Does using an online essay grading service actually help improve college application essays?
I've heard about a bunch of online essay grading services that claim to give feedback on college application essays. I've been struggling to know if my essay is strong enough or if the stories I'm telling are actually compelling.
For anyone who has tried using one of those online graders (like CollegeVine’s Essay Review, or even AI-powered sites), did you feel that the feedback you received was helpful and specific? Was it stuff you couldn’t get from your English teacher or friends? I’m worried because I really want my Common App essay to stand out, but I don’t want to waste time or money on something if it’s not actually effective.
Would love to hear about people’s experiences and whether these services were worth it.
For anyone who has tried using one of those online graders (like CollegeVine’s Essay Review, or even AI-powered sites), did you feel that the feedback you received was helpful and specific? Was it stuff you couldn’t get from your English teacher or friends? I’m worried because I really want my Common App essay to stand out, but I don’t want to waste time or money on something if it’s not actually effective.
Would love to hear about people’s experiences and whether these services were worth it.
5 months ago
•
29 views
Camille Luong
• 5 months ago
Advisor
Great question! Using an online essay grading service can be beneficial, but how much it helps really depends on what you hope to get from it and the quality of feedback the service provides.
Compared to feedback from English teachers or friends, online review platforms often understand what admissions officers are looking for—which is usually more than just proper grammar or compelling storytelling. They can point out whether your essay actually answers the prompt, reflects your personal qualities, and has an authentic voice. For example, when I tried a service last year, the reviewer pointed out that while my writing style was strong, my essay didn't really show growth or introspection, which I hadn’t realized. They suggested reframing a section to focus more on how a specific event changed my outlook, which made my application feel more complete.
One potential downside is that some automated (AI) graders focus more on structure, language, and mechanics, and can miss the nuance of a truly personal story. Peer or expert human reviewers, on the other hand, tend to give more tailored advice—for instance, they might suggest cutting clichés or dig deeper into details when your story feels generic. A friend of mine submitted her draft to a review service and got feedback that her essay about moving schools was too common, but the reviewer encouraged her to zoom into a particular moment when she helped a new student adjust, adding both emotion and uniqueness.
One tip: If you pursue an online grading service, look for those that offer detailed, constructive feedback beyond just assigning a score. The most helpful services will point out both strengths and specific areas for improvement, explaining why something may not work and what you might try instead.
Ultimately, if you already have access to experienced essay readers who know college admissions (like teachers who help with applications or counselors), you might get similar value from them. But if you want additional, targeted insight—especially from someone familiar with college admissions—an essay review service can give you a helpful extra perspective, as long as you choose a reputable one and use the feedback thoughtfully.
Compared to feedback from English teachers or friends, online review platforms often understand what admissions officers are looking for—which is usually more than just proper grammar or compelling storytelling. They can point out whether your essay actually answers the prompt, reflects your personal qualities, and has an authentic voice. For example, when I tried a service last year, the reviewer pointed out that while my writing style was strong, my essay didn't really show growth or introspection, which I hadn’t realized. They suggested reframing a section to focus more on how a specific event changed my outlook, which made my application feel more complete.
One potential downside is that some automated (AI) graders focus more on structure, language, and mechanics, and can miss the nuance of a truly personal story. Peer or expert human reviewers, on the other hand, tend to give more tailored advice—for instance, they might suggest cutting clichés or dig deeper into details when your story feels generic. A friend of mine submitted her draft to a review service and got feedback that her essay about moving schools was too common, but the reviewer encouraged her to zoom into a particular moment when she helped a new student adjust, adding both emotion and uniqueness.
One tip: If you pursue an online grading service, look for those that offer detailed, constructive feedback beyond just assigning a score. The most helpful services will point out both strengths and specific areas for improvement, explaining why something may not work and what you might try instead.
Ultimately, if you already have access to experienced essay readers who know college admissions (like teachers who help with applications or counselors), you might get similar value from them. But if you want additional, targeted insight—especially from someone familiar with college admissions—an essay review service can give you a helpful extra perspective, as long as you choose a reputable one and use the feedback thoughtfully.
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Camille Luong
Nomadic
Stanford University, BAH in Urban Studies
Experience
5 years
Rating
5.0 (5 reviews)