best college admission essay review service

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Christopher Null

The Write Stuff: 4 College Admissions Essay Editing Services Reviewed

Looking for good news about the college admissions process these days? You won't find much of it. Not only has the cost of attending college doubled on average since the 1980s, but also it's gotten considerably harder to get in. The majority of colleges in America have witnessed a plummeting acceptance rate as the number of student applications has exploded. Fifty years ago you had a 20 percent shot at getting into Harvard (all things equal, of course). Now the Crimson's acceptance rate is about 5 percent. In the last 10 years alone, the acceptance rate at many major universities has been cut in half . It's almost enough to make a kid consider trying out for the rowing team .

As if applicants didn't have enough to stress about, colleges have been making it more onerous to apply—requiring additional interviews, recommendations, and SAT Subject Tests. But the most burdensome of them all is an old standby: the application essay.

Essay requirements vary widely from school to school. The 150-plus members of the Coalition for College (which includes Harvard and Vanderbilt) requires a single 500-word essay selected from prompts such as "Describe a time when you made a meaningful contribution to others in which the greater good was your focus. Discuss the challenges and rewards of making your contribution." Those with eyes on the University of California system must write a whopping four essays, with prompts such as "Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced."

Students can reuse essays with other colleges if the prompts are similar enough—or if the schools happen to be members of the same application partnership—but you'd be surprised how seldom this occurs. My daughter found that out the hard way, when she learned that she'd have to write 12 separate essays to cover just five schools.

What's a kid to do who doesn't have parents who both work full-time as writers and editors? Just run their essay through Microsoft grammar check and hope for the best? Good luck. The acceptance rate at the University of Chicago has dropped 81 percent in the last 12 years. It doesn't take a Rhodes scholar to know that if you don't put your best foot forward, you may as well not even bother.

All of this led me to the curious world of online editing services. While you can hire a consultant to help guide your child through this overwhelming maze, these consultants are expensive and much of their work involves managing the complex application process, figuring out which colleges are a good fit, and brainstorming essay topics. If you just need help whipping an already written essay into better shape, an online editor might be a better (and much cheaper) fit.

To be sure, some of these services are exorbitantly expensive. Services like EssayEdge and TopAdmit can run you close to $200 for editing a single essay of fewer than 400 words. I've seen prices as high as $379 after various upsells. Word for word, that's more than what my editor at WIRED makes. (Hi, Mike!)

The good news is there are plenty of more affordable options available. I tested four of them, all reasonably priced and seemingly legitimate. Most of these services charge based on a combination of the word count of the original essay and the turnaround time required. I used the same raw essay from my daughter as a test piece for each of the four services, and requested the slowest turnaround time each of them offered to minimize the cost. I submitted her 383-word raw essay at the same time to each of the services, on a Wednesday afternoon. I gave all the services minimal guidance with my submission, noting only (when prompted) that this was a college application essay. All four of the services allow you to upload a Microsoft Word document and receive a red-lined and comment-filled Word document in return.

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When I received the revised essays, I reviewed them along with my wife (also a professional writer) and my daughter, the author. The reviews were done blind, without indicating the source of any of the edits, and we all rated each essay on a 1 to 10 scale. I also threw in a copy that I roughly edited. For the sake of comparison, the raw essay scored an average of 4.8, while my edit garnered a 6.9.

Here's what the various services cost, and how well they performed.

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Total price: $13.91, 48-hour turnaround promised. Edit received within 24 hours.

Scribendi offers seven different turnaround time tiers, but its 72-hour and one-week turnarounds were the same price as the 48-hour turnaround. A four-hour turnaround was quoted at $28.53. Scribendi returned both a changes-tracked version of the document and a "clean" version with all edits accepted. Scribendi's edit was not just the fastest, it was incredibly thorough—almost nitpicky—with 16 comments or prompts to the writer suggesting avenues for additional content or revisions that were beyond the scope of a simple edit. Oddly, the final edit didn't resonate with readers, who largely felt it was somewhat awkward and clunky in its overall flow. That said, the editor's notes and the service's overall speed were a big plusses.

Readers' rating: 5.0

Total price: $13.90, three-day turnaround promised. Edit received after two days.

Elite Editing has an Advanced Editing service for $40, but the $13.90 plan I chose offers only "basic editing," which doesn't include "suggested rewrites to eliminate awkward phrasing, repetition, passive voice, etc." and "taking into account your original assignment." Three days is the standard turnaround; one-day turnaround for the Basic Editing plan would have cost $19.90. The site crashed when I checked out, but my payment and submission both went through successfully. As promised, Elite's edit was indeed basic. Its editor made the fewest changes of any of the services and left only three comments, one of which was about whether the use of indentations and double-spacing was appropriate. While Elite's edits were correct, they weren't terribly deep—although that was enough to propel it to a second-place finish from the readers.

Readers' rating: 5.7

Total price: $15.32, five-day turnaround promised. Edit received after four days.

Wordvice has eight different pricing tiers, with rates as low as 4 cents per word for a seven-day turnaround, though that tier was limited to materials longer than 3,000 words. The five-day turnaround tier was only marginally more expensive. When I received Wordvice's edited document, I was offered an upsell for a "second look" (basically another edit) for 30 percent off. Wordvice's embedded commentary was nearly as thorough as Scribendi's, though Wordvice was less obsessive over grammar and more focused on overall clarity. Turns out that was the right move: Wordvice's edit was the overall favorite of the quartet, and the finished draft reads cleanly and clearly.

Readers' rating: 6.3

Total price: $31.33, seven-day turnaround promised. Edit received after four days.

Scribbr initially quoted a price of $25.36, but I shelled out an extra $6 for both the "structure check" and "clarity check" options, despite not really understanding what those were. Prices include a 2 percent surcharge for using a credit card. For those in a hurry, 24-hour turnaround doubles the price. Scribbr seems more focused on editing academic coursework essays than admissions essays, with a relatively formal structure applied to its edits (removing contractions completely, for example). Editor's commentary was sparse, though on target. This draft was the most divisive of the services, earning high marks from my wife but very low marks from my daughter, who thought it stripped the writing of her voice.

Readers' rating: 5.3

Any good college essay has to end with a conclusion, so here are a few takeaways. First, all of the services sent back essays that were, on average, felt to be an improvement over the original draft, with all of them catching numerous spelling and grammatical errors—so students with no professional editing help may do well to consider them, especially given how affordable these services are. That said, also remember that when you engage with an editing service, you're really engaging with a single (anonymous) editor who you won't ever meet or be able to interact with. That editor won't have any level of understanding of the writer's personality beyond what's on the page, and quality will necessarily vary from one editor to another, even within a given editing service.

Further still, remember that editing quality is always going to be subjective, just like any piece of writing. Except for this story, of course. It's amazing.

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Admission Essay Editing Fast, Affordable, Professional

Embark on your academic journey with confidence using our premier Admission Essay Editing Service. Our skilled editors, with years of experience, meticulously refine and elevate your college essays, ensuring they stand out in the competitive admission landscape. Count on our editing services to enhance the clarity and impact of your application essays, guiding students along a successful path to university acceptance.

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• Admission Essay Editing

Elevate Your College Application Essays

Crafting impactful college application essays is a pivotal step in securing admission to your desired university. Our Admission Essay Editing Service is designed to elevate your essays , ensuring they stand out in the competitive admission landscape. Our team of experienced editors, with years of expertise in college admissions, provides meticulous editing. We understand the significance of presenting a polished and compelling narrative that reflects your unique voice, academic prowess, and aspirations.

Our dedicated editors specialize in enhancing the clarity, coherence, and overall impact of your college essays. Whether you're a prospective student or a seasoned writer, our editing services can cater to your specific needs . We offer insightful feedback to refine your writing and present a well-crafted application. The feedback loop between our editors and students fosters a collaborative approach, resulting in essays that resonate with admission committees and increase your chances of acceptance .

Explore the transformative potential of our Admission Essay Editing Service through the lens of client reviews. Our satisfied students attest to the positive impact our editors have on their application essays. From personal statements to college application essays, our editing services aim to amplify your narrative, showcasing your strengths and unique qualities. Take the first step toward a successful college application by partnering with our seasoned editors who bring years of experience to ensure your essays reflect the best version of you.

Expert College Application Essay Editing to Help You Stand Out

Navigating the competitive landscape of college admissions requires more than just well-written essays—it demands a strategic and nuanced approach. Our Admission Essay Editing Service is your key to standing out among applicants, offering expert guidance to refine and elevate your college application essays. With a team of seasoned editors boasting years of experience, we specialize in providing comprehensive editing services tailored to enhance your narrative and capture the attention of admission committees .

Our dedicated editors understand the intricacies of crafting compelling college application essays that align with the unique ethos of different universities. We offer valuable feedback to strengthen your writing and ensure it reflects your academic prowess and personal journey effectively. From polishing grammar and style to amplifying the impact of your personal statement, our Student services empower you to present a cohesive and convincing application package.

Embark on your journey to university acceptance with the assurance that our expert college application essay editing service is committed to your success. Explore the transformative power of client reviews that attest to the effectiveness of our editing services. By partnering with us, you not only refine your essays but also gain a strategic advantage , positioning yourself as a standout candidate in the competitive college admission process.

Professional editing and proofreading are now even more affordable.

With Scribendi's 10% student discount, you can take your documents to the next level. Simply use the coupon code on our Student Discount page to start improving your writing today. Don't miss out on this limited time offer!

What will you receive with the Admission Essay Editing Service? 

