<p>My son just got in ED to a top LAC. He pretty much refused all offers of help and insisted that not just the essay, but the whole application, had to be in “his voice.” This was our second time through the process, and my older child allowed us to proofread the essays (with a great outcome). Younger child is a fantastic kid, but very stubborn, self-assured, and independent. I was nervous about his application because it could have been more polished, refined, etc. Fortunately he was admitted to his first choice school and was very pleased to see the WSJ article! I think there’s truth to the idea that top schools have far more highly qualified applicants than they can accept. Maybe my son wouldn’t have impressed anyone if he had turned in a highly polished, perfect application. Instead, he felt comfortable just being himself and knowing that, whether or not he got in, it would be due to his own efforts.</p>