<p>I agree with LadyD, except that these essays are often a collaborative job, and not that indicative of what the student really can do. Nor does the SAT give much indication. I think the best the school can do is accept kids with a track record of doing well in school, and then teach them to write the first term. </p>
<p>I know this rather well off and very ambitions family. Eldest son is smart and a hard worker - thought not as brilliant as his parents think he is. He has had a lifetime of expensive private schools and multiple tutors. Last year he applied early (as in he is not a senior, not ED/EA) to his dream school. Dream School is a top 10 school, by anyone’s standard. I have actually sat through one of their info sessions with one of my own kids, and listened to the adcom say “we can tell if you do not write your own essay…” I always want to ask how do you know that?? Anyway, I said to a mutual friend “I wonder if the kid is writing his own essay or getting help?” Mutual friend said “oh, he is not writing his essay”. He spent time with a paid counselor who asked him lots of questions and then wrote the essays. Family thinks this is ok, because it was clearly his thoughts and opinions.</p>
<p>I was really wondering if Dream School would know, or not. I guess they did not, because kid was accepted.</p>
<p>All six of my daughters interviews have been with staff or current students, BTW. She is applying small LACs. Two of these interviews were for out of town schools, but the adcoms came to town and did interviews.</p>