• A revised document in which the spelling, grammar, and other distracting errors have been corrected
• Revisions to improve clarity and precision
• Tracked changes so that you can see and review all the revisions that have been made
• Critical commentary that addresses areas of concern and potential issues
• Suggestions to help you improve the writing and the focus of the essay
• A short summary of the work that has been done and any major concerns

What types of documents can you use the Admission Essay Editing Service for?

• Admission essays
• Admission documents and letters
• Note: For final drafts of admission essays that have already been edited at least once, please see Admission Essay Proofreading .

Looking for help with student essays? Please see Student Essay Editing for critical feedback and Student Essay Proofreading for error correction.

Generative AI has become increasingly relevant in academia and can impact academic services at Scribendi; click here to see Scribendi's policy on generative AI .

Rest assured, your content is handled with the utmost privacy and security. All uploads and downloads are encrypted, keeping your personal information strictly confidential . 

Our professional editing services, specializing in admission essay editing, provide a competitive edge for college and university applications. Experience the expertise of our skilled editors, who work with various file types, and gain an advantage in the admission process. 

Receive instant quotes and place your order today to enhance your college application essays.

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Admission essay editing service faq, why is college essay editing your chance to stand out.

Unlock your potential with our Admission Essay Editing Service. Craft a compelling college essay that sets you apart. Our skilled editors, with years of experience, meticulously refine your admission essay, ensuring clarity, coherence, and impact. Elevate your writing with personalized feedback from expert essay coaches. Our college essay editing service is a transformative journey tailored to enhance your unique voice. Join countless satisfied students whose essays have undergone a metamorphosis, as reflected in glowing client reviews.

What are the benefits of our Admission Essay Editing Service? 

Elevate your admission journey with our unparalleled Admission Essay Editing Service. Our expert editors, with years of experience, meticulously refine and strengthen your college essay, ensuring it stands out in the competitive admission landscape. We provide personalized feedback to enhance your writing and showcase your unique voice. 

How much does admission essay editing cost? 

Discover affordable excellence with our Admission Essay Editing Service. Our transparent pricing reflects our commitment to assisting students on their journey to compelling college essays. Tailored to suit various budgets, our editing services ensure that your admission essay receives the attention it deserves without breaking the bank. Benefit from the expertise of seasoned editors with years of experience, providing meticulous insightful feedback and enhancing the overall quality of your college application essay. Invest in your academic future with our cost-effective Admission Essay Editing Service, where affordability meets excellence in crafting impactful essays for college admissions. Use our Student Discount for additional savings on high-quality admission essay editing. 

What is the process to edit my college application essay?

Our Admission Essay Editing Service ensures a streamlined process to refine your college application essay. Submit your essay through our user-friendly platform, and it will be assigned to one of our experienced editors specializing in college essays. They meticulously ensure flawless grammar and style. Receive personalized feedback that enhances your essay's clarity and impact. Benefit from the expertise of our skilled editors, dedicated to optimizing your admission essay for success. Experience a smooth and efficient process that transforms your college application essay into a compelling narrative, ready to impress university admission committees.

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This is an affordable option for lower-stakes situations and almost-ready essays that require some polishing before they’re submissions-ready.

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We start our work by getting to know you in depth. With the help of our Student Profile Questionnaire, we ask relevant questions about your academic profile, challenges, and admissions goals. To gain a deeper understanding, we also ask thought-provoking questions to get your insights about your formative years, personal interests, hopes, and dreams.

Your questionnaire is personally reviewed by our Head of Admissions, a Harvard and Yale graduate with 10+ years of counseling experience. They have worked closely with all the consultants on our team and understand their areas of specialization and track record. Based on your answers, our Head of Admissions matches you with the best consultant to help you reach your goals.

Our matching process is carefully designed and consistently leads to successful consultant and student matches; as a result, reassignment is virtually never necessary. However, if the need for a reassignment arises, we are happy to accommodate such a request.

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The flexibility and availability offered to me by my selected tutor as well as her willingness to work with me until we perfected the things needed for my college journey. I would Highly recommend prepscholar to anyone looking for help or improvement in high school.

I really liked the personalized support for my essays and how my consultant took the time to understand me as a person to know how to best reflect myself in my essay. She was also very understanding when I needed more time to work on the draft before another round of revisions

Many of the people that reviewed my essay told me the same thing: show don’t tell. However, they never explained what they meant or how to accomplish that. Lily was really nice and helpful in demonstrating what I needed to change instead of just saying it needed improvement. She was also really nice!

Through the consulting sessions, Laura was able to hone in on Mike’s true values, and the best positioning to colleges.  She helped pick the best activities and way to word the activities on the applications.

After many sessions, the application and essay writing became more natural for Mike. I’m glad to say that his voice fully shines through the essays. His consultant just helped him cut out unneeded information, and help hit the word limit and make the most important points. Shewas an expert at knowing how to position clubs and activities as well.

My consultant did an excellent job helping me tell my story. Over our first week, he provided very helpful feedback on my topic ideas and quickly identified a concept that ended up leading to a well-formed essay. He was also very helpful and encouraging throughout the process, and he provided accurate and specific feedback that helped me create an essay that felt very true to myself. Paradoxically, the essay we created together felt much more genuine than any of the attempts I had made at drafting an essay on my own beforehand!

Prepscholar’s personalized approach to the admissions process is invaluable. Eric’s “show, don’t tell” philosophy is practical and proven. Allen and the Prepscholar team embody this essential value with their own degrees and educational accolades. I trust them with my collegiate future. I would suggest that anyone needing guidance through the admissions process do the same.

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Admission Essay Editing Services

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Admission Essay Editing

If you’d like to boost your chances of getting into your university or college of choice, you need an admission essay that sets you apart. And this means making sure it is clear, academic, and error free. But with the help of our admission essay proofreading service, you can be confident of making a great first impression.

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Our expert proofreaders have helped countless university applicants win a place on the course of their choice. As a result, we know what makes a good admission essay. So let us put out skills to work and help you fulfil your academic dreams.

Make sure your writing is the best it can be with our expert English proofreading and editing

With our admission essay proofreading service, we will:

• Correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors
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In most cases, we will also provide two copies of your edited essay:

• A ‘Clean’ copy in the original file format
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You can use this second copy to view every edit we make, so you are always in control of the final draft. And if your  chosen file format  doesn’t support Track Changes, we will adapt our process to match.

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College Essay Review Services: Why You Need Them

Many students consider using college essay review services every year, but they aren't sure if their services are worth it. The short answer is yes; they are more than worth the cost. Whether you're trying to get into one of the  Ivy League Schools , a small college in your community, or one of the  best undergraduate business schools , you will likely be required to write at least one college admissions essay, and it will be an essential part of your application. This blog will talk about the different types of college essays, how important they are, and how college essay review services are your best bet for beating the competition and doing well with this application component. 

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Article Contents 7 min read

What exactly is a college essay.

There are several different types of college essays, but the most common college admissions essay is the personal statement or  common app essay . This is a short document that is supposed to tell the admissions board about who you are as a candidate and why you are a good fit for their college or university. 

Some schools provide a specific word count for the essays, but it should be between 400 and 650 words unless otherwise stated. It also doesn't follow the same structure as an academic essay. Even though it has an introduction, body, and conclusion, it is not about presenting and supporting an argument. Rather, it is supposed to tell a story that illustrates who you are as a person.

You can think of it as a cover letter for your college application. When you are applying for a job, your resume shows your work history and academic background in the same way that your school transcript and other application components show your GPA and grades for your college application. Your cover letter ( and personal statement) is a bit more personal. They communicate the soft skills and strengths that can't be easily quantified.

College essays also give you a chance to humanize your application and tell the admissions board about the person behind the grades and GPA. Many colleges, like  Columbia University  for example, have a holistic admissions process. This means that they care about your academic background and who are outside of your studies. Your personal statement allows them to learn more about your interests and what you could  contribute to your future campus community.  

College essays are an essential part of the college application process. According to the  National Association for college admission counseling , college essays are an important part of the decision-making process for most institutions in the united states. This information is not surprising considering the amount of information that the admission board can learn about a student from their personal statement and other supplemental essays.

Additionally, it is important to remember that college essays also give students an opportunity to talk to the admissions board. You get to share your story and tell the admissions board why you are a good fit for their school in your own words. You also get to address some of the weaker points of your overall application. For example, if you are trying to  get into college with a low GPA , you can use your college essay to explain the circumstances that led to your subpar grades and the steps you have taken to improve your grades.

College essay review services do a lot more than highlight grammatical inconsistencies in your writing (although this is one of the many things they can help with). They are actual human experts who can have a significant impact on the overall quality of applicants' college essays, thus increasing their chances of getting into college. College essay review services are typically offered by admission experts, such as  college essay advisors , who know the college application process inside and out. They review students' college essays and use their knowledge and training to provide personalized feedback and guidance to help students edit and polish their essays. The aim is to draft a final essay that will be more compelling, making the student a more attractive candidate to colleges.

Your college essays are a representation of you to the admission board. Except for college interviews, this is your only chance to talk to the admission board in your own words. This means that is also the first impression they will have of you. If you submit an essay with grammatical errors and typos, it tells the board that you either did not care enough to review your work or that you did not notice those errors when you did. Either way, it is not a good look for you.

This is where college essay review services come in. College essay advisors can thoroughly verify the grammatical syntax of your sentences, check that your essay is coherent and easy to follow and that it is free of grammatical or spelling errors. 

Highlighting relevant skills

Since college essay review services are run by admission experts, they have an in-depth understanding of the world of college admissions. These essay advisors have not only gone through the process themselves, but they have also helped other students go through it multiple times. Additionally, they are also trained to decipher all the "admissions talk" on college websites so they can actually help you figure out what values and traits specific colleges are looking for.

