<p>This one is new to me, but it MIGHT make sense, if you trusted the people putting it on:</p>
<p>It's the idea of an "Essay Camp," which is sort of a cross between a boot-camp to get college essays written and and essay help/editing service to get it polished. More than just writing essays, the hook is that they teach techniques that the students can use to tackle various prompts they'll encounter. I didn't see the length of time (and now can't find the article) the camp is, but I the few I found online were 1.5 - 2 weeks.</p>
<p>Anyone else seen such a thing)? My first impression was that parents and students wouldn't really go for that, but then I thought that the stress relief of getting all that done early might be worth it.</p>
<p>Our son’s AP English class was supposed to serve the same purpose. The “essay” was the first assignment. I will admit that the commentary from our challenged HS was not great. But rewrites and some “judicious” comments from his mother…and he did fine.</p>
<p>These camps in the links seem to cover a little more than help with an essay (but not much more). In my view, if a parent wanted to pay for someone to guide their child with an essay, they could get one on one help (not a group) for a TENTH of that price. Further, if they wanted help with the ENTIRE college process with a personal advisor for a full year, including help with numerous essays (we all know more than one essay is needed for most students), they could pay about the same amount to a counselor for that. When looked at that way, I don’t think they are getting much bang for the buck to pay that price in a group setting with the outcome of one essay, considering the other advising options that exist for families who seek assistance, generally speaking.</p>
<p>soozievt - YAY- great to hear from you! Yes these camps also give a more in depth look at the colleges and seems to give some attention to the full admissions process. But I was SHOCKED, SHOCKED, I TELL YA at the prices. But of course it has to include dorm and meals and whatever other activities they have included.</p>
<p>mafool - I have a good friend who is an AP English teacher and she tries to accomplish this in her class as well, but admits that she falls back on what she calls “English Teacher Rules” (outline, grammar, etc) which may not always result in an interesting essay.</p>
<p>Youdon’tsay - You think there’s a market for this? I’m still undecided on whether it is useful.</p>
<p>digi, I couldn’t/wouldn’t pay for it, but I couldn’t/wouldn’t pay for a private college counselor, yet people with big bucks do it all the time. Also, I didn’t say it would be useful, but that won’t keep people from paying for it. ;)</p>
<p>My son’s been to residential academic camps (HIS choice!!!) and they ran to over $1000 a week for the unsubsidized ones. I’ve seen other camps at more than $1000 a week. So these prices aren’t too far out of line.</p>