Where can I get my college essays reviewed online for free?
I'm looking for feedback on my Common App essay and maybe a couple of my supplemental essays, but I can't really afford a private counselor or paid editing services.
Is anyone aware of legit websites or forums where students can upload essays and get constructive, honest feedback for free? I’ve heard of Reddit and College Confidential, but I'm not sure how reliable those are. I’d appreciate any suggestions or personal experiences you have with free essay review options!
Trying to make my essays as strong as possible—really don’t want to miss anything important.
Is anyone aware of legit websites or forums where students can upload essays and get constructive, honest feedback for free? I’ve heard of Reddit and College Confidential, but I'm not sure how reliable those are. I’d appreciate any suggestions or personal experiences you have with free essay review options!
Trying to make my essays as strong as possible—really don’t want to miss anything important.
4 months ago
•
9 views
Camille Luong
• 4 months ago
Advisor
Absolutely, there are several free options for getting your college essays reviewed online, and many students are in a similar position when it comes to not being able to pay for private services. Here are a few places to consider:
Reddit’s r/ApplyingToCollege is one of the most active forums for essay reviews. You'll find dedicated megathreads for essay feedback, and there are also flairs you can use when making a post. While feedback quality can vary, some volunteers are very experienced—including college students and even admissions essay advisors. Just be careful to remove any personal information before posting for privacy—it's a public forum.
College Confidential does offer an essay review section, but it's a bit less active than Reddit. You might get helpful feedback, but you'll probably need to wait longer for responses, and as with any public forum, double-check whose advice you trust.
Another trustworthy place is your school—see if an English teacher, counselor, or even a librarian can read over your essays. Some schools also have writing centers or "peer writing mentors" who volunteer to help.
There are also community-based programs like ScholarMatch and College Essay Guy's free feedback service (available seasonally)—these can connect you with trained volunteers willing to review essays for free. I had a friend use ScholarMatch, and she received line-by-line edits plus big-picture feedback, all without paying a cent.
One last tip: If you know current college students—especially anyone at the schools you're applying to—many are happy to take a look at essays and share their experiences.
Whatever you choose, try to get a mix of feedback: peer perspective for relatability and adult perspective for clarity and grammar. Don't rely on just one person's suggestions. And when sharing your essay publicly, always strip out any identifying details.
Wishing you the best of luck with your applications! Getting another set of eyes is a smart move.
Reddit’s r/ApplyingToCollege is one of the most active forums for essay reviews. You'll find dedicated megathreads for essay feedback, and there are also flairs you can use when making a post. While feedback quality can vary, some volunteers are very experienced—including college students and even admissions essay advisors. Just be careful to remove any personal information before posting for privacy—it's a public forum.
College Confidential does offer an essay review section, but it's a bit less active than Reddit. You might get helpful feedback, but you'll probably need to wait longer for responses, and as with any public forum, double-check whose advice you trust.
Another trustworthy place is your school—see if an English teacher, counselor, or even a librarian can read over your essays. Some schools also have writing centers or "peer writing mentors" who volunteer to help.
There are also community-based programs like ScholarMatch and College Essay Guy's free feedback service (available seasonally)—these can connect you with trained volunteers willing to review essays for free. I had a friend use ScholarMatch, and she received line-by-line edits plus big-picture feedback, all without paying a cent.
One last tip: If you know current college students—especially anyone at the schools you're applying to—many are happy to take a look at essays and share their experiences.
Whatever you choose, try to get a mix of feedback: peer perspective for relatability and adult perspective for clarity and grammar. Don't rely on just one person's suggestions. And when sharing your essay publicly, always strip out any identifying details.
Wishing you the best of luck with your applications! Getting another set of eyes is a smart move.
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Camille Luong
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Stanford University, BAH in Urban Studies
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