Furthermore, because they are an objective third party looking at the details of your academic background and experiences, they can easily see which activities and skills can make you a better candidate. For example, if you are applying for a philosophy major, you might think that your love for nature or hiking is irrelevant information to your application. College essay review services can help you understand how you can showcase your experience as a hiker in a way that will appeal to your chosen faculty.

Writing strategies

Writing college essays is not an easy task, and the truth is that most applicants aren't aware that their essay writing skills may be lacking. Unfortunately, high school classes rarely include lessons about writing academic admission essays or personal statements, so even gifted writers or A+ English students don't have the tools needed to write an essay that will impress the college admissions committee.

Without guidance, students often end up writing very generic essays that do not add to their overall application, or they simply go through the details of their high school resume without providing any new information. By working with college essay review services, students have someone at their disposal who can give them the tools and strategies necessary to brainstorm and write great, original college essays.

Developing skills

Most college students start improving their research and writing skills as they write essays in college. However, when you work with a college essay review service, you start with stronger skills than most in that department. Good college essay review services have advisors who will not write the students' essays for them. Instead, they will guide them through the entire process – from brainstorming to drafting and editing- and teach them how to research, write and edit. 

In other words, working with college essay review services allows students to not only improve the quality of their college essays, but also improve their research, writing, and critical thinking skills. All of which are skills that will serve them well during college and beyond.

Preparing college applications is a stressful process, and one of the most anxiety-inducing aspects of it for students is writing college essays. Not only is it time-consuming, but it can get quickly get overwhelming for applicants and those around them. Furthermore, because students do not have access to as much information about the college admissions process, they simply have to trust that the topic they chose and the tips they found online are not leading them astray. 

Working with a professional college essay review service can remove that extra layer of anxiety. Because you are working with an expert, you can rely on the tips and advice they give you because you know it comes from a good source.

Not sure where to start with your common app essay? This video can help:

College essays are a crucial part of the college application process, so if you want to maximize your chances of getting into a top college in this increasingly competitive climate, you need to do everything you can to ensure that you are submitting top-notch essays. The key to doing that is working with college essay review services. The college advisors who run these services can help you highlight your strengths and address any potential red flags in a way that still makes you look good. Furthermore, working with them will help you improve your research and writing skills, which you will definitely need when you get into college.

There are several types of college admission essays, and usually, at least one of them is compulsory. If you are applying to college through common app, for example, you will definitely need to write common app essay.

That will depend on the school you're applying to. Most colleges require one personal statement and one or more secondary essays. You should verify the admission requirements of the schools that you're interested in to find out how many college essays you will be required to write.

Not every Canadian university requires an admissions essay, but quite a few request one.  The University of Toronto , for example, is one of them.

You should stay away from advisors who will write your essay for you. This practice is unethical, and it can have severe consequences for both you, the applicant, and the person who wrote the essay for you.

We recommend that you spend at least six weeks on your college essay. That is enough time to brainstorm, write, review, edit and polish the essay before it is ready for submission.

These services are offered by admission experts who will review your essays and guide you through the process of editing and polishing them. The aim is for the essays you submit with your application to be as compelling as possible, thus increasing your chances of success.

Yes, there are. Not all college essay review services work with international students, but we here at BeMo certainly do. Schedule your free initial consultation to find out how our consultants can help you.

Good college essay review services have qualified advisors who care about helping students, good independent reviews, and a high success rate. Make sure you take the time to peruse the websites of the companies that you are considering.

Yes, they do. College essays are the only application component that tells the admissions committee how you see yourself. They give you a chance to show the admissions board the person behind the extracurriculars and the GPA and remind them that your application is a lot more than just a number.

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College Essays

If you grow up to be a professional writer, everything you write will first go through an editor before being published. This is because the process of writing is really a process of re-writing —of rethinking and reexamining your work, usually with the help of someone else. So what does this mean for your student writing? And in particular, what does it mean for very important, but nonprofessional writing like your college essay? Should you ask your parents to look at your essay? Pay for an essay service?

If you are wondering what kind of help you can, and should, get with your personal statement, you've come to the right place! In this article, I'll talk about what kind of writing help is useful, ethical, and even expected for your college admission essay . I'll also point out who would make a good editor, what the differences between editing and proofreading are, what to expect from a good editor, and how to spot and stay away from a bad one.

Table of Contents

What Kind of Help for Your Essay Can You Get?

What's Good Editing?

What should an editor do for you, what kind of editing should you avoid, proofreading, what's good proofreading, what kind of proofreading should you avoid.

What Do Colleges Think Of You Getting Help With Your Essay?

Who Can/Should Help You?

Advice for editors.

Should You Pay Money For Essay Editing?

The Bottom Line

What's next, what kind of help with your essay can you get.

Rather than talking in general terms about "help," let's first clarify the two different ways that someone else can improve your writing . There is editing, which is the more intensive kind of assistance that you can use throughout the whole process. And then there's proofreading, which is the last step of really polishing your final product.

Let me go into some more detail about editing and proofreading, and then explain how good editors and proofreaders can help you."

Editing is helping the author (in this case, you) go from a rough draft to a finished work . Editing is the process of asking questions about what you're saying, how you're saying it, and how you're organizing your ideas. But not all editing is good editing . In fact, it's very easy for an editor to cross the line from supportive to overbearing and over-involved.

Ability to clarify assignments. A good editor is usually a good writer, and certainly has to be a good reader. For example, in this case, a good editor should make sure you understand the actual essay prompt you're supposed to be answering.

Open-endedness. Good editing is all about asking questions about your ideas and work, but without providing answers. It's about letting you stick to your story and message, and doesn't alter your point of view.

Think of an editor as a great travel guide. It can show you the many different places your trip could take you. It should explain any parts of the trip that could derail your trip or confuse the traveler. But it never dictates your path, never forces you to go somewhere you don't want to go, and never ignores your interests so that the trip no longer seems like it's your own. So what should good editors do?

Help Brainstorm Topics

Sometimes it's easier to bounce thoughts off of someone else. This doesn't mean that your editor gets to come up with ideas, but they can certainly respond to the various topic options you've come up with. This way, you're less likely to write about the most boring of your ideas, or to write about something that isn't actually important to you.

If you're wondering how to come up with options for your editor to consider, check out our guide to brainstorming topics for your college essay .

Help Revise Your Drafts

Here, your editor can't upset the delicate balance of not intervening too much or too little. It's tricky, but a great way to think about it is to remember: editing is about asking questions, not giving answers .

Revision questions should point out:

• Places where more detail or more description would help the reader connect with your essay
• Places where structure and logic don't flow, losing the reader's attention
• Places where there aren't transitions between paragraphs, confusing the reader
• Moments where your narrative or the arguments you're making are unclear

But pointing to potential problems is not the same as actually rewriting—editors let authors fix the problems themselves.

Bad editing is usually very heavy-handed editing. Instead of helping you find your best voice and ideas, a bad editor changes your writing into their own vision.

You may be dealing with a bad editor if they:

• Add material (examples, descriptions) that doesn't come from you
• Use a thesaurus to make your college essay sound "more mature"
• Add meaning or insight to the essay that doesn't come from you
• Tell you what to say and how to say it
• Write sentences, phrases, and paragraphs for you
• Change your voice in the essay so it no longer sounds like it was written by a teenager

Colleges can tell the difference between a 17-year-old's writing and a 50-year-old's writing. Not only that, they have access to your SAT or ACT Writing section, so they can compare your essay to something else you wrote. Writing that's a little more polished is great and expected. But a totally different voice and style will raise questions.

Where's the Line Between Helpful Editing and Unethical Over-Editing?

Sometimes it's hard to tell whether your college essay editor is doing the right thing. Here are some guidelines for staying on the ethical side of the line.

• An editor should say that the opening paragraph is kind of boring, and explain what exactly is making it drag. But it's overstepping for an editor to tell you exactly how to change it.
• An editor should point out where your prose is unclear or vague. But it's completely inappropriate for the editor to rewrite that section of your essay.
• An editor should let you know that a section is light on detail or description. But giving you similes and metaphors to beef up that description is a no-go.

Proofreading (also called copy-editing) is checking for errors in the last draft of a written work. It happens at the end of the process and is meant as the final polishing touch. Proofreading is meticulous and detail-oriented, focusing on small corrections. It sands off all the surface rough spots that could alienate the reader.

Because proofreading is usually concerned with making fixes on the word or sentence level, this is the only process where someone else can actually add to or take away things from your essay . This is because what they are adding or taking away tends to be one or two misplaced letters.

Laser focus. Proofreading is all about the tiny details, so the ability to really concentrate on finding small slip-ups is a must.

Excellent grammar and spelling skills. Proofreaders need to dot every "i" and cross every "t." Good proofreaders should correct spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and grammar. They should put foreign words in italics and surround quotations with quotation marks. They should check that you used the correct college's name, and that you adhered to any formatting requirements (name and date at the top of the page, uniform font and size, uniform spacing).

Limited interference. A proofreader needs to make sure that you followed any word limits. But if cuts need to be made to shorten the essay, that's your job and not the proofreader's.

A bad proofreader either tries to turn into an editor, or just lacks the skills and knowledge necessary to do the job.

Some signs that you're working with a bad proofreader are:

• If they suggest making major changes to the final draft of your essay. Proofreading happens when editing is already finished.
• If they aren't particularly good at spelling, or don't know grammar, or aren't detail-oriented enough to find someone else's small mistakes.
• If they start swapping out your words for fancier-sounding synonyms, or changing the voice and sound of your essay in other ways. A proofreader is there to check for errors, not to take the 17-year-old out of your writing.

What Do Colleges Think of Your Getting Help With Your Essay?

