<p>It seems that once in a while, some rising senior will ask for advice on their college essays on these CC boards.</p>
<p>More than likely, there will be some two-dozen helpful CCers who volunteer to read it and give comments. </p>
<p>It is in my experience that the truly bad essays will get generally universal panning. However, what about better, good or excellent essays? In my experience, when I get too many opinions on something, it defeats the original purpose. Instead of getting true insight, we get a multitude of voices offering 3 or 5 or even 20 different ways to fix or improve. </p>
<p>When I was completing my college essays in my senior year, I showed them to everyone who would read it. It proved to be one too many opinions and it only made my head spin. </p>
<p>When I again had the opportunity to show someone an essay for an application this past year, I only allowed two generous folks to proofread it. Revising the essay with two sets (instead of twenty sets) of focused criticism was incredibly easier. </p>
<p>So is it really wise to ask everyone who is willing to read your essay? I really encourage the rising senior to find two or three people with different experiences and backgrounds (and whose judgment you trust) to carefully read your essays. Posting on CC with 50 responses from (mostly very, very kind helpful people with the occasional junior or senior who wants to steal ideas) random people will probably only waste your time.</p>
<p>Anyone disagree?</p>