There are many options for who can help write your college essay if you feel like you need assistance. Your college essay is one of the most important parts of your application, so it’s understandable to want help from professionals who are experienced in this type of writing. Here are some of the top choices for who can write my college essay, along with important factors to consider with each option:
Professional Writing Services
One option is to hire a professional essay writing service. There are many writing services available both locally and online that employ writers specifically trained to help students with their admissions essays. Professional services have the advantage of employing writers who do this type of work full-time, so they have honed their skills at crafting compelling college application stories. There are also a few downsides to using a professional service.
The biggest concern that many experts raise is authenticity. Even the best professional writers may have difficulty capturing your unique voice and perspective when writing on your behalf. Admissions officers have noted they can often tell when an essay was written by someone other than the applicant. Using a service also eliminates the learning experience of going through the self-reflection process of crafting your own essay. You also have less control over the end product compared to writing it yourself.
It’s also important to thoroughly research any service before committing to ensure they have a strong track record and employ experienced writers who specialize in college admissions work. Prices can range widely depending on the service, from a few hundred dollars up to over $1,000 for more extensive packages. Be sure to check reviews from real customers as well to get a sense of the quality and service. Overall, professional services can be worthwhile if you really lack the time or writing ability, but authenticity will always be a concern.
Private Writing Tutors or Coaches
As an alternative, you may prefer to work one-on-one with a private writing tutor or coach who can guide you through the process without actually writing the essay for you. This allows you to get feedback, brainstorming help, edits and suggestions from a professional while still maintaining control over the final product and ensuring your authentic voice comes through. Many private tutors specialize in college essays and offer hourly rates that are more affordable than some services.
The advantage of a tutor is that they can have a discussion with you to truly understand your experiences and personality in a way that’s difficult for a service employing many different writers. They can then coach and support you in crafting an essay that comes across as genuinely your own. You’ll also benefit from the learning experience of taking ownership over the writing process with guidance. Tutors generally offer fewer total hours of support than some services, so you’ll still need to do the bulk of the writing work yourself. Carefully vet prospective tutors’ qualifications before choosing.
Teacher Recommendations
Another excellent option is to ask an English teacher, guidance counselor or other school staff member for help. Many teachers are experienced in evaluating college essays and providing targeted feedback to help strengthen students’ works-in-progress. Teachers already know you and your academic strengths from class, so they may be able to offer particularly astute advice. This is also often a free service for current students. Teachers have limited time available, so request their help early and be sure to follow all guidelines and deadlines they provide. It’s also important not to ask teachers who don’t know you well or don’t feel comfortable writing letters of recommendation.
Friends and Family Editors
While well-meaning friends and family want to support you, generally it’s not advisable to have them heavily involved in writing significant portions of your college essay for you. Even basic proofreading should be done carefully to avoid changing your individual voice. Asking trusted family or friends who you know will be honest but constructive critics to take a look at a near-final draft can be beneficial. Make sure to get feedback from people sufficiently removed from the specific experiences and stories you’ve written about to maintain objectivity. Friends and family who are also currently attending college can be particularly helpful editors.
No Perfect Answer
Ultimately, there’s no single right answer for who should write your college essay – different combinations of the above options may work best depending on each applicant’s needs, situation and learning style. Many students find the optimal approach is to take responsibility for the initial writing and brainstorming themselves with guidance from a teacher or tutor, then have friends, family and teachers review and provide final feedback. Professional services could supplement your work, but not replace the importance of your authentic voice and perspective coming through clearly. Maintaining control over your essay’s development and direction while seeking input from various qualified sources will give you the best opportunity to thoughtfully reflect and craft a memorable piece of writing. Starting early and allowing time for multiple drafts is also key no matter who is helping you.
The bottom line is that your college essay matters greatly, so don’t leave the important task of writing it solely up to someone else. There’s no shame in wisely utilizing available resources to learn from writing professionals and get guidance from people invested in your success. Just be sure any help comes through thorough research, and allows your genuine experiences and personality to shine through clearly. With strategic assistance from qualified sources, you can feel confident that whoever ends up technically putting pen to paper will result in an admissions essay that truly represents you at your best.
Andrew Stroud