Admissions officers agree: light editing and proofreading are good—even required ! But they also want to make sure you're the one doing the work on your essay. They want essays with stories, voice, and themes that come from you. They want to see work that reflects your actual writing ability, and that focuses on what you find important.

On the Importance of Editing

Get feedback. Have a fresh pair of eyes give you some feedback. Don't allow someone else to rewrite your essay, but do take advantage of others' edits and opinions when they seem helpful. ( Bates College )

Read your essay aloud to someone. Reading the essay out loud offers a chance to hear how your essay sounds outside your head. This exercise reveals flaws in the essay's flow, highlights grammatical errors and helps you ensure that you are communicating the exact message you intended. ( Dickinson College )

On the Value of Proofreading

Share your essays with at least one or two people who know you well—such as a parent, teacher, counselor, or friend—and ask for feedback. Remember that you ultimately have control over your essays, and your essays should retain your own voice, but others may be able to catch mistakes that you missed and help suggest areas to cut if you are over the word limit. ( Yale University )

Proofread and then ask someone else to proofread for you. Although we want substance, we also want to be able to see that you can write a paper for our professors and avoid careless mistakes that would drive them crazy. ( Oberlin College )

On Watching Out for Too Much Outside Influence

Limit the number of people who review your essay. Too much input usually means your voice is lost in the writing style. ( Carleton College )

Ask for input (but not too much). Your parents, friends, guidance counselors, coaches, and teachers are great people to bounce ideas off of for your essay. They know how unique and spectacular you are, and they can help you decide how to articulate it. Keep in mind, however, that a 45-year-old lawyer writes quite differently from an 18-year-old student, so if your dad ends up writing the bulk of your essay, we're probably going to notice. ( Vanderbilt University )

Now let's talk about some potential people to approach for your college essay editing and proofreading needs. It's best to start close to home and slowly expand outward. Not only are your family and friends more invested in your success than strangers, but they also have a better handle on your interests and personality. This knowledge is key for judging whether your essay is expressing your true self.

Parents or Close Relatives

Your family may be full of potentially excellent editors! Parents are deeply committed to your well-being, and family members know you and your life well enough to offer details or incidents that can be included in your essay. On the other hand, the rewriting process necessarily involves criticism, which is sometimes hard to hear from someone very close to you.

A parent or close family member is a great choice for an editor if you can answer "yes" to the following questions. Is your parent or close relative a good writer or reader? Do you have a relationship where editing your essay won't create conflict? Are you able to constructively listen to criticism and suggestion from the parent?

One suggestion for defusing face-to-face discussions is to try working on the essay over email. Send your parent a draft, have them write you back some comments, and then you can pick which of their suggestions you want to use and which to discard.

Teachers or Tutors

A humanities teacher that you have a good relationship with is a great choice. I am purposefully saying humanities, and not just English, because teachers of Philosophy, History, Anthropology, and any other classes where you do a lot of writing, are all used to reviewing student work.

Moreover, any teacher or tutor that has been working with you for some time, knows you very well and can vet the essay to make sure it "sounds like you."

If your teacher or tutor has some experience with what college essays are supposed to be like, ask them to be your editor. If not, then ask whether they have time to proofread your final draft.

Guidance or College Counselor at Your School

The best thing about asking your counselor to edit your work is that this is their job. This means that they have a very good sense of what colleges are looking for in an application essay.

At the same time, school counselors tend to have relationships with admissions officers in many colleges, which again gives them insight into what works and which college is focused on what aspect of the application.

Unfortunately, in many schools the guidance counselor tends to be way overextended. If your ratio is 300 students to 1 college counselor, you're unlikely to get that person's undivided attention and focus. It is still useful to ask them for general advice about your potential topics, but don't expect them to be able to stay with your essay from first draft to final version.

Friends, Siblings, or Classmates

Although they most likely don't have much experience with what colleges are hoping to see, your peers are excellent sources for checking that your essay is you .

Friends and siblings are perfect for the read-aloud edit. Read your essay to them so they can listen for words and phrases that are stilted, pompous, or phrases that just don't sound like you.

You can even trade essays and give helpful advice on each other's work.

If your editor hasn't worked with college admissions essays very much, no worries! Any astute and attentive reader can still greatly help with your process. But, as in all things, beginners do better with some preparation.

First, your editor should read our advice about how to write a college essay introduction , how to spot and fix a bad college essay , and get a sense of what other students have written by going through some admissions essays that worked .

Then, as they read your essay, they can work through the following series of questions that will help them to guide you.

Introduction Questions

• Is the first sentence a killer opening line? Why or why not?
• Does the introduction hook the reader? Does it have a colorful, detailed, and interesting narrative? Or does it propose a compelling or surprising idea?
• Can you feel the author's voice in the introduction, or is the tone dry, dull, or overly formal? Show the places where the voice comes through.

Essay Body Questions

• Does the essay have a through-line? Is it built around a central argument, thought, idea, or focus? Can you put this idea into your own words?
• How is the essay organized? By logical progression? Chronologically? Do you feel order when you read it, or are there moments where you are confused or lose the thread of the essay?
• Does the essay have both narratives about the author's life and explanations and insight into what these stories reveal about the author's character, personality, goals, or dreams? If not, which is missing?
• Does the essay flow? Are there smooth transitions/clever links between paragraphs? Between the narrative and moments of insight?

Reader Response Questions

• Does the writer's personality come through? Do we know what the speaker cares about? Do we get a sense of "who he or she is"?
• Where did you feel most connected to the essay? Which parts of the essay gave you a "you are there" sensation by invoking your senses? What moments could you picture in your head well?
• Where are the details and examples vague and not specific enough?
• Did you get an "a-ha!" feeling anywhere in the essay? Is there a moment of insight that connected all the dots for you? Is there a good reveal or "twist" anywhere in the essay?
• What are the strengths of this essay? What needs the most improvement?

Should You Pay Money for Essay Editing?

One alternative to asking someone you know to help you with your college essay is the paid editor route. There are two different ways to pay for essay help: a private essay coach or a less personal editing service , like the many proliferating on the internet.

My advice is to think of these options as a last resort rather than your go-to first choice. I'll first go through the reasons why. Then, if you do decide to go with a paid editor, I'll help you decide between a coach and a service.

When to Consider a Paid Editor

In general, I think hiring someone to work on your essay makes a lot of sense if none of the people I discussed above are a possibility for you.

If you can't ask your parents. For example, if your parents aren't good writers, or if English isn't their first language. Or if you think getting your parents to help is going create unnecessary extra conflict in your relationship with them (applying to college is stressful as it is!)

If you can't ask your teacher or tutor. Maybe you don't have a trusted teacher or tutor that has time to look over your essay with focus. Or, for instance, your favorite humanities teacher has very limited experience with college essays and so won't know what admissions officers want to see.

If you can't ask your guidance counselor. This could be because your guidance counselor is way overwhelmed with other students.

If you can't share your essay with those who know you. It might be that your essay is on a very personal topic that you're unwilling to share with parents, teachers, or peers. Just make sure it doesn't fall into one of the bad-idea topics in our article on bad college essays .

If the cost isn't a consideration. Many of these services are quite expensive, and private coaches even more so. If you have finite resources, I'd say that hiring an SAT or ACT tutor (whether it's PrepScholar or someone else) is better way to spend your money . This is because there's no guarantee that a slightly better essay will sufficiently elevate the rest of your application, but a significantly higher SAT score will definitely raise your applicant profile much more.

Should You Hire an Essay Coach?

On the plus side, essay coaches have read dozens or even hundreds of college essays, so they have experience with the format. Also, because you'll be working closely with a specific person, it's more personal than sending your essay to a service, which will know even less about you.

But, on the minus side, you'll still be bouncing ideas off of someone who doesn't know that much about you . In general, if you can adequately get the help from someone you know, there is no advantage to paying someone to help you.

If you do decide to hire a coach, ask your school counselor, or older students that have used the service for recommendations. If you can't afford the coach's fees, ask whether they can work on a sliding scale —many do. And finally, beware those who guarantee admission to your school of choice—essay coaches don't have any special magic that can back up those promises.

Should You Send Your Essay to a Service?

On the plus side, essay editing services provide a similar product to essay coaches, and they cost significantly less . If you have some assurance that you'll be working with a good editor, the lack of face-to-face interaction won't prevent great results.

On the minus side, however, it can be difficult to gauge the quality of the service before working with them . If they are churning through many application essays without getting to know the students they are helping, you could end up with an over-edited essay that sounds just like everyone else's. In the worst case scenario, an unscrupulous service could send you back a plagiarized essay.

Getting recommendations from friends or a school counselor for reputable services is key to avoiding heavy-handed editing that writes essays for you or does too much to change your essay. Including a badly-edited essay like this in your application could cause problems if there are inconsistencies. For example, in interviews it might be clear you didn't write the essay, or the skill of the essay might not be reflected in your schoolwork and test scores.

Should You Buy an Essay Written by Someone Else?

Let me elaborate. There are super sketchy places on the internet where you can simply buy a pre-written essay. Don't do this!

For one thing, you'll be lying on an official, signed document. All college applications make you sign a statement saying something like this:

I certify that all information submitted in the admission process—including the application, the personal essay, any supplements, and any other supporting materials—is my own work, factually true, and honestly presented... I understand that I may be subject to a range of possible disciplinary actions, including admission revocation, expulsion, or revocation of course credit, grades, and degree, should the information I have certified be false. (From the Common Application )

For another thing, if your academic record doesn't match the essay's quality, the admissions officer will start thinking your whole application is riddled with lies.

