Does anyone know of free resources or tools that can help me write my college essay?
I'm a senior in high school trying to get started on my college essays, but I'm really struggling with where to begin. I keep seeing ads for paid editing services or people offering to write essays, but I can’t afford any of that.
Are there any legit websites, programs, or even apps that will help guide me through writing my essays for free? I want to make sure I’m doing something original and not just using a bot or whatever, but just reading tips online isn’t cutting it for me.
Any advice or recommendations from people who have used free resources would really help a lot. Also, if your school or local library had anything useful, I’d love to know about it!
Are there any legit websites, programs, or even apps that will help guide me through writing my essays for free? I want to make sure I’m doing something original and not just using a bot or whatever, but just reading tips online isn’t cutting it for me.
Any advice or recommendations from people who have used free resources would really help a lot. Also, if your school or local library had anything useful, I’d love to know about it!
5 months ago
•
12 views
Camille Luong
• 5 months ago
Advisor
Absolutely, there are several free and trustworthy resources you can use to improve your college essays without paying for editing services.
1. School Counselors and Teachers: Many high schools offer free essay help through your college counselor, English teachers, or writing centers. Sometimes, they'll host workshops or have open office hours. My school had an after-school college essay club where we gave each other feedback—worth checking if yours does, too!
2. Local Libraries: Libraries sometimes hold free college essay workshops or host visiting advisors during admissions season. They may also have books (like "College Essay Essentials" by Ethan Sawyer or "On Writing the College Application Essay" by Harry Bauld) available for checkout that break down the process step by step.
3. Online Resources:
- Khan Academy (https://www.khanacademy.org/college-careers-more/college-admissions/applying-to-college): Their college admissions section has video guides on brainstorming and reviewing essays.
- Purdue OWL (https://owl.purdue.edu/): This resource covers general writing techniques, grammar, and flow, which can really help polish your drafts.
4. Peer Feedback: If you feel comfortable, ask a friend, upperclassman, or sibling to read your draft for clarity and originality. They don’t need to be experts—fresh eyes catch issues you might miss.
5. Writing Apps: While standard grammar checkers like Grammarly can catch typos, try Hemingway Editor (https://hemingwayapp.com/) for free. It highlights wordiness or confusing sentences, which is super helpful for college essays.
If you’re finding it tough to get inspired, try the "values exercise" on College Essay Guy’s website. It helps you dig into what matters most to you, so your essay is reflective and unique. For example, it might guide you to a story about the time you helped your cousin repair bikes—making for a more original essay than just saying you work hard.
Remember: most colleges just want to hear your real voice, and these resources will help you get there without spending a dime. Good luck—you’ve got this!
1. School Counselors and Teachers: Many high schools offer free essay help through your college counselor, English teachers, or writing centers. Sometimes, they'll host workshops or have open office hours. My school had an after-school college essay club where we gave each other feedback—worth checking if yours does, too!
2. Local Libraries: Libraries sometimes hold free college essay workshops or host visiting advisors during admissions season. They may also have books (like "College Essay Essentials" by Ethan Sawyer or "On Writing the College Application Essay" by Harry Bauld) available for checkout that break down the process step by step.
3. Online Resources:
- Khan Academy (https://www.khanacademy.org/college-careers-more/college-admissions/applying-to-college): Their college admissions section has video guides on brainstorming and reviewing essays.
- Purdue OWL (https://owl.purdue.edu/): This resource covers general writing techniques, grammar, and flow, which can really help polish your drafts.
4. Peer Feedback: If you feel comfortable, ask a friend, upperclassman, or sibling to read your draft for clarity and originality. They don’t need to be experts—fresh eyes catch issues you might miss.
5. Writing Apps: While standard grammar checkers like Grammarly can catch typos, try Hemingway Editor (https://hemingwayapp.com/) for free. It highlights wordiness or confusing sentences, which is super helpful for college essays.
If you’re finding it tough to get inspired, try the "values exercise" on College Essay Guy’s website. It helps you dig into what matters most to you, so your essay is reflective and unique. For example, it might guide you to a story about the time you helped your cousin repair bikes—making for a more original essay than just saying you work hard.
Remember: most colleges just want to hear your real voice, and these resources will help you get there without spending a dime. Good luck—you’ve got this!
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Camille Luong
Nomadic
Stanford University, BAH in Urban Studies
Experience
5 years
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5.0 (5 reviews)