<p>The choice of college essay topics is generally open-ended enough that a student should be able to write in a genre or voice where they are comfortable. It does not have to be a “fluffy” essay.</p>
<p>Post 29
That is probably WHY the essays helped! It isn’t the essays that give the colleges what they “expect” that do much for the applicant – it is those that surprise or delight or even sometimes simply generate enough controversy around the ad com table to lead to a productive discussion.</p>
<p>being a great writer is not needed in many, many professions…
Ah, but being a great thinker and decision-maker IS important in many professions. And, we’re talking college applications- which require you to write some responses that directly show your ability to think and make decisions.</p>
<p>*I was raised knowing that I should not let others do my work for me. * Of course, we all have work others do for us, every day, every week. </p>
<p>Yes, a kid should write her own essay. But, to expect a hs kid to succeed at something he has never done before, without any support at all…no GC reviewing, no teacher catching a typo, your uncle-the-writer- checking consistency, your buddy taking a look…I disagree. Have you never had anyone double-check your work before submitting it? Have you never revised something based on another’s input? </p>
<p>I don’t like the extreme condition where, for an immense amount of money, a pro takes over. But, intelligent critique is an important aspect of growth and improvement.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>This is true in any class where essays are part of the grade. A student with enough money can always hire a ghost writer. Most of them turn out pretty lousy product. </p>
<p>
</p>
<p>It’s actually LESS valued. It’s a tie-breaker, something that can tip the scales, when a student is already a serious candidate for admission. But, the issue here is college admissions. Being a great writer is a definite advantage and is most definitely needed in the profession of being a college student.</p>
<p>If a student doesn’t want to write essays, there are many schools which will automatically admit high-stats applicants based just on test scores and GPA.</p>
<p>On the signature page on the common application I checked that my personal essay was my own. I highly doubt that a paid consultant only checked for missing commas. Yes, I do agree others do work for us every. I stated that “I should not let others do MY work for me”. Those are two entirely different things. The signature page on the common application means something. When the colleges that I applied to see my signature, I can honestly say my work is my own.
You also ask how a high school student is supposed
to succeed at something he
has never done before?!?!
By this stage in life, I’m fairly
certain that all of us seniors
have written an essay. I
guess the next step is
getting help writing our
essays on our ACTs and
SATs. By hiring a consultant, I would think that means a parent doesn’t have confidence in his child’s own ability, plus I would personally think my parents were too involved. This is my time to show my abilities.</p>
<p>HPFan13, how do you feel about unpaid consultants helping with college essays? If a teacher, counselor, adult friend, peer or friendly stranger on CC reads over an applicant’s essays and offers comments, do you feel that the applicant’s essay is no longer their own work?</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Don’t college essays generally have a word limit? Anyone reading an essay is going to know whether or no that applicant has been able to convey their thoughts in the most efficient, precise manner. I think most english teachers, at least at our high school at the junior/senior at AP level have an excellent grasp of what makes a good college essay and know that it’s not necessarily the same as what they expect from students when they turn in classroom work. You have to remember that these english teachers go through this cycle every year. I don’t think college essays are about abstract writing… they’re about conveying who you are to someone through a topic that you feel passionate about. Some students might choose a more abstract way to illustrate this, but even abstract can be precise and creative.</p>
<p>All I can tell you is this. I applied to fifteen different colleges. I worked on one or two applications a day. I did not receive any help. The common application clearly states this… " I certify that all information submitted in the admission process is my own work" I took that seriously.
The application also states that " your personal essay will also demonstrate YOUR ability to organize your thoughts and express yourself". I guess what is considered your own work then by the adcoms is the real question? I worked on my essays by myself. I do wish all adcoms could read this post. There does seem to be a huge difference of opinion here. By getting help on your essay, you are not showing your own ability in MY opinion. I do not see why a student can get help in this situation but not on the ACT or SAT ( I know I have stated that earlier). I also know that there are all kinds of help that a student can get before one if these tests. I just don’t see a difference here. In both situations, the work should be the students alone. The actual process should be what the student is capable of doing on his own. Otherwise, how do the adcoms know where the student is truly at?
