free.

Has the kid volunteered much? The essay should talk about service.

I think it’s someone who really knows your kid tbh…and has worked as an inside selective admissions person for years…

The best person is the one who can nudge him to finish his essay this summer.

College Essay Guy

If cost doesn't matter (it kind of does but my son, a junior, is a good writer with good stories and I think the right person could his essays great).

Any suggestions? Clearly virtual is fine.