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

Anonymous wrote:If your DC asked for help, then give some help. Having them read it out loud to you goes a long way for finding things that are awkward. Fix the worst grammar errors or point out places to improve flow. That’s what the English teacher would be doing. Don’t suggest lots of wording changes or restructure it completely - you’ll lose DC’s voice. For most colleges, it really won’t be the most important thing.

And to PP who said they wrote most of it for 2 kids - I salute you. The only place that I really think the essays matter is for very selective schools. This is where I think it’s most important for students to write their own essay, and also where I’m sure the most paid for essays are submitted. My DC1 wrote a crappy 1st cut essay that he refused to edit and got into state flagship on strength of SAT scores. DC2 wrote amazing essays that I never saw and was accepted at several top schools. Writing is the current bane of DC3. Has difficulty starting because they have a bazillion ideas and can’t pick one. Then, if left on own will produce 3 times as much writing as needed and then can’t edit down. Did I sit down this weekend and ask them a series of questions, typing their answers, to get something outlined as a start? Yes. They are supposed to do some more editing in the next week. Will I likely be sitting down again to help refine? Yes. They aren’t applying to top schools, the essay is a BS requirement generally IMO, and I’m over it.

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.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm surprised to read this. I would not dream of writing an essay for my kid. He's working on it on his own...did brainstorm a bit with me but that's it. At this point, he does not want to show it to me. Is going to share with English teachers at school. He said he may have me read it because he's not sure he trusts his English teacher on content. If he does, I'll only proof or point out something if it seems awkward.

He's applying to top schools; I was thinking essays do matter and was suspecting that admissions officers are good at detecting authentic student voice.

Do find the 20+ supplemental essays to really be excessive. How can kids applying to 10 schools come up with reasons why each one is the perfect place for them?

One way is not to apply to 20 schools...

Anonymous wrote:I'm surprised to read this. I would not dream of writing an essay for my kid. He's working on it on his own...did brainstorm a bit with me but that's it. At this point, he does not want to show it to me. Is going to share with English teachers at school. He said he may have me read it because he's not sure he trusts his English teacher on content. If he does, I'll only proof or point out something if it seems awkward.

He's applying to top schools; I was thinking essays do matter and was suspecting that admissions officers are good at detecting authentic student voice.

Do find the 20+ supplemental essays to really be excessive. How can kids applying to 10 schools come up with reasons why each one is the perfect place for them?

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

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your DC asked for help, then give some help. Having them read it out loud to you goes a long way for finding things that are awkward. Fix the worst grammar errors or point out places to improve flow. That’s what the English teacher would be doing. Don’t suggest lots of wording changes or restructure it completely - you’ll lose DC’s voice. For most colleges, it really won’t be the most important thing.

And to PP who said they wrote most of it for 2 kids - I salute you. The only place that I really think the essays matter is for very selective schools. This is where I think it’s most important for students to write their own essay, and also where I’m sure the most paid for essays are submitted. My DC1 wrote a crappy 1st cut essay that he refused to edit and got into state flagship on strength of SAT scores. DC2 wrote amazing essays that I never saw and was accepted at several top schools. Writing is the current bane of DC3. Has difficulty starting because they have a bazillion ideas and can’t pick one. Then, if left on own will produce 3 times as much writing as needed and then can’t edit down. Did I sit down this weekend and ask them a series of questions, typing their answers, to get something outlined as a start? Yes. They are supposed to do some more editing in the next week. Will I likely be sitting down again to help refine? Yes. They aren’t applying to top schools, the essay is a BS requirement generally IMO, and I’m over it.

+1M

Anonymous wrote:If your DC asked for help, then give some help. Having them read it out loud to you goes a long way for finding things that are awkward. Fix the worst grammar errors or point out places to improve flow. That’s what the English teacher would be doing. Don’t suggest lots of wording changes or restructure it completely - you’ll lose DC’s voice. For most colleges, it really won’t be the most important thing.

And to PP who said they wrote most of it for 2 kids - I salute you. The only place that I really think the essays matter is for very selective schools. This is where I think it’s most important for students to write their own essay, and also where I’m sure the most paid for essays are submitted. My DC1 wrote a crappy 1st cut essay that he refused to edit and got into state flagship on strength of SAT scores. DC2 wrote amazing essays that I never saw and was accepted at several top schools. Writing is the current bane of DC3. Has difficulty starting because they have a bazillion ideas and can’t pick one. Then, if left on own will produce 3 times as much writing as needed and then can’t edit down. Did I sit down this weekend and ask them a series of questions, typing their answers, to get something outlined as a start? Yes. They are supposed to do some more editing in the next week. Will I likely be sitting down again to help refine? Yes. They aren’t applying to top schools, the essay is a BS requirement generally IMO, and I’m over it.