Can someone rate my college essay and offer feedback?
I'm in the middle of applying to a few selective colleges and I've honestly rewritten my main personal statement like five times. I just don't know if it's actually good or if I'm missing the mark.
I've tried to show my personality and growth, but I keep second guessing if the story is unique or compelling enough. Has anyone been able to get some honest feedback from people who really understand what colleges want?
Are there any trusted places where I can share my essay and get rated, or should I just ask my teachers? I'm worried my school counselor isn't familiar with recent admissions trends, so I'm feeling a little lost here.
I've tried to show my personality and growth, but I keep second guessing if the story is unique or compelling enough. Has anyone been able to get some honest feedback from people who really understand what colleges want?
Are there any trusted places where I can share my essay and get rated, or should I just ask my teachers? I'm worried my school counselor isn't familiar with recent admissions trends, so I'm feeling a little lost here.
8 months ago
•
71 views
Lydia Schooler
• 8 months ago
Advisor
It's totally normal to second guess your personal statement, especially when applying to competitive schools. Many students go through several drafts before landing on an essay that feels right. The key is making sure your essay is authentic to you, highlights personal growth, and shares a story that couldn't be written by anyone else.
Asking teachers can be helpful, particularly if you have an English teacher or someone who knows you well. However, teachers and school counselors sometimes focus more on grammar or structure than on what makes a story compelling to admissions officers. Their ideas about "what colleges want" may also be out of date, especially if they haven't worked closely with students applying to selective schools recently.
To get honest and constructive feedback, it's ideal to seek out people who have experience with college applications—like recent admits, professional essay reviewers, or current college students. Forums dedicated to college applications often have communities where you can share essays for feedback, but always make sure to remove any identifying information. You can also look for virtual essay review services that specialize in college admissions and provide personalized critiques on both content and style, not just grammar.
When sharing your essay, make it clear what kind of feedback you want: Are you more concerned about the story being original? Do you want notes on clarity and flow? Or are you looking for someone to point out clichés and overused topics?
For example, one student wrote about their experience working at a local bakery. Rather than focusing only on the job itself, they wrote about the specific moment when a regular customer opened up about their own struggles, and how that interaction changed the student's outlook. That made the essay unique and specific, rather than generic.
Try to have a mix of readers: someone who understands admissions, a trusted adult for general impressions, and possibly a peer for tone and relatability. If you stay open to feedback and keep refining the story, you'll know when your essay finally feels like you. Remember, it's not just about impressing colleges—it's about sharing who you are.
Asking teachers can be helpful, particularly if you have an English teacher or someone who knows you well. However, teachers and school counselors sometimes focus more on grammar or structure than on what makes a story compelling to admissions officers. Their ideas about "what colleges want" may also be out of date, especially if they haven't worked closely with students applying to selective schools recently.
To get honest and constructive feedback, it's ideal to seek out people who have experience with college applications—like recent admits, professional essay reviewers, or current college students. Forums dedicated to college applications often have communities where you can share essays for feedback, but always make sure to remove any identifying information. You can also look for virtual essay review services that specialize in college admissions and provide personalized critiques on both content and style, not just grammar.
When sharing your essay, make it clear what kind of feedback you want: Are you more concerned about the story being original? Do you want notes on clarity and flow? Or are you looking for someone to point out clichés and overused topics?
For example, one student wrote about their experience working at a local bakery. Rather than focusing only on the job itself, they wrote about the specific moment when a regular customer opened up about their own struggles, and how that interaction changed the student's outlook. That made the essay unique and specific, rather than generic.
Try to have a mix of readers: someone who understands admissions, a trusted adult for general impressions, and possibly a peer for tone and relatability. If you stay open to feedback and keep refining the story, you'll know when your essay finally feels like you. Remember, it's not just about impressing colleges—it's about sharing who you are.
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