Is it worth taking a college essay class before applying?
I'm currently a rising senior and I've seen a bunch of ads and flyers for these college essay classes or workshops that are supposed to help you write your application essays. My school also offers one, but it costs extra and I'm not sure if it's necessary.
I feel pretty confident about my writing, but I also know that these essays are a big part of getting into my top choice schools. For anyone who has taken a college essay class, did you find it really helped or was it more stuff you could've gotten from online resources? Any tips on if I should invest my time and money in a class, or just try to do it myself?
I feel pretty confident about my writing, but I also know that these essays are a big part of getting into my top choice schools. For anyone who has taken a college essay class, did you find it really helped or was it more stuff you could've gotten from online resources? Any tips on if I should invest my time and money in a class, or just try to do it myself?
4 months ago
•
11 views
Camille Luong
• 4 months ago
Advisor
Whether or not a college essay class is worth it really depends on your personal learning style, your confidence in your writing abilities, and the kind of support you already have access to. Since you mentioned feeling pretty confident about your writing, you may be able to create strong essays with just a solid self-guided approach, good feedback, and some online resources.
The main benefits of a paid essay class typically include structured timelines to keep you on track, expert guidance to help you brainstorm unique topics, and feedback from experienced readers who know what admissions officers are looking for. For example, some students find value in group brainstorming sessions or specific exercises that push them to avoid cliché topics and dig deeper into their experiences. A friend of mine took a class and said the most useful part was the in-person workshopping, where his peers and instructor challenged him to rewrite a generic sports story into a much more personal, quirky essay about his family's trivia night rivalry.
On the other hand, many free resources exist online, and if you're self-motivated, you could research sample essays, review tips from admissions offices, and find guides that help you brainstorm. Many students also ask English teachers or mentors to review drafts. If your school offers good writing support, you might be able to get quality feedback without paying extra. One tip is to identify what parts of the process you'd need the most help with: If you're prone to procrastination or struggle with idea generation, the accountability of a class could help. But if you just want some editing and polish, you might skip the class and seek targeted feedback instead.
If you do decide to invest in a class, check to see if the curriculum will genuinely push you beyond surface-level improvements. Make sure it offers substantial feedback, not just grammar checks. Alternatively, maybe attend a free or low-cost school workshop or webinar first; some students find just a session or two helps them get started before diving in solo.
In short, a class isn't a must for everyone, especially if you write well and can seek out additional feedback. The most important thing is having trusted readers, dedicating time for drafting and revision, and making sure your essay reflects your authentic voice and unique perspective.
The main benefits of a paid essay class typically include structured timelines to keep you on track, expert guidance to help you brainstorm unique topics, and feedback from experienced readers who know what admissions officers are looking for. For example, some students find value in group brainstorming sessions or specific exercises that push them to avoid cliché topics and dig deeper into their experiences. A friend of mine took a class and said the most useful part was the in-person workshopping, where his peers and instructor challenged him to rewrite a generic sports story into a much more personal, quirky essay about his family's trivia night rivalry.
On the other hand, many free resources exist online, and if you're self-motivated, you could research sample essays, review tips from admissions offices, and find guides that help you brainstorm. Many students also ask English teachers or mentors to review drafts. If your school offers good writing support, you might be able to get quality feedback without paying extra. One tip is to identify what parts of the process you'd need the most help with: If you're prone to procrastination or struggle with idea generation, the accountability of a class could help. But if you just want some editing and polish, you might skip the class and seek targeted feedback instead.
If you do decide to invest in a class, check to see if the curriculum will genuinely push you beyond surface-level improvements. Make sure it offers substantial feedback, not just grammar checks. Alternatively, maybe attend a free or low-cost school workshop or webinar first; some students find just a session or two helps them get started before diving in solo.
In short, a class isn't a must for everyone, especially if you write well and can seek out additional feedback. The most important thing is having trusted readers, dedicating time for drafting and revision, and making sure your essay reflects your authentic voice and unique perspective.
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Camille Luong
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Stanford University, BAH in Urban Studies
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5 years
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5.0 (5 reviews)