Burke parent here -

I wouldn't stress about this and I wouldn't necessarily tell your kid in advance if you think he/she will stress.

Your DC's "essay" is going to be compared to other kids their age who are similarly nervous and similarly undeveloped writers. If he/she can string a few sentences together that are more or less legible and communicate some idea, even imperfectly, I really think that will be sufficient.

Burke is a great place.

He will be fine. Burke is a really warm, welcoming place.

Same exact boat here. Son is applying to 6th and visits this week.

My DC, applying to Burke for 6th, will go on the half-day visit which includes writing an essay during the visit. Has anyone had recent experience with the Burke visit? My DC, (like the DCs of all DCUM posters,of course) is bright, charming, engaging, but likely to be nervous and stressed about writing an on-the-spot essay in an unfamiliar environment. I have not told DC about the essay portion of the day as I do not want DC to be nervous about it, nor do I want to DC to pick up any stress or doubt about in my voice. Any advice or information? TIA