Are college application essay editing services worth using?
I'm a senior and I'm pretty nervous about my college essays. I've worked on a couple drafts, but I'm worried that my writing isn't strong enough or doesn't stand out. Some people are saying it's a good idea to use professional editing services, but I'm not sure if that's necessary.
Has anyone actually used one of these services before? Did it make a significant difference in your essays or results? I'd love to hear about your experiences and whether it's worth spending the money, or if it's better to just ask teachers and friends for feedback. Trying to make the best choice as deadlines get closer!
Has anyone actually used one of these services before? Did it make a significant difference in your essays or results? I'd love to hear about your experiences and whether it's worth spending the money, or if it's better to just ask teachers and friends for feedback. Trying to make the best choice as deadlines get closer!
4 months ago
•
34 views
Camille Luong
• 4 months ago
Advisor
It’s completely normal to feel anxious about your essays, especially with deadlines coming up. Using an essay editing service can be helpful, but whether it’s worth it depends on what you’re looking for and what kind of support you already have available.
If you have trusted English teachers, counselors, or friends who are strong writers and understand college essays, you might get really valuable feedback for free. A great teacher can point out unclear sections, offer ideas for making your story more vivid, and help with grammar or flow. Some schools also offer writing labs or peer review sessions, which can help you polish your drafts.
That said, professional editing services usually offer a more thorough review. Editors who specialize in college essays can help you identify what admissions officers are looking for. They can help make your unique voice stand out, tighten your narrative, and make sure your essay answers the prompt directly. For example, a friend of mine was stuck on his personal statement about his love for robotics. After getting feedback from a service, he realized he was telling the usual 'I love engineering' story. The editor encouraged him to focus on a moment of failure during a competition and how he learned from it, which made his essay much more compelling and specific.
Another benefit is that these services can help you avoid common clichés and overused topics, pushing you to dig deeper into personal experiences that really highlight your growth or character. However, it’s important not to let anyone rewrite your essay so much that it loses your voice—admissions officers can tell when essays feel inauthentic.
If the fee for an editing service is manageable and you want to be sure your essay is as strong as possible, it can be a worthwhile investment. If cost is a concern, start with free resources and only consider a paid service if you’re not getting the targeted help you need.
Ultimately, the most important thing is making sure your essay feels like you and tells a story only you can share. Whether you use a service, ask a teacher, or lean on a friend, make sure the feedback helps you refine your essay without losing your personal touch.
If you have trusted English teachers, counselors, or friends who are strong writers and understand college essays, you might get really valuable feedback for free. A great teacher can point out unclear sections, offer ideas for making your story more vivid, and help with grammar or flow. Some schools also offer writing labs or peer review sessions, which can help you polish your drafts.
That said, professional editing services usually offer a more thorough review. Editors who specialize in college essays can help you identify what admissions officers are looking for. They can help make your unique voice stand out, tighten your narrative, and make sure your essay answers the prompt directly. For example, a friend of mine was stuck on his personal statement about his love for robotics. After getting feedback from a service, he realized he was telling the usual 'I love engineering' story. The editor encouraged him to focus on a moment of failure during a competition and how he learned from it, which made his essay much more compelling and specific.
Another benefit is that these services can help you avoid common clichés and overused topics, pushing you to dig deeper into personal experiences that really highlight your growth or character. However, it’s important not to let anyone rewrite your essay so much that it loses your voice—admissions officers can tell when essays feel inauthentic.
If the fee for an editing service is manageable and you want to be sure your essay is as strong as possible, it can be a worthwhile investment. If cost is a concern, start with free resources and only consider a paid service if you’re not getting the targeted help you need.
Ultimately, the most important thing is making sure your essay feels like you and tells a story only you can share. Whether you use a service, ask a teacher, or lean on a friend, make sure the feedback helps you refine your essay without losing your personal touch.
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Camille Luong
Nomadic
Stanford University, BAH in Urban Studies
Experience
5 years
Rating
5.0 (5 reviews)