Admission officers have full access to your writing portion of the SAT or ACT so that they can compare work that was done in proctored conditions with that done at home. They can tell if these were written by different people. Not only that, but there are now a number of search engines that faculty and admission officers can use to see if an essay contains strings of words that have appeared in other essays—you have no guarantee that the essay you bought wasn't also bought by 50 other students.

• You should get college essay help with both editing and proofreading
• A good editor will ask questions about your idea, logic, and structure, and will point out places where clarity is needed
• A good editor will absolutely not answer these questions, give you their own ideas, or write the essay or parts of the essay for you
• A good proofreader will find typos and check your formatting
• All of them agree that getting light editing and proofreading is necessary
• Parents, teachers, guidance or college counselor, and peers or siblings
• If you can't ask any of those, you can pay for college essay help, but watch out for services or coaches who over-edit you work
• Don't buy a pre-written essay! Colleges can tell, and it'll make your whole application sound false.

Ready to start working on your essay? Check out our explanation of the point of the personal essay and the role it plays on your applications and then explore our step-by-step guide to writing a great college essay .

Using the Common Application for your college applications? We have an excellent guide to the Common App essay prompts and useful advice on how to pick the Common App prompt that's right for you . Wondering how other people tackled these prompts? Then work through our roundup of over 130 real college essay examples published by colleges .

Stressed about whether to take the SAT again before submitting your application? Let us help you decide how many times to take this test . If you choose to go for it, we have the ultimate guide to studying for the SAT to give you the ins and outs of the best ways to study.

Anna scored in the 99th percentile on her SATs in high school, and went on to major in English at Princeton and to get her doctorate in English Literature at Columbia. She is passionate about improving student access to higher education.

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Great work! Here is some feedback that would make your essay even better. Copy

The essay you've presented is touching, and it shows a sincere reflection on an individual experience during challenging times. However, there are some areas that could be improved:

1. Clarity and Cohesiveness: Your usage of the 'song' metaphor throughout the essay can be a bit confusing. When reading your essay, clarity is essential. Using a clearer approach to express your thoughts would serve you better. Instead of using a metaphor throughout your essay, use it only in certain parts to create an image or elicit emotion.

2. Set the Stage: While you mention your location change to Australia and your temporary assignment, you don't mention what it is. A sentence or two explaining what this temporary assignment entailed could give more context to your narrative.

3. Specific Examples: You refer to your experiences and lessons learned, such as finding comfort in journal writing and learning guitar. However, it would create a stronger impact if you discuss a specific episode that encapsulates these experiences. For instance, was there a particular entry in your journal that changed your perspective? Did you learn a specific song on the guitar that became your anchor?

4. Concluding Thoughts: Though you conclude with a reflection that you learned to listen to your "slow, warm, and soothing song", the profoundness of this realization might be underplayed. It might be useful to enrich your conclusion by explaining how these experiences will influence your future actions.

5. Word Count: Your essay is concise and does not exceed the recommended word limit. By making these suggested changes, your essay could demonstrate an emotional maturity and self-awareness that will stand out to any admissions committee. The resilience you gained through your experiences will undoubtedly serve you well at Georgetown University.

Great work! Here is some feedback that you would make yoru essay even better. Copy

The essay brims with passion and communicates a clear sense of what inspires the writer, i.e., music. It paints a vivid picture of how playing music exhilarates the writer and the role it plays in their lives. However, parts of the essay can still be improved to emphasize the candidate's qualities and the effects of their inspiration.

1. Informality: The essay is written in a somewhat casual and informal tone. While this makes the essay sound conversational and genuine, an overly casual tone might not be optimal for a college application. For example, phrases like "Hope that helps and brings a smile to your face." may seem too relaxed. Instead, strive for a balance where your unique voice and personality can still shine through, but where your words reflect mature contemplation and seriousness of purpose.

2. Lack of Personal Experiences: The essay mentions the enjoyment derived from playing the piano but lacks specific anecdotes or detailed experiences that would elevate the narrative. Details such as moments when you mastered a difficult piece, or when your music particularly resonated with a listener would make the passion tangible.

3. Non-Expanded Inspiration: While the essay tells us that the writer finds inspiration in music and revered pianists, it would be beneficial to explain how this inspiration influences other aspects of your life. For instance, does music inspire you to study certain subjects, engage in community service, or view the world in a particular way? This would provide a more well-rounded understanding of your inspiration.

4. Connection to Yale: Since this is for a Yale application, consider mentioning how this passion can be further explored at Yale. Maybe there's a specific course or extracurricular activity you’re excited about. This could help display your interest in the university and how smoothly you'd assimilate academically and socially.

5. Ending: The essay concludes on a slightly abrupt note. A concluding paragraph that encapsulates your source of inspiration and briefly hints at your future aspirations or goals, tying your passion for music back to your vision for your time at Yale or your career, would round off the essay well. This ties your inspiration to your future, presenting a holistic view of why your inspiration is crucial to you.

The essay is a good start. It provides a fair representation of your personality, showing a balance between academic and extracurricular interests, as well as a sense of humor. However, several aspects can be improved for more depth and specificity.

1. Show, Don't Tell: You've mentioned your interests, but it's better to offer relevant experiences that visually depict these activities. For example, instead of simply stating your interest in books and soccer, you could relate an incident where knowledge from a novel strategically played a role in a soccer match.

2. Harvard Reference: The mention about choosing Harvard appears generic lacking depth; it can be applied to any highly reputable university. Instead, illustrate distinct aspects of Harvard that specifically align with your interests or goals. For example, maybe there's a professor within your chosen major with whom you would love to work.

3. Anecdotes or Stories: Adding anecdotes or stories about your community work or your struggle with a bag of gummy bears will not only make the essay more engaging, but it will reveal more about your personality and character.

4. Clearer Transitions: The transitions between different parts of the essay can be smoother and more natural. For instance, you abruptly switch from talking about soccer to Harvard which may confuse readers momentarily. A transitional sentence could mitigate this issue.

5. Values and Character Traits: Try to provide implicit insights into your values or character traits through your experiences and interests. For instance, volunteering indicates a sense of responsibility and commitment to the welfare of others. Your fascination for books could demonstrate intellectual curiosity and open-mindedness.

6. Conclusion: The ending could be more impactful or persuasive. Instead of just hoping for great times at Harvard, you could express enthusiasm about contributing positively to Harvard and its community with your future roommate. Remember, the purpose of this essay is to demonstrate what you would contribute to the Harvard community and how you would engage with your future roommate. Tailoring anecdotes to reveal more about your character and aspirations will allow the essay to resonate better with the committee.

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How to Find the Best College Essay Advising Services

Perhaps the most complex and time-consuming element of college applications is the essay-writing process, which now often includes personal statements, additional information essays, diversity statements, mountains of supplements, and other fun surprises. As a result, many parents and students are increasingly seeking the help of college essay tutors to help them organize, strategize, and execute an increasing amount of admissions-related assignments. You know this. That is why you’re here, right?

But how do you know which advising companies are the real deal? Or who has valid expertise and who is faking-it-till-they-make it (or exaggerating their credentials)? And what qualifications even matter when it comes to hiring someone for admissions essay advice?

We put together a handy checklist of skills to covet, questions to ask, and red flags to look out for when hiring an admissions essay expert.

First, here’s what not to do: 

1) don’t believe the ivy league hype..

A slew of essay advising services (and general college advisors) lead by promoting their Ivy League pedigree. While we recognize the value of an education from these top-tier institutions, we also have found that it is not synonymous with being qualified for and skilled at college essay advising. Just because someone was able to gain admission to Harvard or Yale or UPenn doesn’t mean they know how to help you get in. We employ experts based on their past essay advising experience, creativity, and ability to effectively guide a student through the essay-writing process. We don’t discriminate against those who don’t have Ivy League diplomas; and if we did, we would have missed out on hiring some of CEA’s most brilliant and beloved consultants. Success with your own application to an Ivy League university does not equal an innate ability to help others succeed with theirs. 

2) DON’T believe the former admissions officer hype.

The logic in this is very similar to our Ivy League advice above. We have the utmost respect for college admissions officers and their in-depth understanding of the evaluation process. But just because you can recognize an effective application essay doesn’t mean you can help a student create one. The ability to help a student identify their story and generate creative ideas that admissions officers will remember is what counts. That, plus ample experience helping students with a wide variety of assignments, is what makes for a truly stellar college essay tutor.

3) DON’T use an essay factory.

At least not if you want the personal attention and nuanced feedback that comes with hiring a true expert. Massive test prep companies have hopped on the college essay prep bandwagon and are known to employ staff with little-to-no college essay advising experience. And a “college essay editor” is not the same as a college essay advisor, consultant, or expert who helps a student think through strategy, content, and messaging. College essay consulting companies who try to grow too fast often have a similar issue with sloppy hiring and lack of personal attention. If you are looking for high-touch services, a small or mid-sized operation is likely better suited to your needs.

4) DON’T hire a college student.

Even if that student was successfully admitted to the school of their (and your) dreams. No one loves college students more than we do, but they’re not qualified to assist with a student’s college admissions essays. Most students, even at the graduate level, are mere years (sometimes months!) away from having written what was likely their first-ever attempt at college essay writing. Many competing firms hire college students because they are, frankly, inexpensive—especially compared to true experts with many years of professional writing, editing, and teaching experience. We don’t even consider it.

5) DON’T trust essay experts “reviewing” other essay experts.

This may sound bizarre, but we’ve seen this more than we care to think about. Since the college essay advising field has been flooded with self-purported “experts,” some services employ less-than-savory promotional tactics, including fake reviews of themselves and other companies. Lean on your media literacy and assess the validity of sources before you buy into the advice.

6) DON’T trust guarantees.

