What if you read one of your child’s essays and think, “Well there goes her chances…” Do you jump in? Do you “heavily edit”? What if, as a candidate, they ride the line b/w a great and average student and the essay is what needs to push them fully to great but the essay stinks?
I know a great student who can’t write could easily be passed on and I hate that. I can’t have the only child like this…
What’s your goal?
@ClarinetDad16 - My goal? To see her get accepted to one of the 10 colleges she’s applying to - all which require either the common app essay, the common app essay + supplemental, or supplemental essays.
I would not overwork their essay with them… admissions will spot the over-polished essay that doesn’t feel like it was written by a teen.
But this may be the case where you want to seek professional help. Essay consultants aren’t needed for everyone, but they can help with a student for whom writing isn’t entirely organic–their job is to get them through the essays WITHOUT writing it for them or blotting out their voice. Memoir writing doesn’t come naturally to all people, but someone who is an expert in it can give tips/tricks and then edit to get the final product into a good place. Consultants who specialize in essays aren’t astronomically expensive, like some college consultants, and it may be worth it.
So, are you going to help her with her essays and work once in college as well?
You’re not doing your daughter any favors by doing the work for her. What is your child’s self worth going to be if Momma is writing the essays and doing the work? There are plenty of great colleges out there at all levels which will provide a great education. Build a realistic list that includes true safeties and matches and she’ll be fine and will find a spot that fits her abilities while providing four years of learning.
If you feel folks that are being honest with you are jerks and you can’t take some honest advice off an anonymous message board then you sound more than a little thin skinned. CC is about sharing advice and opinions, not reinforcing some ill-conceived notions.
@doschicos - Sorry - I knew you were on the other thread of mine where there’s tons of snarkiness and felt like you dug this thread up on the heels of that for no reason. I didn’t see any “honest advice” in what you said initially. Thank you for your thoughts/opinion. I don’t consider myself thin-skinned - just new here and honestly surprised grown adults treat each other so rudely whether anonymous or not.
@traport:
The main theme of the essay should be coming from your daughter, the experience should be your daughter’s and the goal of ther essay should be your daughter’s but you can always get either family or professional college consultants look at the essay and make it look good. I think it s a given that a lot of students do see college consultants to get their essays toned and so there’s nothing bad about it. I have seen even friends send each other their essays and get an opinion and if that is the case, why not parents/family/professionals too?
@DIBM96 - I agree w/ you. And thank you for the advice. You’re right - I would never impose a theme or experience or a goal. I, too, thought it was a common practice for parents to be involved in this process - didn’t think it would impact self-esteem or do a disservice. Maybe we’ll look more toward schools w/o an essay requirement!
Yes- the writing is important, but also equally important for the common app essay, is what the applicant is trying to reveal about themselves. Have your child work on the content, let it be sincere and it will work out. You can be a strong writer but still end up with a bad essay because the sentiment or idea is lacking. Conversely, the writing may not be the best, but if it really shows something off about the candidate, it can still work. (Of course always best to have both come together, but the story is probably more important)
Love your response, @wisteria100 - thank you.
@traport
Can’t remember exactly where I saw it, may have been either Conn College or JHU website where they have a link to essays that worked. There was one, where they said the writing wasn’t as polished as others, but the message was so good and they really got to know the applicant through it. He got in
JHU Posts a bunch of successful essays… Tufts does too, I think. And there are some some good books out therec that offer guidance, too… They have been mentioned in other CC threads…
MODERATOR’S NOTE: Since the OP decided to respond to a warning in an inappropriate manner, he is no longer with us. For that reason, I am closing the thread.