"Why would I review it? Will I be reviewing their work in college?

I know there are many who pay people to write them, edit them, change them, etc... but I feel like it is cheating the system."

Part of the process is teaching your DC that pretty much under all circumstances someone should review and edit anything important that they ever write.

This is true for their college application essay, their college papers, their resumes, their dissertations, their grant applications, novels, business plans and wills.

It doesn't have to be a parent or a consultant but for it to be their best work, it needs to be heavily reviewed and edited. The student has the last say, of course.

-signed proud parent of a straight C HS writer, who learned to write doing his college essay and ended up with an A in his college writing course

We didn't go the consultant route, but did read up on it a bit, checked out some examples on the web and helped with editing. It was also reviewed as English teacher. So far, he's 4 for 4 on acceptances. The best advice I'd give is to have a hook to make sure it's interesting to read and to make sure it still has your kid's voice.

Why would I review it? Will I be reviewing their work in college?

I know there are many who pay people to write them, edit them, change them, etc... but I feel like it is cheating the system.

my kids wrote it. i reviewed/commented on it. some were accepted, some were not which is fine.

I have heard of consultants that charge up to 2K for this service. I don't believe in it. It strikes me as excessive and it has the potential to mislead the school (which is not ethical in my book nor is it to your child's advantage to trick your way into a place that is over their head).

But, I did get some good tips from one who gave a talk at our high school (which was free, because I suspect she gets clients that way Her advice was to start by interviewing your child. Write down all of the topics/moments/experiences that they seem passionate about when they talk. You will find your focus in there somewhere. When you/the child picks that idea (use one that will allow her to showcase some of her positive traits/unique characteristics that make her someone a college would want in their community), then the child should OVERWRITE in response to the prompt--meaning that they should write two or three times what they need. THEN, have maybe two adults (one an english teacher? most high schools help with this) start editing it down. That way, it is the child's "voice" but someone more experienced can just polish it up, point out places where the organization goes off track, nominate passages for deletion, etc.

The goal, according to this consultant, is to get the admissions person to feel something about your child. If they have come across as an individual, the admissions staffer is more likely to fight for them at an admissions session. Last but not least, we have heard that the essay only carries so much weight: it can't salvage a child who is clearly unqualified to go somewhere, and is unlikely to sink a child who checks all of the school's boxes. They are important for that large, middle group, who will only get through if they have an advocate at the table.

Hope that helps!

I steered my DC towards some examples of essays that worked on a website (can't remember which one). She had to write a common app essay at the beginning of senior year for her English class. She submitted that. I never saw it. She's a happy college sophomore.

Anonymous wrote:How do most people handle the essay portion of the application?
Do you review and edit DC's essay or do most people use outside services?
Any recommendations for outside services to assist with brainstorming ideas and reviewing/editing? Typical ballbark cost?

How does your child want to handle it - it’s kinda their call. Son did it all on his own. Daughter had a person a prepmatters read and go over it with her. Both went to the colleges they wanted to.

How do most people handle the essay portion of the application?
Do you review and edit DC's essay or do most people use outside services?
Any recommendations for outside services to assist with brainstorming ideas and reviewing/editing? Typical ballbark cost?