Is college essay coaching worth it and what should I look for in a coach?
I've been hearing a lot about hiring essay coaches and honestly I'm not sure if it's something I actually need. My school offers some help, but it's just with one English teacher and there's not a lot of time to get feedback. I know people have had really different experiences, sometimes saying a coach helped a lot with brainstorming or organizing but others saying it made their essays sound too rehearsed.
Is the investment worth it, especially if I'm aiming for selective schools? Also, for those who have used coaching, what qualities or credentials should I look for in a coach? I want my essay to still sound like me and not just be what someone else thinks admissions wants. Would love to know if having a coach really gave your essay a boost or if it was just extra stress and expense. (For context, I'm about to start senior year and feeling the pressure with deadlines approaching.)
Is the investment worth it, especially if I'm aiming for selective schools? Also, for those who have used coaching, what qualities or credentials should I look for in a coach? I want my essay to still sound like me and not just be what someone else thinks admissions wants. Would love to know if having a coach really gave your essay a boost or if it was just extra stress and expense. (For context, I'm about to start senior year and feeling the pressure with deadlines approaching.)
6 months ago
•
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Roger Lopez
• 6 months ago
Advisor
Whether college essay coaching is worth it really depends on your personal needs, your writing confidence, and your particular college goals. Since your school offers only limited support, having a coach can be especially helpful if you want more individualized guidance or struggle with brainstorming and organizing your narrative.
A good coach can help clarify your ideas, push you to dig deeper into your stories, and structure your essay so your best qualities shine—while still keeping your authentic voice front and center.
However, it's true that a bad or mismatched coach can over-edit or prescribe essay topics, making your writing sound generic or unnatural. If you do pursue coaching, look for someone who:
- Focuses on helping you find your own story, not just plugging your life into a template.
- Gives feedback in a way that encourages revision, but doesn’t rewrite sections for you.
- Asks a lot of questions about your values and goals, and shows an interest in really getting to know you.
- Has experience, either through past students’ results, admissions backgrounds, or strong editing skills. Certification isn’t everything, but familiarity with college admissions can be a plus.
It may also be worth checking a few sample edits or reviews before committing. Ask how the coach works: Do they send notes, talk things out, or just send corrections? Make sure you’ll still feel ownership of your essay by the end of the process.
Overall, for very selective schools, coaching can offer an edge if you’re worried your essay won’t stand out or you need help getting started. For some, it gives confidence and structure; for others, especially strong, independent writers, it might not be necessary. Think about your budget and what level of support would actually help.
If you’re feeling the deadline pressure, even one or two targeted sessions for brainstorming and final feedback can be valuable. Just be sure your final draft still sounds and feels like you—not like someone else’s idea of you. Keeping authenticity is key.
A good coach can help clarify your ideas, push you to dig deeper into your stories, and structure your essay so your best qualities shine—while still keeping your authentic voice front and center.
However, it's true that a bad or mismatched coach can over-edit or prescribe essay topics, making your writing sound generic or unnatural. If you do pursue coaching, look for someone who:
- Focuses on helping you find your own story, not just plugging your life into a template.
- Gives feedback in a way that encourages revision, but doesn’t rewrite sections for you.
- Asks a lot of questions about your values and goals, and shows an interest in really getting to know you.
- Has experience, either through past students’ results, admissions backgrounds, or strong editing skills. Certification isn’t everything, but familiarity with college admissions can be a plus.
It may also be worth checking a few sample edits or reviews before committing. Ask how the coach works: Do they send notes, talk things out, or just send corrections? Make sure you’ll still feel ownership of your essay by the end of the process.
Overall, for very selective schools, coaching can offer an edge if you’re worried your essay won’t stand out or you need help getting started. For some, it gives confidence and structure; for others, especially strong, independent writers, it might not be necessary. Think about your budget and what level of support would actually help.
If you’re feeling the deadline pressure, even one or two targeted sessions for brainstorming and final feedback can be valuable. Just be sure your final draft still sounds and feels like you—not like someone else’s idea of you. Keeping authenticity is key.
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Roger Lopez
Chicago, Illinois
Yale University BA, Political Science | Northwestern Kellogg School of Management, MBA Candidate |
Experience
4 years