If you do reply, I will answer. I have to go to work though! I will be home in six hours!</p>
<p>I’d point out that (a) the ability to capably express oneself in writing and (b) the ability to accept and integrate critique and improve based on such input – are integral and essential to success at college. So the student who is frustrated or intimidated by the college essay requirement is likely to have a hard time producing the kind of work that college professors expect on exams and college papers. This is especially true in the context of liberal arts colleges, which tend to place greater importance on essays in the admissions process.</p>
<p>Students do get help on the SAT and ACT in the form of prep classes. It is pretty well documented that these courses offer a significant advantage. I think it is, for lack of a better word, funny that people protest admissions putting significant weight on essays. Essays are the perfect opportunity for a student to show who they are. To me, the essay helps differentiate the student from all those numbers. Even though my daughter’s Common App essay was definitely not her best work, it said a lot about who she is as a person. I did help her with editing, but it was her voice. I would have preferred her English teacher edit for her, but my daughter’s travel schedule for her sport made it nearly impossible. I think admissions people can tell when an essay has been “handled” too much.</p>
<p>By this stage in life, I’m fairly certain that all of us seniors have written an essay.</p>
<p>Right. But, what hs English and history teachers want is different than what reveals your strengths to an adcom. Teachers are trying to instill certain skills. Adcoms are trying to piece together a picture of you they do not have from hours in the classroom with you. They need to see your viability as an admit. Most kids have not written a “personal statement” in this competitive context. </p>
<p>Fine, if you want to write it entirely by yourself. That is the goal. Fine, if you want to say to a teacher or other, how did I do? I think it’s crazy that the context here is college and the presumed learning that goes with that- and we’re arguing about constructive criticism. In college, will you go to office hours and help sessions? Of course. Might you go to the writing center for help? I hope so. What if the writing center mentions your grammatical errors or rambling? Will it not be your own work? </p>
<p>I am a huge advocate of integrity. I am appalled at for-hire essay writers and cheating. But, what qualifies any work- written, artistic, engineered- as your own is not always creating it in a precise vacuum. It is originating and maintaining control of the thoughts, concepts, and execution, including revisions. Maybe that’s my adult perspective. As a writer, I seek editorial support. Previously, in a technical field, I asked for validation of the concepts I proposed. It was still my work. An attorney, scientist, baker, you-name-it, will seek a valid other opinion. </p>
<p>Btw, I have admissions experience. I have read hundreds of those “I did it all by myself” essays and nearly shouted, “Why didn’t she get someone to look at this?!”</p>
<p>Ok, I’m on a soapbox.</p>
<p>I’m a high school senior. I didn’t allow anyone to touch my essay. I was too nervous they would hate it since it was so weird. I got into all of my colleges (including really elite ones) except for Georgetown where I was deferred. I’m happy I can definitely call the essay my own work.</p>
<p>HPFan13, you have a tremendous sense of integrity, but I think you have gone far far above what any admissions officer or college would require. I cannot imagine that any admissions officer would expect that an applicant not show their essay drafts to a teacher or other editor. If adcoms want to look at an essay which they know is for sure the applicant’s work with no outside influence, they can use the essay from the SAT. </p>
<p>In college, you’ll have classes where you need to write term papers or essays. There’ll also be tests. The tests might be open book or take-home, but it’s assumed that absolutely no one else will review your work. The term papers are more flexible. You can’t have someone else write them for you, but you can talk to the professor during office hours, tutors, writing center advisors, librarians, and your classmates and ask for their input. Admissions essays are like term papers. You’re treating them like a midterm.</p>
<p>Raiderade,</p>
<p>Your essays and their reception sound similar to my daughter’s! She got into all her EA schools including 2 “reaches”. She wrote one of her essays about her love of heavy metal concerts and how people judged her at first sight since she is a pretty, petite, clean cut, California blonde 
One of her extracurriculars is singing Italian Opera!! The theme of her essay was judgement and being unique. Her other essay was about her love of riding horses and trust (equestrian for 11 years).</p>
<p>As I mentioned before, I thought they were kind of “out there” and was worried about their reception for College Admissions, but they obviously liked them!</p>
<p>I agree with Calmom. If a student is intimidated by the college essay requirement, that said student will have a hard time producing that kind of work for the college professors!
