Should I hire a professional college essay writer?
I've been reading a lot online about different approaches to college essays, and some people recommend hiring a professional essay writer. My English teacher says it can be helpful just to have an outside editor, but some of my friends have actually paid someone to write the whole thing, and their essays sound so polished.
I really want my application to stand out, but I also want it to be authentic. Is this something that admissions officers care about or can tell? Has anyone used a service like this, and did it help or hurt your chances? I'm feeling a little overwhelmed by the whole process and just want to do the right thing.
I really want my application to stand out, but I also want it to be authentic. Is this something that admissions officers care about or can tell? Has anyone used a service like this, and did it help or hurt your chances? I'm feeling a little overwhelmed by the whole process and just want to do the right thing.
4 months ago
•
16 views
Camille Luong
• 4 months ago
Advisor
It's great that you're thinking so carefully about authenticity and fairness in your college application process. College admissions officers absolutely care about authenticity—they read thousands of essays every year and are highly attuned to spotting essays that don't sound like a real student's voice. Even the most polished essay can actually do more harm than good if it doesn't feel genuine or if it strays too far from your personal experiences and writing style.
There's a difference between getting support and having someone else do the work. It's totally okay (and often recommended) to have others—like a teacher, counselor, or essay review advisor—give you feedback or help you brainstorm. This can help you clarify your ideas, polish your writing, and make sure you’re expressing yourself in the best way possible.
Having someone actually write your essay for you is a different story. Admissions officers want to know who YOU are. If your essay isn't in your own words, it can come across as inauthentic and even lead to serious consequences if a school believes you misrepresented yourself. Colleges sometimes use software to detect plagiarism or writing that’s inconsistent with the rest of your application.
For example, if your transcript and teacher recommendations reflect your writing abilities and voice, but your essay sounds like it was written by a professional with years of experience, that may raise red flags. One student I worked with wrote about their passion for baking, but when the draft started to sound more like a food critic’s article than a high schooler’s personal story, we dialed it back and made sure their unique personality was at the center.
Instead of hiring someone to write the whole essay for you, consider looking for feedback-focused support—a good editor can help you refine your ideas and writing while keeping your voice and story intact. The strongest essays reflect self-awareness, honesty, and thoughtful storytelling. If you feel stuck or overwhelmed, brainstorming with an advisor or trusted adult can help you get started and ensure your application still feels like it truly represents you.
You've already taken an important first step by questioning this process. Stick to your instincts about wanting your application to be honest, and you’ll be on the right path!
There's a difference between getting support and having someone else do the work. It's totally okay (and often recommended) to have others—like a teacher, counselor, or essay review advisor—give you feedback or help you brainstorm. This can help you clarify your ideas, polish your writing, and make sure you’re expressing yourself in the best way possible.
Having someone actually write your essay for you is a different story. Admissions officers want to know who YOU are. If your essay isn't in your own words, it can come across as inauthentic and even lead to serious consequences if a school believes you misrepresented yourself. Colleges sometimes use software to detect plagiarism or writing that’s inconsistent with the rest of your application.
For example, if your transcript and teacher recommendations reflect your writing abilities and voice, but your essay sounds like it was written by a professional with years of experience, that may raise red flags. One student I worked with wrote about their passion for baking, but when the draft started to sound more like a food critic’s article than a high schooler’s personal story, we dialed it back and made sure their unique personality was at the center.
Instead of hiring someone to write the whole essay for you, consider looking for feedback-focused support—a good editor can help you refine your ideas and writing while keeping your voice and story intact. The strongest essays reflect self-awareness, honesty, and thoughtful storytelling. If you feel stuck or overwhelmed, brainstorming with an advisor or trusted adult can help you get started and ensure your application still feels like it truly represents you.
You've already taken an important first step by questioning this process. Stick to your instincts about wanting your application to be honest, and you’ll be on the right path!
Related Questions
Students also ask…
Camille Luong
Nomadic
Stanford University, BAH in Urban Studies
Experience
5 years
Rating
5.0 (5 reviews)