No one can guarantee a student’s admission to any given institution, unless something truly shady is going on behind the scenes. It’s just not possible. Any service that claims to be able to do so is not telling the truth and could be lying/exaggerating about other elements of their offerings.

7) DON’T hire someone who offers to write the essays themselves.

We don’t have to tell you why this is a terrible idea, right? We believe a student should be proud of the applications they submit. And the only way to ensure that is to uphold strong ethical standards and guide students in a way that best showcases their true abilities. Authenticity is key. Also, for what it’s worth, we’ve read some of these essays, and very few of them are detailed and unique enough to make an impression on admissions. Even fewer read like they were written by teenagers.

Now, to what you should do:

1) do  look for consultants with teaching experience..

Connecting with a student is essential to the advising process, and not all applicants are immediate open books. Consultants with teaching experience have an ace up their sleeve—they often have experience with coaxing students out of their shells. Our essay advising services are also not just geared toward the drafting of a winning final product. We offer extensive advice on ideation, content generation, narrative flow, story structure, and so much more. And we have taught these skills to teenagers in various contexts, including the classroom and private tutoring.

2) DO look for companies with a substantial track record.

We here at College Essay Advisors started mentoring students on how to write the college essay before this industry palpably existed. Truly. CEA’s Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, has worked with students on thousands upon thousands of college essays and has spent two decades forging relationships with related experts in the field. You don’t want someone guessing how to help you stand out to admissions or hypothesizing what admissions might respond to. Our team has rigorous hiring qualifications, and everyone who works for us has at least 5+ years of experience in college essay advising. 

3) DO hire a coach with experience working on a wide range of applications, from top-tier and Ivy League schools to state schools and lesser-known liberal arts colleges.

It is impossible to hone your essay advising and editing chops without being aware of overarching trends in the industry—and Harvard isn’t the only school that sets the tone for application essay requirements and objectives. Experience with advising students on applications across the spectrum provides deep insight into and perspective on what admissions committees value.

4) DO ask about consultant training methods .

How did a purported essay expert acquire their expertise? Does everyone at the company you’re considering employ the same methodology? Is their training method legitimate and comprehensive? Do they have a training program at all?

5) DO ask about their process.

Is a consultant offering one-on-one help? Are the number of calls or sessions restricted? What about rounds of editing and feedback? Do they provide in-depth guidance during the writing process or do they leave students to struggle with an empty page? Make sure the company you’re entrusting with this process has standardized processes that feel approachable and attainable within the given time frame. And be mindful about how experts label themselves. A “college essay editor” who corrects grammatical inaccuracies is not the same as an advisor, consultant, or expert who helps a student think through strategy, content, and messaging.  

6) DO go with your gut.

Call the service in question and talk to the people who work there. Do you enjoy speaking to them? Will your kids like them? College essay advising—at least the way we do it at CEA—is an in-depth process, involving the building of a trusting relationship. It often requires a generous amount of back and forth (depending on student needs, of course). Find college essay tutors you warm to on a visceral level and who you believe a student will connect with as well.

An important note: We here at CEA pride ourselves on honest assessments of a student’s needs and goals. If potential clients don’t need our services or are better served elsewhere, we will always tell them the truth. We care about what’s best for all students. What’s best for you also happens to be best for us, because it means we can reliably meet your expectations and ensure you are satisfied with our services.

We hope the above information was helpful and wish you the best of luck in your search for the best college essay advising service. If, after reading the tips above, you believe that service is us, feel free to CONTACT US !

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Category: Admissions , advice

Tags: admissions essay assistance , admissions essay help , college essay advising , college essay assistance , college essay coaches , college essay experts , college essay help , college essay mentors , college essay tutors

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Our #1 goal is to help students gain access to their top U.S. college choices. We achieve this through customized, designed-for-success college application consulting packages that match a student’s unique needs and goals. Ready to see what Empowerly’s college application consulting can do for you? Get started today with a free 30-minute consultation with a college admissions counselor. Stay on track with college admissions counseling, build confidence, and get into your top U.S. colleges with Empowerly.

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Best College Admissions Consultants of 2024

Despite the growing rate of tuition, more people are attending college out of high school than ever before. And with this increased number of attendees comes greater competition for the limited number of spots available at each institution. That’s why thousands of college applicants have sought the help of professional college admissions consultants to ensure they are as competitive and attractive as they can be as applicants.

These days, there’s a lot more to college admissions than your GPA and SAT scores. Most colleges use a ‘holistic’ admissions process, meaning they consider many parts of a prospective student’s application, including test scores, GPA, high school course load, application essay, extracurricular activities, community service, work history, and much more. In short, meeting college admission requirements isn’t as easy as reaching a certain test score—there’s much more to it than that.

And while it’s certainly possible to be admitted to your top undergraduate school by approaching the admissions process on your own, your chances are significantly higher if you enlist the help of professional college admissions consultants . In this guide, we’ll go over everything you need to know about the services provided by college admissions consultants, what to look for and expect in a consultant, and our picks for the top college admissions consultants available.

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1. Admissionado: Best College Admissions Consultants

OVERALL RATING: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Founded in 2007 by two college friends, Admissionado has quickly become one of the top college admissions consulting firms around, and they rank number one in our list for a variety of reasons. Perhaps the most significant factor for us is their no-nonsense approach to college admissions. Admissionado consultants are honest and upfront about what they can offer their clients.

One unique aspect of Admissionado’s services is the way they divide their work among experts. Rather than having a single consultant manage all aspects of a client’s services, they instead have a team of consultants that work in their areas of expertise. For instance, one person might help you with your applications, while another person who is more well-versed in writing will work with you on your essays. This way, you get the best person for each job, though there are head consultants that will work with students one-on-one. With that in mind, it’s no surprise their essay preparation and editing, interview prep, and customer service are second-to-none.

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LEARN MORE ABOUT ADMISSIONADO

2. Prep Expert: Top College Admissions Consultants

Students and families who use Prep Expert’s college admissions consulting services will be getting a serious deal. These consulting packages come bundled with ACT and SAT courses, a huge plus, in addition to elite private tutoring options. Even without the added value, the team at Prep Expert provides the absolute highest quality admissions consulting expertise. The team is headed by Akbar Rahel, Esq., an admissions expert with nearly 25 years of experience at the undergraduate and graduate levels across a range of disciplines.

With Prep Expert’s college consulting programs, students may choose options with 25, 40, or 60 hours of admissions consulting services. Students and families may begin as early as 7 th grade. A custom package is also available for families interested in more hours and advisory options.

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Prep Expert Featured Consultants:

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Prep Expert Admissions Experience:

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LEARN MORE ABOUT PREP EXPERT

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3. princeton review college admissions consultants.

What do colleges look for when it comes to admissions? Is it high grades, a great essay, or extracurricular activities? A Princeton Review Admissions Consultant will help you get a better understanding of the college admissions process and know exactly what your application needs. They are #1 at getting high school students into top colleges, and over 96% of students give a 5-star rating.

77% of Princeton Review’s College Admissions Counseling students enroll at one of their top three colleges.

They are well known for publishing college rankings to help prospective applicants decide where they should apply. With over 30 years of publishing, they have an eye for detail that will allow you to focus on your future while we handle the rest.

Whether you’re looking for guidance through admissions or just want advice on what courses to take next semester, they have the answers you’re looking for. Princeton offers different admissions packages tailored to you from Freshmen year, Sophomore, Junior and Senior. They are also one of the only providers that offer on-demand options, making it easy to prepare on your own schedule. This also allows you to save quite a bit considering the on-demand pricing is generally 1/3 the full featured option.

Either way they are here to help guide you toward a bright future full of possibilities – so don’t hesitate; check out their college admissions consulting options today!

Princeton Review Features:

• – 7 online consultations with your college admissions team
• – 20–25 institutions on a customized college list based on your profile and interests
• – 2-3 revisions of your personal statement in writing
• – 2 rounds of written revisions on the supplementary essays for admission to five institutions written revisions to the application form for your best pick
• – Through their admissions dashboard, you’ll have direct access to a College Coach
• – After submitting your application, you can get assistance with interview preparation, deferrals, waitlists, and choosing a college.

Princeton Review Admissions Experience:

• – Harvard University
• – Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• – Columbia University
• – University of Pennsylvania
• – Duke University
• – Dartmouth College
• – Brown University
• – Vanderbilt University
• + Many More!

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4. accepted: top college admissions counselors.

Accepted has been around since 1994, so they have considerable experience with college admissions. But it’s not the experience of the consulting firm that really impressed us; rather, it’s Accepted’s focus on one-on-one, personalized consulting.

Another benefit from going with Accepted is their various other consulting services, which go beyond just undergraduate admissions consulting. You can use Accepted’s top-notch consultant team when applying to medical school, law school, business school, or any other graduate program.

Accepted Featured Consultants:

• Natalie Epstein: Dean of Admissions, degree from the University of Michigan
• Marie Todd: Admissions Specialist, degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison

Accepted Staff Admissions Experience:

• University of Michigan
• University of North Carolina
• Michigan State University
• Cornell University

5. A-List Education: College Admissions Consulting Services

A-List Education has been around for over 15 years, and offers various educational services like test prep programs, homeschool services, and private tutoring and college advising. When it comes to college consulting, A-List has a unique catalogue of packages that come in three different varieties: college advising & application packages, college advising & tutoring packages, or hourly advising & tutoring packages. These packages are differentiated by the number of hours of consulting that they provide and how many schools a student can apply to, but the services that you can take advantage of within those limits are expansive.