Fishymom, I know that students get help for the SAT and ACT from prep classes and other sources. That’s why I stated that there is all kinds of help students can get before they actually take the tests. I was trying to point out that no help is given to the students while taking the tests. That’s what is bothering me about the essays for the application process!
By the way, I also play a select sport during the spring (volleyball). Which sport does your daughter play? I also play soccer in the spring for my school, but volleyball is my favorite!
Lookingforward, please remember that I am giving my opinion. It is alright if you don’t agree with me :0) I did attend a college summer session this past summer. One of the classes I took was a creative writing class which I absolutely, positively loved! I got an A! I did attend office hours for this particular class and one other. Some essays were required to be written during class which of course we could not receive help on. I don’t understand how taking a class can be compared to filling out an application. I guess it doesn’t matter because the process is done for me! I have two older brothers that have now finished college. I am following in their amazing footsteps :0)
Raiderade, great job!!!
Now I am off to bed because I have to be at school at 6:30 in the morning :0(</p>
<p>I respect your sense of pride at handling this by yourself. I just see so many dumbxxx essays, even from top performers. My greater point is that the kid who seeks ordinary advice is not cheating. He can still sign off that it is his work. </p>
<p>One life lesson many adults value is knowing when to ask for help- in many cases, they just need just an opinion, just another’s thoughts, to ensure they are on the right track. One lesson teens value relates to independence- being able to do things on their own and state with pride that they did so. The desire for independence doesn’t preclude getting advice from someone who’s got a little experience.</p>
<p>Many adults see improvement as a life long continuum- not just quantitative, as in I finished the job faster today than yesterday. But in quality. And, to do that, we talk, we share advice, we google, we ask an expert, post a question on a forum, whatever. And, we are proud of that- every bit as much as when we figure something out on our own. I’m still pontificating. You get my drift. Best of luck.</p>
<p>I think that the line may be crossed when someone is PAID to read/critique the essay(s).</p>
<p>My son followed exactly the advice of the former Caltech Admission Director: Don’t let your parents and your teachers read your essays. He got in EA.</p>
<p>Keep in mind that the college essay is NOT generally seen as a test of writing ability or mechanics. Colleges that place a great deal of importance on writing ability often ask for additional materials, such as a graded writing sample, to get a better sense of the “ability” part. In the college essay they are looking to get a better sense of the student’s personality and interests, and also of the reasons the student wants to attend that college, to get a sense of fit. So if you have someone look over your essay for purposes of proofreading, it’s not cheating – it is just common sense for many people. </p>
<p>I do agree that parents and teachers can really overstep their boundaries. I’m just pointing out that the student who asks for feedback and proofreading is not doing anything wrong, even if another student chooses not to follow that route.</p>
<p>Calmom, I have this tacked on my wall, cuz it made so much sense. It’s from Bates College, about the personal statement.
What’s the purpose of this essay?
One purpose, obviously, is to give us a sample of your writing. Liberal arts colleges place a premium on strong writing skills. We look for a mastery of the mechanics of writing (grammar, syntax, and organization) as well as for fluency and originality. Your essay gives us a taste of the maturity of your thinking and writing, and of your readiness for a competitive liberal arts program.</p>
<p>A second purpose is to enable you to share something of yourself that may not be reflected in your academic record or in your recommendations.</p>