Is College Essay Guy's essay review service worth it?
I'm feeling pretty overwhelmed trying to finalize my Common App essay. I've been rewriting it over and over, but I'm not sure if I’m actually making it better or just making random changes. I came across College Essay Guy, and it looks like he offers some kind of essay review or editing service.
Has anyone here tried it before? Do you think it actually made a big difference in your essay? I'm trying to decide if this is something I should spend my money on or if it’s better to just ask my English teacher or friends (but none of them have gone through this process recently). Just looking for some honest feedback or experiences before I hit ‘buy’ on this. Also, would it work for supplemental essays too?
Thanks for any insights!
Has anyone here tried it before? Do you think it actually made a big difference in your essay? I'm trying to decide if this is something I should spend my money on or if it’s better to just ask my English teacher or friends (but none of them have gone through this process recently). Just looking for some honest feedback or experiences before I hit ‘buy’ on this. Also, would it work for supplemental essays too?
Thanks for any insights!
4 months ago
•
40 views
Camille Luong
• 4 months ago
Advisor
Feeling stuck and uncertain about your progress is a really common part of the college essay process. When it comes to College Essay Guy's essay review services, many students have found them helpful, especially if you're looking for professional-level editorial feedback and aren't sure if your current drafts are as strong as they could be.
College Essay Guy, led by Ethan Sawyer, is known for offering very detailed and actionable feedback. The service typically goes beyond just pointing out grammar and clarity issues; reviewers often offer suggestions on structure, topic selection, and overall storytelling. This can be valuable if you're at the point where you're worried your essay is rambling, cliché, or not capturing your personality. Students who have used the review service often say the comments are thorough (sometimes even a little blunt), but that they helped pinpoint what made their stories unique and what needed to be cut or expanded.
That said, the service can be pricey, especially if you want multiple rounds of feedback or want help with supplemental essays, which is a factor to consider if you're on a budget. For example, a student might submit a Common App draft on overcoming shyness in debate club and get suggestions to shift focus from a generic transformation story to one unique, vivid experience—like the tension and self-doubt before a tournament, and the specific moment a judge gave unexpected positive feedback. That kind of granular advice is hard to get from friends or teachers who don’t have experience with college essays specifically.
If you don't have teachers or mentors with firsthand college admissions experience, investing in a professional review can give you peace of mind and confidence going into application season. It can also help for supplementals, though you'd want to check if the service package covers multiple essays or just the personal statement. As an alternative, consider whether you can get a trusted adult, counselor, or even a current college student to give feedback first—sometimes a fresh set of eyes is all you need for the next breakthrough. But if you're really looking for a reviewer who understands the nuances of what admissions officers want, a service like College Essay Guy can make a difference, as long as it fits your budget and needs.
No matter what, make sure any reviewer helps YOUR story shine and doesn't turn your essay into something generic. The most compelling essays sound authentic, so seek feedback that supports your unique voice.
College Essay Guy, led by Ethan Sawyer, is known for offering very detailed and actionable feedback. The service typically goes beyond just pointing out grammar and clarity issues; reviewers often offer suggestions on structure, topic selection, and overall storytelling. This can be valuable if you're at the point where you're worried your essay is rambling, cliché, or not capturing your personality. Students who have used the review service often say the comments are thorough (sometimes even a little blunt), but that they helped pinpoint what made their stories unique and what needed to be cut or expanded.
That said, the service can be pricey, especially if you want multiple rounds of feedback or want help with supplemental essays, which is a factor to consider if you're on a budget. For example, a student might submit a Common App draft on overcoming shyness in debate club and get suggestions to shift focus from a generic transformation story to one unique, vivid experience—like the tension and self-doubt before a tournament, and the specific moment a judge gave unexpected positive feedback. That kind of granular advice is hard to get from friends or teachers who don’t have experience with college essays specifically.
If you don't have teachers or mentors with firsthand college admissions experience, investing in a professional review can give you peace of mind and confidence going into application season. It can also help for supplementals, though you'd want to check if the service package covers multiple essays or just the personal statement. As an alternative, consider whether you can get a trusted adult, counselor, or even a current college student to give feedback first—sometimes a fresh set of eyes is all you need for the next breakthrough. But if you're really looking for a reviewer who understands the nuances of what admissions officers want, a service like College Essay Guy can make a difference, as long as it fits your budget and needs.
No matter what, make sure any reviewer helps YOUR story shine and doesn't turn your essay into something generic. The most compelling essays sound authentic, so seek feedback that supports your unique voice.
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Camille Luong
Nomadic
Stanford University, BAH in Urban Studies
Experience
5 years
Rating
5.0 (5 reviews)