<p>I am sorry if I offended you DudeDiligence - I did not mean to. It was late at night and I composed a hasty response - and "tone" often is hard to convey - or misinterpreted. I wrote with a smile, but perhaps it didn't come across. What I thought was humorous, in response to your own use of the third-person to refer to yourself - obviously was perceived as hostile. And for that I am sorry. </p>
<p>But I do stand by my opinion -- I don't think with current technology that parents should be doing typing for 17 year olds. It's not as if the same paper has to be retyped again & again - if the student is using the identical essay, it can be photocopied. If the student wants to make minor changes, the essay should be word processed & reprinted. For those stuck with the idea of using hard copy, the essay can be an attachment, with the words "see attached" typed into the appropriate space on the form. </p>
<p>I applied to colleges in 1969. I was 15 years old. I typed my own essays, on a manual typewriter. Didn't kill me. So I don't think I'm out of line to expect my kids to do their own typing.</p>