Is College Essay Guy worth using for my personal statement?
I've been hearing a lot about College Essay Guy and his resources. I'm a rising senior and feeling a bit overwhelmed by the thought of writing my college essays. Some of my friends say his advice and worksheets really helped clarify their topics, but others thought it was kind of generic.
Has anyone here actually worked through his free or paid materials? Did it help you find your essay idea or make editing easier? I'm just trying to figure out if it's worth investing time (or money) when there are so many options out there. Would love to hear honest feedback or personal stories about using College Essay Guy, especially for people who aren't 'natural' writers.
Has anyone here actually worked through his free or paid materials? Did it help you find your essay idea or make editing easier? I'm just trying to figure out if it's worth investing time (or money) when there are so many options out there. Would love to hear honest feedback or personal stories about using College Essay Guy, especially for people who aren't 'natural' writers.
7 months ago
•
207 views
Lydia Schooler
• 7 months ago
Advisor
College Essay Guy is definitely a popular name when it comes to college essay guidance, and plenty of students find his resources helpful for brainstorming and structuring their personal statements. His free materials, like the 'Values Exercise' and 'Essence Objects Exercise,' can be useful for sparking ideas, especially if you feel stuck at the start. These worksheets help you reflect and draw out details about your life that might not seem significant at first, but can actually turn into unique essay angles.
If you’re not a "natural" writer, his step-by-step approach might feel less overwhelming than just facing a blank page. I know several students who followed his outline and ended up with a solid draft because the process broke things down into simpler tasks: first brainstorming, then outlining, then drafting bit by bit. For someone who needs structure and practical tips rather than abstract inspiration, College Essay Guy’s method can be a relief.
On the flip side, some people do find the materials a bit generic if you just skim the worksheets or rush through the content. The advice is broad since it’s meant for a wide audience, so it sometimes doesn't get as specific as a one-on-one coach might. But if you focus on the exercises and really dig deep with your answers, there's a good chance you’ll come up with something original. For example, one past student I know wrote a powerful essay about her love of gardening after doing the 'Essence Objects' exercise, connecting it to memories with her grandfather and building a narrative around growth and patience—not a typical essay topic, and it worked out really well.
When it comes to the paid workshops, the main difference is more feedback and personalized interaction, which can be valuable if you want guided support. I would suggest starting with the free resources before committing to anything paid. Test a couple exercises and see how well they work for you. If you’re still struggling or need tailored advice, then investing in a paid critique or coaching session might be worthwhile.
Overall, College Essay Guy is worth exploring, especially if you feel lost or want a clear process to follow. Just remember to put in the work to make the generic advice personal to your own story—that’s where you’ll get the most out of it.
If you’re not a "natural" writer, his step-by-step approach might feel less overwhelming than just facing a blank page. I know several students who followed his outline and ended up with a solid draft because the process broke things down into simpler tasks: first brainstorming, then outlining, then drafting bit by bit. For someone who needs structure and practical tips rather than abstract inspiration, College Essay Guy’s method can be a relief.
On the flip side, some people do find the materials a bit generic if you just skim the worksheets or rush through the content. The advice is broad since it’s meant for a wide audience, so it sometimes doesn't get as specific as a one-on-one coach might. But if you focus on the exercises and really dig deep with your answers, there's a good chance you’ll come up with something original. For example, one past student I know wrote a powerful essay about her love of gardening after doing the 'Essence Objects' exercise, connecting it to memories with her grandfather and building a narrative around growth and patience—not a typical essay topic, and it worked out really well.
When it comes to the paid workshops, the main difference is more feedback and personalized interaction, which can be valuable if you want guided support. I would suggest starting with the free resources before committing to anything paid. Test a couple exercises and see how well they work for you. If you’re still struggling or need tailored advice, then investing in a paid critique or coaching session might be worthwhile.
Overall, College Essay Guy is worth exploring, especially if you feel lost or want a clear process to follow. Just remember to put in the work to make the generic advice personal to your own story—that’s where you’ll get the most out of it.
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