With the amount of variety that A-List provides in terms of package options, students are highly likely to get a custom-tailored service that matches their specific consulting needs. Budget-friendly options are available a la carte through hourly packages, while bundle packages that combine college advising with application or tutoring services can give you more value-for-money if you need to accomplish a variety of tasks.

A-List Featured Consultants:

• Rachel Flynn: Honors Harvard graduate, former admissions reader for NYU
• Kate Manire: Degree from Vanderbilt University, International admissions and visual arts specialist, over 10 years of experience

A-List Admissions Experience:

• New York University
• Rice University
• University of Southern California

6. Top Tier Admissions: College Counseling Services

If it’s experience and expertise you’re after, it’s hard to beat Top Tier Admissions. While not as large as some of the other firms on this list, Top Tier has a proven track record of success in getting students admitted to their top-choice schools. Top Tier has been around for 20 years, and their leadership and consultants have direct experience working in admissions offices at top universities in the US.

In comparison to other undergraduate admission consultants on our list, this team doesn’t have quite as much experience working directly inside admissions departments, but that hasn’t stopped the team from becoming one of the most successful consulting firms out there.

Top Tier Admissions Featured Consultants:

• Kristen Willmott: Admissions and Financial Aid Officer, degrees from the University of Rochester and Ithaca College
• Brian Feldman: Business and Policy Analyst, studied at Washington University, Harvard University and the University of Oxford

Top Tier Staff Admissions Experience:

• Dartmouth College

7. College Coach: Admissions Counselors

College Coach, founded in 1998, takes a truly student-focused approach to their admissions services. Their philosophy is that focusing on their clients’ unique goals, strengths, and accomplishments is the best way to get them accepted into top educational programs and universities. And we agree. College Coach emphasizes that the key to college admissions isn’t trying to be like everyone else, but rather is about making yourself stand out from the crowd by amplifying what makes you special.

One thing to watch out for, though, is that College Coach doesn’t offer cheaper a la carte services for students who need help with only one aspect of their college admissions services. To make use of College Coach’s insight into undergrad admissions, you’ll need to shell out enough money for their more expensive and comprehensive consultant packages.

College Coach Featured Consultants:

• Amy Alexander: College Advisor, degree from Yale University
• Sarah Calvert-Kubrom: Educational Administrator, degree from Lewis & Clark College

College Coach Staff Admissions Experience:

• Northwestern University
• Reed College
• Swarthmore College
• Babson College
• Goucher College

8. Varsity Tutors: Best Consultant for Ivy League Admissions

Started in 2001 by a group of Ivy League students, Varsity Tutors is one of the most successful college admissions consultant firms around. Part of this success has a lot to do with the high-achievers they hire as consultants. Indeed, Varsity Tutors consultants have all earned test scores in the 99th percentile! On top of that, each Varsity Tutors college consultant has actual experience working in admissions at a top college, giving them insider knowledge of Ivy League admission requirements for institutions around the country. This all shows that the consultants at Varsity Tutors have the personal experience to back up their claims of expertise in elite college admissions. What’s more, since 2002, Varsity Tutors has helped over 300,000 students get accepted to their dream schools . You can’t argue with results!

Varsity Tutors Featured Consultants:

• Jessie Hill: Dean at Yale University, Writer, degrees from Barnard College and Columbia University
• Ruben Alonzo: Educator, degrees from MIT, Harvard University and Columbia University

Varsity Tutors Staff Admissions Experience:

• Princeton University
• College of William and Mary
• Smith College
• UC – Berkeley
• Duke University
• + moreVarsity Tutors

9. PrepScholar: College Admissions Consultants

PrepScholar is well-known thanks to their prep courses for tests like the SAT, ACT, and GMAT, to name a few, and the quality and expertise they’ve developed for those services carries over to their college admission consulting. They don’t offer as many a la carte options as you’ll find with other companies on our list, but their essay editing and full essay packages are some of the most affordable ones on our list. PrepScholar’s cheapest essay service, their Essay Editing package, can provide you with expert-level revision for as low as $195!

When compared to other top undergrad consulting firms, PrepScholar may not have quite as much in-depth admissions administration experience. Still, they have plenty of experience in the higher education admissions field thanks to the years they’ve spent providing test prep services to students. On top of that, their staff includes an expert group of students from top-tier colleges and universities that each have stellar standardized test scores. All this makes PrepScholar a good option for those seeking affordable a la carte services or guidance from consultants that really know their way around the world of standardized testing.

PrepScholar Featured Consultants:

• Anna Wulick: Educator, degrees from Princeton University and Columbia University
• Eric C.: Historian and Educator, degree from Harvard University, studies at the University of Cambridge

Elite Advantage Prep Admissions Experience:

10. elite advantage prep: college admission consulting firm.

Elite Advantage Prep is a small, but growing, college admissions consulting firm. Among the many excellent aspects of Elite Advantage is their personalized service and variety of consulting package options. In fact, they have a package for every high school grade, so you can find the perfect package for where you’re at in your college admissions journey.

The young age of this business, combined with their small consultant team, make Elite Advantage Prep a bit less experienced overall than other major college consulting firms on this list. Even so, they offer great options for personalization through their a la carte services, which let you purchase just the college counseling services that you need without spending extra money on things you don’t.

Elite Advantage Prep Featured Consultants:

• Anna Ren: Admissions Strategist, degree from Georgetown University
• Fadhal Moore: Educator, studied at Harvard University and Georgetown University
• Georgetown University

Other Top College Admissions Consulting Options

While most college admissions consultants didn’t make our list, they are certainly deserving of honorable mention status. Here are other top college admissions consultants you should also consider when weighing your options:

11. Anna Ivey Consulting

Anna Ivey Consulting stands out with its founder, Anna Ivey, a former Dean of Admissions at the University of Chicago Law School. Her unique perspective from inside the admissions office offers clients an invaluable edge in the college application process.

12. Solomon Admissions Consulting

Solomon Admissions Consulting is known for its team of former admissions officers from Ivy League and other top-tier universities. Their insider knowledge of the admissions process helps students craft college applications that resonate with elite institutions.

13. Shemmassian Academic Consulting

Shemmassian stands out for its focus on helping students with learning disabilities navigate the college admissions process, ensuring that all students have the opportunity to achieve their academic goals.

14. Spark Admissions

Spark Admissions offers a unique, team-based approach to college consulting. Each student is matched with a team of consultants who collaborate to provide comprehensive support throughout the admissions process.

15. InGenius Prep

InGenius Prep sets itself apart with its global perspective. Founded by former college admissions officers from Yale and Harvard, the team has experience with international admissions, helping students around the world gain acceptance to top US colleges.

16. Veritas Prep

Veritas Prep is unique in its focus on test preparation. Their admissions consultants also specialize in helping students achieve high scores on standardized tests, an important component of the college application process.

17. AcceptU

AcceptU stands out with its team of former admissions officers from highly selective universities. They offer virtual consulting services, making high-quality admissions advice accessible to students everywhere.

18. College Transitions

College Transitions is unique in its commitment to providing affordable, high-quality college admissions counseling services. They offer a range of packages to suit different budgets, ensuring that all students can access the support they need.

19. Signet Education

Signet Education offers a unique, holistic approach to college consulting. In addition to application support, they offer academic tutoring and coaching to help students thrive in high school and beyond.

20. CollegeWise

CollegeWise stands out for its collaborative approach. Their consultants work closely with students and families, building strong relationships that foster a positive, stress-free college admissions experience.

21. Expert Admissions

Expert Admissions is unique in its personalized approach to college consulting. They take the time to get to know each student’s individual strengths, interests, and goals, and tailor their advice accordingly.

22. AmerAsia Consulting Group

AmerAsia is known for its focus on business school admissions and international students. Their consultants have extensive experience in the business world, providing valuable insights for students interested in pursuing a business degree.

23. Ilumin Education

Ilumin Education stands out for its focus on helping students develop their unique “story.” They believe that a compelling personal narrative is key to a successful college application.

24. C2 Education

C2 Education is unique in its comprehensive approach to college readiness. In addition to admissions consulting, they offer test prep, tutoring, and academic support services.

25. Flex College Prep

Flex College Prep stands out for its emphasis on strategic college planning. They help students make informed decisions about course selection, extracurricular activities, and more to enhance their college applications.

26. Blue Star Admissions

Blue Star Admissions is unique in its focus on helping military families navigate the college admissions process. Their consultants understand the unique challenges and opportunities that military families face.

27. Ivy Coach

Ivy Coach is known for its expertise in Ivy League admissions. Their consultants have a deep understanding of what these elite institutions are looking for in applicants.

28. Beasley College Consulting

Beasley College Consulting, led by Rebecca Beasley, is known for its personalized, one-on-one approach to college consulting. Rebecca works directly with each student, providing tailored advice and guidance throughout the college admissions process.

29. Optimum Ed

Optimum Ed stands out for its commitment to helping students find the right college fit academically, socially, and financially. They offer a comprehensive range of services, including college search, application assistance, and financial aid guidance.

30. Prepory

Prepory is unique in its approach to each college admissions counselor, combining traditional methods with innovative technology. Their team of experienced college admissions counselors provides personalized guidance to help students navigate the college admissions process effectively.

31. Bentham Admissions

Bentham Admissions is known for its holistic approach to college counseling. They focus not only on helping students get into their dream colleges but also on ensuring they thrive once they get there.

32. Inside Admissions Consulting

Inside Admissions Consulting stands out for its team of experienced admissions consultants who have served on admissions committees at top universities. They offer personalized guidance to help students craft compelling applications.

33. Irena Smith Consulting

Irena Smith Consulting is unique in its focus on storytelling. Irena Smith, a former Stanford admissions officer, helps students craft compelling personal narratives that resonate with admissions officers.

