<p>Ben Franklin said so.
However, for some kids, it isn't.</p>
<p>Especially from my culture - ethnically, Asian - lots of kids pay several thousand dollars to polish their application essays, decorate their ECs with untruthful descriptions, and exaggerate work experiences to present themselves as well-rounded artistic athletic philanthrophic scholars.</p>
<p>One of my friends who applied to Penn published a book out of her parents' pocket..!</p>
<p>duh~</p>
<p>My parents refuse to pay for sumptuous private college counseling program. My ECs and work experiences are decent. My essays are passionate and truthful but not fancy. If my friend and I have the similar academic backgrounds, if the ECs are the only breaking factor, and if the competition is just between her and me, will I have no chance at Penn?</p>
<p>I really hope Penn notices my passion, truthfulness, good personality:) and humor somehow.... (sigh)</p>
<p>Well, do you think it is worthwhile spending money on expensive application essay help?
Do you think colleges like penn can distinguish those "artificially flavored" apps from genuine ones?</p>
<p>You don't need untruthful descriptions or whatnot. Just structure and polish your resume nicely. As for your essay I think passionate is the way to go, just show who you are. Maybe get your english teacher or friends to offer suggestsion to improve syntax or grammar errors they find. It is what it is man, just do you.</p>
<p>And yeah, I'm pretty sure admissions officers can distinguish artificial flavored essays from genuine ones. If someone with a bad GPA wrote a perfect essay, that would raise some doubts...</p>
<p>My mom offered to hire a "tutor" to polish my essays and I flat out refused because it's morally wrong. Really, I would hate being your friend because (to me at least) it means so much more to get where you are on your own.</p>
<p>You are right. Sorry for generalization and stereotyping..!</p>
<p>However, I guess what Asians do to get into Ivies are more intense and extreme. For example,there is a program called Ivy L***, which costs 20,000 dollars a year. Also, it is easier for international kids to trick on their apps because colleges are not familiar with foreign systems.</p>
<p>I don't think it is worth that much, though.</p>
<p>It cannot boost up your SAT score by few hundreds nor change your gpa to glorious 4.0. Probably, some ivy graduate counselors will give you kind, hopeful advice.</p>
<p>The problem is people's misconception that the more expensive the better.</p>
<p>Don't worry. Even if those liars get in top colleges, they probably can't keep up with the heavy workload. And when they graduate, their attitude won't get them a nice job. </p>
<p>By the way, I'd really love to see these kids get into a uber-competitive LAC...loads of essays/reading/seminars, ha!</p>
<p>If you know how to write, you don't need to pay thousands of dollars for fancy essays. Considering that most Penn applicants know how to write, is it really that much of an advantage?</p>