What are the best ways to get free help editing my college essays?
I've been working hard on my college essays but I'm not sure if they're as strong as they can be. My school counselor is really busy and can't look at them in depth.
Does anyone have suggestions for places (online or otherwise) where I can get my essays edited for free? I'm especially interested in resources that give detailed feedback, not just grammar.
If you've used any of these services, I'd love to hear if they helped, or if there are any I should avoid. This process is super overwhelming so I appreciate any advice!
Does anyone have suggestions for places (online or otherwise) where I can get my essays edited for free? I'm especially interested in resources that give detailed feedback, not just grammar.
If you've used any of these services, I'd love to hear if they helped, or if there are any I should avoid. This process is super overwhelming so I appreciate any advice!
4 months ago
•
16 views
Camille Luong
• 4 months ago
Advisor
Totally understandable to want more feedback on your essays! There are actually several ways to get detailed, free help, even if your counselor is swamped.
First, check if your school has a peer writing center or an English teacher who’d review your essays—in many schools, teachers will give feedback during office hours if you ask. Sometimes older students who have already been through the process are incredibly helpful (especially if they've been admitted to colleges you're targeting). You could reach out to recent alumni and politely ask if they’d be willing to offer thoughts.
Online, there are a few routes. Subreddits like r/ApplyingToCollege have weekly essay review megathreads. People post essays and receive detailed peer feedback, often including structure, clarity, and content—just be sure to remove any personal information. College essay Discord servers can also pair you with students for essay swaps, and the mutual critique format is helpful.
Some local libraries or community centers also host college essay workshops for free, especially in the fall. These can bring together students and sometimes local writing coaches or college students. It's worth checking library event calendars or contacting staff.
If possible, share your essays with teachers from other subjects or mentors outside of school—sometimes someone who doesn’t know you closely can help you clarify your message and spot clichés. Even asking a family member or friend to read your essay and then describe what they learned about you from it can point out where your theme isn't landing.
A quick example: One student I know posted a draft to a subreddit after struggling with organization. The feedback helped them cut out repetitive details, clarify their central idea, and strengthen their opening, which they said made a huge difference in their confidence.
It’s wise to avoid any service or website that seems sketchy or asks for payment after a "free trial." If you’re submitting essays for public feedback, always remove identifying info.
Good luck on your applications! Seeking out feedback is a smart step, and getting a couple of outside perspectives can really push your writing to the next level.
First, check if your school has a peer writing center or an English teacher who’d review your essays—in many schools, teachers will give feedback during office hours if you ask. Sometimes older students who have already been through the process are incredibly helpful (especially if they've been admitted to colleges you're targeting). You could reach out to recent alumni and politely ask if they’d be willing to offer thoughts.
Online, there are a few routes. Subreddits like r/ApplyingToCollege have weekly essay review megathreads. People post essays and receive detailed peer feedback, often including structure, clarity, and content—just be sure to remove any personal information. College essay Discord servers can also pair you with students for essay swaps, and the mutual critique format is helpful.
Some local libraries or community centers also host college essay workshops for free, especially in the fall. These can bring together students and sometimes local writing coaches or college students. It's worth checking library event calendars or contacting staff.
If possible, share your essays with teachers from other subjects or mentors outside of school—sometimes someone who doesn’t know you closely can help you clarify your message and spot clichés. Even asking a family member or friend to read your essay and then describe what they learned about you from it can point out where your theme isn't landing.
A quick example: One student I know posted a draft to a subreddit after struggling with organization. The feedback helped them cut out repetitive details, clarify their central idea, and strengthen their opening, which they said made a huge difference in their confidence.
It’s wise to avoid any service or website that seems sketchy or asks for payment after a "free trial." If you’re submitting essays for public feedback, always remove identifying info.
Good luck on your applications! Seeking out feedback is a smart step, and getting a couple of outside perspectives can really push your writing to the next level.
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Camille Luong
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Stanford University, BAH in Urban Studies
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