Are college essay writing services worth using for your applications?
I've been really struggling with my college essays lately and keep seeing ads for different essay writing services online. They promise to help with brainstorming, editing, and basically making your essay stand out to admissions officers.
Is it actually helpful to use a college essay writing service? Or do admissions officers not like it if they can tell? I want to make sure my essay is authentic and really sounds like me, but at the same time I’m worried it’s not strong enough right now.
Has anyone here tried one of these services? If so, what was your experience? Did it seem worth the money, or is it better to just ask for advice from my teachers and friends? I just don’t want to risk messing up, especially since I’m applying to some pretty competitive schools.
Is it actually helpful to use a college essay writing service? Or do admissions officers not like it if they can tell? I want to make sure my essay is authentic and really sounds like me, but at the same time I’m worried it’s not strong enough right now.
Has anyone here tried one of these services? If so, what was your experience? Did it seem worth the money, or is it better to just ask for advice from my teachers and friends? I just don’t want to risk messing up, especially since I’m applying to some pretty competitive schools.
5 months ago
•
22 views
Camille Luong
• 5 months ago
Advisor
Your concerns are really common, and it's smart of you to be thinking carefully about how to approach getting help with your essays. There are lots of essay services out there, and they range from simple editing and feedback to full-on writing essays (which you should absolutely avoid for ethics and authenticity).
Working with a reputable college essay review service, where the focus is on brainstorming ideas, helping you tell your story, and providing editorial feedback while you remain the writer, can actually be really helpful. It’s like having an experienced editor or mentor who knows what colleges are looking for and can help you polish your work without taking over your voice. What admissions officers look for is genuine reflection and insight into who you are – if your essay sounds like it's been written by someone else, admissions readers will often notice. That’s why it’s so important that you are the one telling your story.
For example, having someone read through your draft and ask guiding questions (“But what did you learn from that?” or “How did you feel in that moment?”) can push you to dig deeper. This is what a good editing service does – helps you elevate your work instead of replacing it. If a service ever offers to write your essay for you or makes you feel like your voice is getting lost, steer clear.
That said, you can also get strong feedback from teachers, school counselors, or trusted adults who know you well. Sometimes, just discussing your ideas with a friend helps spark new insights, or they remind you of stories and strengths you forgot you had.
Many students find a combination works best: professional guidance for polishing structure and content, and personal feedback for authenticity and making sure your essay sounds like you. One student I know used an essay review service for editing suggestions and also asked their favorite English teacher for a final read. It ended up being a really powerful essay because it sounded just like them – honest, specific, and memorable.
So, if you’re thinking about using an essay review service, look for one that truly respects your voice and gives you constructive, personalized feedback rather than generic or formulaic suggestions. Don’t let anyone pressure you into changing your story, and avoid services that cross ethical lines. Balance feedback from trusted adults and consider professional editing as just one tool to make your essay stronger. Good luck with your applications! If you have drafts you want feedback on, it can also be helpful to post sections or questions on forums like this for additional perspectives.
Working with a reputable college essay review service, where the focus is on brainstorming ideas, helping you tell your story, and providing editorial feedback while you remain the writer, can actually be really helpful. It’s like having an experienced editor or mentor who knows what colleges are looking for and can help you polish your work without taking over your voice. What admissions officers look for is genuine reflection and insight into who you are – if your essay sounds like it's been written by someone else, admissions readers will often notice. That’s why it’s so important that you are the one telling your story.
For example, having someone read through your draft and ask guiding questions (“But what did you learn from that?” or “How did you feel in that moment?”) can push you to dig deeper. This is what a good editing service does – helps you elevate your work instead of replacing it. If a service ever offers to write your essay for you or makes you feel like your voice is getting lost, steer clear.
That said, you can also get strong feedback from teachers, school counselors, or trusted adults who know you well. Sometimes, just discussing your ideas with a friend helps spark new insights, or they remind you of stories and strengths you forgot you had.
Many students find a combination works best: professional guidance for polishing structure and content, and personal feedback for authenticity and making sure your essay sounds like you. One student I know used an essay review service for editing suggestions and also asked their favorite English teacher for a final read. It ended up being a really powerful essay because it sounded just like them – honest, specific, and memorable.
So, if you’re thinking about using an essay review service, look for one that truly respects your voice and gives you constructive, personalized feedback rather than generic or formulaic suggestions. Don’t let anyone pressure you into changing your story, and avoid services that cross ethical lines. Balance feedback from trusted adults and consider professional editing as just one tool to make your essay stronger. Good luck with your applications! If you have drafts you want feedback on, it can also be helpful to post sections or questions on forums like this for additional perspectives.
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Camille Luong
Nomadic
Stanford University, BAH in Urban Studies
Experience
5 years
Rating
5.0 (5 reviews)