Advice for applicants who want feedback on already-submitted essays

<p>The deadline is past. The immense pressure and worry that accumulated as the several college deadlines approached has now dissipated as the deadline passed. You felt relieved. But now, the sudden lack of control over your application has created another sort of worry, and you're not sure what to do between now and the imminent arrival of letters of rejection and acceptance. You started asking yourself questions such as "Was it good enough?" and "Could I have done better?". Inevitably, or initially as the case may be, you turned on the one segment of the application that you had almost unbridled control over: the essay.</p>

<p>It seems to me that quite a few people here post essays that have already been submitted. The act itself is not reprehensible; it is the cause that is questionable. I would bet that the main reason is to receive reassurance. You've written this massively important essay and for what seems like an eternity, in reality only three months, it appears that nobody cares.</p>

<p>Now, I must feel it necessary to reiterate that this is advice, if you want others (digitally) patting your back and telling you "It's a wonderful essay, there's no way they can't accept you", then go ahead. But you must remember one thing: the college's feedback is the only thing that matters. It might seem like the most obvious thing in the world, but once you realize this simple fact, I can guarantee that the jitters will go away. What is done is done, and you should be proud of yourself for having taken the first step to a better future. I recommend showing your personal statements to your English teacher, your peers, or your family to show how much you've accomplished, but there really doesn't seem to be much of a point to show it to strangers.</p>

<p>I gladly read and edited a few essays during application season so that they may improve their essays before they submitted them. There's no real benefit from requesting other people to read your essay unless you like to brag to total strangers or make yourself vulnerable to them. If they tell you it's good, the doubt remains, and if they tell you it's bad, it only worsens your anxiety.</p>

<p>For now, just enjoy your high school life as it winds to a close, and wait patiently for your future university to send you that coveted acceptance letter.</p>

<p>This really helped lower my stress level. Thank you so much!</p>