Where can I find free feedback for my college essays?
I'm starting to finalize my personal statement and could really use another set of eyes. I don't have access to a school counselor who has much experience with essays, and my parents aren't sure what colleges want to see.
Are there any reliable places online where I can get honest, free feedback on my college essays? I'm a little nervous about sharing my writing, but I want to make sure my story stands out and doesn't have errors. Any recommendations or advice on places you've used would be great.
Are there any reliable places online where I can get honest, free feedback on my college essays? I'm a little nervous about sharing my writing, but I want to make sure my story stands out and doesn't have errors. Any recommendations or advice on places you've used would be great.
5 months ago
•
96 views
Camille Luong
• 5 months ago
Advisor
There are a few solid options online where you can find free feedback on your college essays, even if you don't have access to an experienced counselor. A popular starting place is Reddit, specifically the r/ApplyingToCollege subreddit. They have weekly essay review threads where you can share your essay and get comments from other applicants, students, or sometimes even college graduates. If you post, just be sure to remove any identifying details for privacy.
Some local libraries or community centers also offer free essay review sessions, especially during college application season. These might be in-person or virtual. It's worth checking their calendar or asking a librarian.
If you're looking for peer-to-peer feedback, some students set up Google Doc sharing with trusted classmates or reach out to recent graduates from their high school who went through the process recently. Even though these readers may not be admission experts, they can help spot unclear sections or grammar mistakes and let you know what parts are interesting or confusing from a reader's perspective.
Another helpful avenue is online writing forums, such as College Confidential's essay review threads. Just like Reddit, always remember to take feedback with a grain of salt, and protect your privacy by removing your name or any personal details.
For example, I helped a friend who posted her draft on r/ApplyingToCollege, and within a few hours, she had several detailed suggestions and encouragement from people who'd already been accepted to competitive colleges.
If you're nervous about sharing your writing, consider first asking readers just to comment on clarity, grammar, and flow, without focusing on the specific story or content. That way, you can build confidence before seeking bigger-picture advice.
It’s great that you want feedback – a few different readers can really help you see your essay from a fresh angle and catch any errors that might slip by. Good luck polishing your story!
Some local libraries or community centers also offer free essay review sessions, especially during college application season. These might be in-person or virtual. It's worth checking their calendar or asking a librarian.
If you're looking for peer-to-peer feedback, some students set up Google Doc sharing with trusted classmates or reach out to recent graduates from their high school who went through the process recently. Even though these readers may not be admission experts, they can help spot unclear sections or grammar mistakes and let you know what parts are interesting or confusing from a reader's perspective.
Another helpful avenue is online writing forums, such as College Confidential's essay review threads. Just like Reddit, always remember to take feedback with a grain of salt, and protect your privacy by removing your name or any personal details.
For example, I helped a friend who posted her draft on r/ApplyingToCollege, and within a few hours, she had several detailed suggestions and encouragement from people who'd already been accepted to competitive colleges.
If you're nervous about sharing your writing, consider first asking readers just to comment on clarity, grammar, and flow, without focusing on the specific story or content. That way, you can build confidence before seeking bigger-picture advice.
It’s great that you want feedback – a few different readers can really help you see your essay from a fresh angle and catch any errors that might slip by. Good luck polishing your story!
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Camille Luong
Nomadic
Stanford University, BAH in Urban Studies
Experience
5 years
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5.0 (5 reviews)