Can someone review my college essays or share how to find good feedback?

It’s totally normal to feel overwhelmed when starting your college essays—these essays are a big deal, and getting real, helpful feedback makes a huge difference! Since not everyone has access to personal mentors or counselors, let’s look at some effective ways you can get high-quality, trustworthy feedback on your drafts.

First, consider reaching out to teachers you trust, even if they seem busy. Sometimes, English teachers, guidance counselors, or librarians are willing to look at drafts if you give them enough time. Even if they can’t do in-depth reads, they might offer quick thoughts or point you to other resources.

For online help, student-focused forums can be really helpful. Look for communities where current college students and recent applicants hang out—Reddit’s r/ApplyingToCollege or College Confidential both have active essay feedback threads. When posting your essay, make sure you remove personal info. To minimize risk, only post snippets or ask for advice on your topic and structure, rather than sharing your full essay in the public space.

Paid services are another route—some well-known tutoring or essay review services offer personalized feedback from professionals or current college students. If you go this route, check for reviews, ask who will be reviewing your essay (some platforms let you pick your reviewer), and verify their policies on privacy and plagiarism.

Your concern about plagiarism is smart. To protect your work, avoid random online offers from strangers and don’t use generic essay submission websites that don’t have clear privacy policies. If you use a student forum, be mindful of how much you share. Many students share essays in Google Docs and only give access to specific, trusted reviewers by email, which helps control who can view and copy your work.

A good approach is to get feedback from multiple sources. A friend who’s strong in writing, a former teacher, or a responsible upperclassman can offer different perspectives. For example, one student I know had an older cousin (who’d already been through the process) give specific, practical tips, while a teacher focused on grammar and style.

If you’re looking for more structured feedback, sign up with a reputable essay review platform designed for applicants. These platforms are built to keep your essay safe, give timely feedback, and connect you with experienced reviewers.

Make a checklist for each draft: does your essay show your authentic voice? Is it focused on a unique experience or perspective? Does it answer the prompt directly? Share your work with people you trust, incorporate the useful feedback, and try to keep revising—you’ll see your essay improve with each pass!

You’ve got the right attitude in seeking early and responsible feedback. With a bit of effort, you’ll find reviewers who can genuinely help you bring out your best.