Essay Edge: Advantage for the rich?

Applying to College
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<p>I stumbled across essay edge today, and this is what I found.</p>

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<p>Whether you are applying to Harvard, UCLA, Boston University, or one of 650 other top schools, your job is the same. You must distinguish yourself from hundreds or even thousands of applicants with similar grades, activities, and SAT scores. To achieve this, your entrance essay must not only demonstrate your grasp of grammar and ability to write lucid, structured prose, but also paint a vivid picture of your personality and character, one that compels a busy admissions officer to accept you.</p>

<p>While this may seem like a lot to achieve in an essay, you have the benefit of control. Essay Edge will give you an advantage in the ultra-competitive college application process by editing your admissions essays to perfection, while at the same time maintaining your unique voice. We've helped tens of thousands of students beat out high school valedictorians for admission to Ivy League schools. We've also helped students with below average grades and low class ranks gain entrance to prestigious universities like Berkeley. Our professional Harvard-educated editors can rework even the roughest draft into an eloquent expression of your unique talents and insights.</p>

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<p>So basically, do they read you essay and make it great? There expensive, so isn't this only a benefit for those who have money to throw around? Has anyone you know ever used this? Because the more I read about it, the more unfair it seems. For those of us who work hard and rewrite essays a million times, there's gonna be a kid with lots of extra cash who can send their essay in and get a great one in return. Anyone else know about this/have a opinion?</p>

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<p>Ridiculus, huh? That’s not the only place where the rich benefit though. SAT prep courses, private tutors, expensive prep school, connections for internships, not to mention the all-out contributions to schools of choice.</p>

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<p>of course its unfair. like michele hernandez who used to be an ex admissions officer for dartmouth started her own admissions company and charges 40 grand per client.</p>

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<p>exactly how expensive is this writing helping thing you posted about?</p>

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<p>I mean, its not That bad, but its still a good deal. And that is just for a one time thing. </p>

<p>My question is, do you guys think this is ethical? Is it allowed? I honestly don’t think it is fair but…</p>

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<p>We live in a capitalist society- all’s fair in market capitalism.</p>

<p>Do I think this is ethical? No, not really, but my thought is that if you can’t even write a college essay, you’re in for a surprise later on in life.</p>

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<p>I think it’s ridiculous…it only takes about 15-30 to successfully edit a 500-900 word essay. I can’t believe that it costs $174.95 to edit a standard size college essay. This is unfair and should be considered illegal and unethical. But, I guess this is life; just reassure yourself that your hard work will pay off with the appearance of a fat envelope come decision time!</p>

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<p>I know of one person who used this service, and did get into stanford, but I am sure this was not the only thing. He is a genius, with great SAT/ACT/SATII scores and like a 4.5 gpa. That only leads me to think why someone with this intelligence level, who most assuredly would be capable of writing a great essay, would turn to this. My other problem with this service is that is helps kids with extra money who do minimum work get the same/better quality work than others who write it themselves would. This isn’t a attack on the privileges of the rich, but rather of the unfairness that comes along with money. What other thoughts do you guys have?</p>

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<p>The value is not in the editing, it’s in the strategy behind choice of essay subject and essay approach.</p>

<p>So what’s new here? The wealthy have way bigger advantages in admission than this one-legacy, ability to pay for great coaches to produce recruited athletes, ability to buy their way in, sending their kids to top private schools increasing their scores and skills…</p>

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<p>yep, being rich brings many advantages, and it’s unfair to those who aren’t rich.</p>

<p>Advocate socialism if you really want that to change.</p>

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<p>Well, there’s nothing that we can do to change it now…Things like this, and everything that newyorka mentioned, has been going on forever. However, I do believe that it is a good subject to talk about and aknowledge; everyone should be informed at least.</p>

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<p>Does anybody have any statistics to back their claim that rich kids have an easier time getting into college than poor/middle class kids? I mean sure, its supposed to be common sense that it is true, but is it really? Have colleges rearranged their financial aid plans just for kicks? I mean, Harvard has a new finaid policy that goes like this: your family makes less than 60K a year you go for free! That’s some serious money going out Harvard’s gate for poor/middle class citizens! Doesn’t it seem that some colleges want to be able to provide for all economic levels?</p>

<p>So before we go advocating socialism (which stinks because it means everyone has to meet the lowest common social denominator and can’t create their own success) I would really like to see some statistics! </p>

<p>F.Y.I. I am not rich by any means. This is coming from a middle class citizen!</p>

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<p>They can buy essays, but they can’t buy happiness.</p>

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<p>FYi- I am middle class as well.
<em>I do not advocate socialism, communism.</em>

This is not the point of paying for college, but rather regarding getting into college. </p>

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Don’t you think if you got into your dream school you would be happy? </p>

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I agree; everyone should know about this topic so that they are at least informed. Has anyone encountered someone who has used this service who can provide their reasons behinds this?</p>

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<p>az, it is assumed that if you are paying for Harvard you are going/have gotten into Harvard!!!</p>

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<p>our very own college confidential offers an essay service (now they are doing business as college karma, though)</p>

<p>scroll down: [College</a> Counseling Services](<a href=“http://www.collegekarma.com/college_counseling/college_counseling.htm]College”>http://www.collegekarma.com/college_counseling/college_counseling.htm)</p>

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<p>Lol, I know. There are numerous students from lower - middle class families who get into Harvard through their own hard work, good grades, and good essays. That’s beside the point. Other students get into Harvard by using essays that were crap and polished by this and services like this to help them get into college. Is it impossible to get into college without this service? No. But this service will undoubtedly make it easier since you do not have to worry about writing a world class essay. Looking over essay edge’s list of editors, it seems they are very capable and very experienced. Buts its a matter of is it right to allow something like this? I did not know about this until recently and feel that everyone should have a even playing field.</p>

<p>I saw the college Karma one, and that’s even more expensive than this companies.</p>

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<p>Why do you thik the top schools have adopted financial aid initiatives?</p>

<p>They did so because their schools were overwhelming comprised of the wealthy. It’s an effort to diversify and level the playing field just a lttle.</p>

<p>Consider this: at most ivies over half the class can pay full and another large group can pay most. They have long been generous to the poor but they had squeezed out the middle class because their EFCs were not doable by families in many cases.</p>

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<p>i know this might annoy some of you… but…</p>

<p>do u guys know how affective it is? cuz i am probably the poorest writer on the planet and if this makes my essay half-way decent im in…</p>

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<p>lol,
"i know this might annoy some of you… but…</p>

<p>do u guys know how affective it is? "</p>

<p>its effective,not affective. maybe u should get the essay done by someone else</p>