<p>During an admissions session at Cornell a few months ago, a parent asked what the University was doing in regards to professional essay writing companies. The adcom was dumbfounded and admitted that they had no way of knowing the difference between an honest, well-written essay from an applicant and a not-so-honest, extremely well-written essay by a professional essay writer. This seems incredibly unfair how some kids are stooping down to a new level in this totally random 'admissions game.' I was just wondering, will the emergence of these professionals have any impact on the importance of the essays in the deciding process at Cornell?</p>
<p>I think any essay can be structurally and grammatically near perfect, by any student. Careful editing, planning, and revision can achieve this.</p>
<p>The content comes from the heart. Sure you can tell your essay writer what you want in your essay, but the original and very personal humor, personality quirks, etc., that only YOU can put into your essay. Recalling my own college essay, I doubt telling someone else that "I found trumpet much more exciting than violin" would have translated to the sentance expressing that in my essay, "A semester of violin lessons at a conservatory was enough to convince me trumpet was my instrument."</p>
<p>Writing your essay, you will have flashes of inspiration that someone who is not you can't and will never be able to have. I think the best written essays will still come from students who are passionate about what they do, versus entrepenures who are passionate about making money off of the obsession we have with getting into a "good college."</p>
<p>Granted, the stakes will be higher now that some kids aren't writing their essays anymore, but I still think the student's inner voice shows subconsciously in a self written essay.</p>
<p>(It's not like parents and teachers haven't been reviewing and advision on essays for years. Don't get me wrong though, I find this trend disturbing)</p>
<p>A friend of mine from Florida says the big thing in his high school now is hiring "college advisors" starting in grade 9 and advising the student throughout high school, For about $5,000 these people tell you what clubs to join, classes to take, community service projects to participate in etc, etc. They also help with filling out the college application. Parents will pay this kind of money to hopefully increase the odds that Skippy gets into his dream (or their dream) college.</p>
<p>With money you could buy anything. Usually when it comes to the SAT and prep classes, I feel really belittled. Personally, I don't have the resources to feel competetive enough with every other college-bound student. However, SPARTICUS800, thanx! u gave me great insight and good advice!</p>
<p>I gave people advice on how to write their essay and what to include in it. Many people found this useful and soon, it was on the featured discussion list. Check it out; you might find it very useful:</p>
<p>SAT Classes just give you experience and test taking skills. You can't learn that much actual knowledge in them. Vocab lists, yeah that helps, but like, just take alot of practice tests and that will be the best prep you can get.</p>
<p>Resurrected from 4 years ago? Fail.</p>