Parents/College Students. Essay reading? Yes?

<p>I just need a couple of people to help me out. Yesterday I had both my Freshman and Senior English teachers read my Harvard essay. Here was each of their responses:</p>

<p>Senior teacher: This was such a BEAUTIFUL ESSAY. I really thought it just showed how grounded you are, and really just gave this perfect essence of who you are as a person. I completely understand why you would want to send this in, it was just so wonderful. </p>

<p>Freshman teacher: I sort of liked it. I mean the concept was okay, but I think it could use a bit more work. I just say this because I know you are capable of much better. </p>

<p>Personally, I was so happy to hear the first review (because I really liked this essay, although yeah there may have been a few small things since I wrote it in virtually one night..but I kind of loved it.) and then when I spoke to my freshman teacher, I was kind of crushed. I hope she is overstating this, but obviously it did not seem to really resonate with her the way it did with my other teacher. </p>

<p>My mother of course said this : It was good sweetheart. </p>

<p>and then she smiled and went to bed. So I have really gotten no help there. :(</p>

<p>So. I ask you, as my last resort, please help. :) </p>

<p>Thank you in advance.</p>

<p>Ask another respected person to read it. Maybe a history teacher.</p>

<p>I would not send it to people here on CC who don’t know you and you have no idea of what their level of essay evaluation skill is.</p>

<p>I see what you are saying, but at the same time, admissions officers do not know me either…and both teachers agreed that this was a decent depiction of who I am as a person, at least as far as content goes which is what matters. But I just want to know whether the essay as a whole is impressive (like literally…good or bad, you like it or do not like it after the first reading. because that is really what i picture admissions officers focusing on) to strangers or not. preferably adults.</p>

<p>I would still lean towards having another teacher or your GC read it since your senior teacher loved it. It must be a good essay. </p>

<p>The admissions people are reading your essay in comparison to 100’s of others they read. They are viewing your entire application at the same time so they are getting a picture of you even though they don’t know you.</p>

<p>If my posting all this has prevented others from stepping in to offer and you still want them to, then start another thread. Just ask people to read it without giving them all the background you wrote here since you want an unbiased opinion anyway.</p>

<p>Quick question … should you ask teachers to read your essay?</p>

<p>You know I just assumed that since it is such an important essay that a teacher would feel honored to be asked. But maybe I’m wrong, they can always refuse.<br>
That’s a good question.</p>

<p>I have always been told to ask them, and ask them first. I choose the English teachers that like me the most. But I suppose if you have a teacher who teaches anything and likes you a lot outside of class, ask them. I think getting an adult’s opinion in general is pretty important. But then I would say on top of that, get an adult who does not know you very well to read it after your favorite teachers have edited it for you. Like maybe someone your parents trust but who does not know you that well. Or your senior year teachers, since they just met you…that is what I did:)</p>