34. HelloCollege

HelloCollege is known for its comprehensive college admissions counseling programs. They offer a range of services, from college search and application assistance to financial aid guidance and career counseling.

35. Abby Siegel

Abby Siegel stands out for her personalized approach to admissions consulting. She works closely with each student, providing tailored advice and guidance based on their unique strengths and goals.

36. Manhattan Admissions Advisors

Manhattan Admissions Advisors is unique in its focus on New York City students. Their team of experienced admissions consultants provides personalized guidance to help NYC students navigate the competitive college admissions landscape.

37. IvySelect College Consulting

IvySelect is known for its expertise in Ivy League and top-tier college admissions. Their team of experienced admission consultants provides personalized guidance to help students gain admission to these highly competitive institutions.

38. Selective College Consulting

Selective College Consulting stands out for its commitment to helping students gain admission to their top-choice colleges. They offer a range of services, from college search and application assistance to interview preparation and essay editing.

39. Quantum Prep

Quantum Prep is unique in its focus on academic preparation. In addition to admissions consulting, they offer tutoring services in a range of subjects to help students excel academically.

40. Lexicon Academics

Lexicon Academics stands out for its team of experienced admissions consultants who have served on admissions committees at top universities. They offer personalized guidance to help students craft compelling applications.

41. ForWord Consulting

ForWord Consulting is known for its comprehensive approach to college admissions counseling. They offer a range of services, from college search and application assistance to financial aid guidance and career counseling.

42. Admissions Lady

Admissions Lady stands out for its personalized approach to admissions consulting for aspiring college students. They work closely with each high school student, providing tailored advice and guidance based on their unique strengths and goals.

43. College Initiative

College Initiative is unique in its commitment to helping students from underserved communities gain admission to college. They offer a range of services, including college search, application assistance, and financial aid suggestions.

44. American College Admissions Consultants

American College Admissions Consultants stands out for its team of experienced admissions consultants who have served on admissions committees at top universities. They offer personalized guidance to help students craft compelling applications.

45. Educated Pathways

Educated Pathways is unique in its commitment to helping students find the right college fit based on their individual strengths, interests, and goals. They offer personalized guidance throughout the college admissions process, ensuring that students make informed decisions that align with their future aspirations.

46. S. Montgomery Admissions

S. Montgomery Admissions stands out for its founder, Sarah Montgomery, a former admissions officer at Stanford University. Her insider knowledge of the admissions process provides students with a unique advantage when applying to top-tier colleges and universities.

47. DC College Counseling

DC College Counseling is known for its comprehensive approach to college admissions counseling. They offer a range of services, from college search and application assistance to financial aid guidance and career counseling, ensuring that students are well-prepared for their college journey.

48. The College Advisor of NY

The College Advisor of NY stands out for its personalized, one-on-one approach to college admissions consulting. They work closely with each student, providing tailored advice and guidance based on their unique strengths and goals.

49. College Zoom

College Zoom is unique in its focus on helping students find the right college fit based on their individual strengths, interests, and goals. They offer personalized guidance throughout the college admissions process, ensuring that students make informed decisions that align with their future aspirations.

50. Command Education

Command Education stands out for its team of experienced admissions consultants who have served on admissions committees at top universities. They offer personalized guidance to help students craft compelling applications.

Advantages of Hiring College Admissions Counseling Services

Navigating the college admissions process can be a complex and stressful journey. This is where the expertise of admissions counseling services comes into play. Engaging the top college admissions consultants provides a multitude of benefits to both high school students and parents. Here are some of the key advantages:

Personalized Guidance and Feedback

Every student is unique, with their own set of strengths, weaknesses, and aspirations. Top college admissions consultants recognize this and provide personalized guidance tailored to each student’s specific needs. They work closely with students, providing constructive feedback on various aspects of the application process, including essay writing, interview preparation, and more. This personalized attention can significantly boost a student’s confidence, helping them present their best self to college admissions officers.

Stress Reduction

The college admissions process can be overwhelming, often causing significant stress for students and their families. A college admissions counselor can alleviate much of this stress by providing expert guidance and support throughout the process. They can help manage deadlines, organize application materials, and provide reassurance when the process seems daunting. This support can make the entire experience more manageable and less stressful.

Enhanced Success

One of the primary benefits of hiring a college admissions coach is the potential for increased success in gaining admission to desired colleges. College admission consultants have a deep understanding of what colleges are looking for and can help students present themselves in the best possible light. They can help students highlight their strengths, address their weaknesses, and craft compelling narratives in their college application essays . All these factors enhance a student’s chances of standing out in the competitive admissions process.

Expert Knowledge and Insights

College admissions advisors bring a wealth of knowledge and insights to the table. They are well-versed in the intricacies of the college admissions process and stay updated on the latest trends and changes. This expertise allows them to provide students with valuable advice, such as which colleges might be a good fit for their goals and interests, what specific officers might be looking for, and how to navigate financial aid and scholarship opportunities.

Time Management and Organization

With multiple applications to complete, each with its own set of requirements and deadlines, staying organized can be a challenge for students. College admission consultants can help students manage their time effectively, ensuring they meet all deadlines and complete every part of the application process in a timely manner. They can help students prioritize their applications, ensuring they focus their efforts on the colleges they are most interested in.

Long-Term Skill Development

Working with a college admissions advisor can also help students develop valuable skills that will benefit them beyond the college admissions process. These include time management, organizational skills, effective communication, and self-reflection. These skills are not only useful for succeeding in college but also in future career and personal endeavors.

How We’ve Ranked the Best College Admissions Consultants

After reviewing the top admissions consultants, we have ranked them based on the following criteria.

While experience isn’t the most significant factor for us, we did take it into consideration. While we think even newer college admission consultants at companies like Admissionado and Elite Advantage Prep can do just as good a job as many of the more established firms, there’s no denying that having college admissions industry experience is a major help.

Matchmaking Process

When it comes to matching you with a college admissions consultant, each consultant firm has its own process. This is key to your success when working with an admissions consultant, and there are pros and cons to every approach.

For instance, with larger college admissions consultant firms, you get the benefit of knowing that there is a large enough staff to provide you with the personalized support you need. On the other hand, smaller consultant firms may be able to offer even more individual support because they have smaller client loads.

Either way, it’s important that you do your research when it comes to each firm’s matchmaking process. Some college admissions consulting firms take a team-based approach to consulting, which has many benefits, like specialized expertise in different areas of the application process. This also has some downsides, like the possibility of feeling like you’re ‘lost in the shuffle’ or like you aren’t getting the one-on-one support you’re looking for.

Ultimately, we gave greater preference for firms, large or small, that connect you with a single, dedicated consultant who also has the support of the entire firm’s team.

Is Unlimited Truly Unlimited?

While nearly all college admissions consultant firms provide some kind of ‘unlimited package,’ some put caps on the amount of time the consultant spends with a given client, or the amount of schools you can apply to without additional cost. This is usually the result of the firm only paying each consultant by the contract, rather than by time spent. Of course, for us, we have given more weight to those firms that offer truly unlimited and comprehensive packages, as well as those that are upfront about the time they can devote to each client.

Top-Tier Admissions Committee Representation

We have given some measure of preference to those college admissions consultant firms that staff consultants with top-tier admissions committee experience. While this wasn’t a major factor—after all, one doesn’t need to actually serve on admissions committees to be a good consultant—it is something that we considered, and those firms with top-tier representation were given extra consideration in our rankings.

Limits on Consultant Load

Due to the nature of the college admissions calendar—as most college applications are due at the same time of year—we have given special consideration to the limits on consultant load. We wanted to be sure that any college admissions consultant we recommend is able to provide as much attention as possible for their clients, so we gave firms a higher ranking if they show evidence that they limit each consultant’s client load.

Team vs. Individual Approach

As we’ve mentioned above, we believe the best system for a college admissions consultant firm is one that matches clients with a dedicated consultant who is backed by a larger team. This way, you’ll get the one-on-one interaction and personal relationship that is so key to this kind of service, as well as the specific expertise offered by a larger team effort.

Additional Resources

Who doesn’t like bonus content? We’ve given extra preference to those consulting firms that offer useful resources outside the boilerplate stuff you get from every consultant firm. These are things like interactive web platforms, special ‘boot camps,’ and other innovative approaches that can help you get where you want to be.

Free Consultation

Because of the nature of college admissions consulting, we placed a considerable emphasis on firms that offer a free consultation. We simply had a hard time justifying ranking many firms who don’t offer such a free consultation.

After all, how can you (and the consultant) know if the relationship is going to be productive if they just take your money upfront before they know anything about you? We simply think that the free initial consultation is one of the most important things any firm can offer because it will get all parties involved on the same page from the outset.

What We’ve Left Out

Self-reported success rates.

In the interest of providing quality, unbiased rankings of college admissions consultants, we have left out any mention of self-reported success rates. While we certainly don’t believe that the self-reported success rates of our picks are necessarily in dispute, we felt it would be more useful to provide our own analysis, unskewed by the rates the firms themselves advertise.

Decoding the Role of College Admissions Consultants

College admissions consultants, often referred to as college admissions counselors, are instrumental in guiding students through the college admissions process. They offer valuable insights into everything from high school course selection to standardized test preparation, and even assist with the intricacies of the college application process.

Their goal is to optimize students’ chances of gaining admission into their preferred schools. Some college admission consultants specialize in Ivy League schools, while others adopt a more comprehensive approach, evaluating student abilities and aligning students with quality institutions where they are likely to excel.

Personalized Services: A Key Offering of Top College Admissions Consultants

The best college admissions consultants understand that every student is unique and requires personalized guidance. They offer a wide range of services, including college advising and tutoring, college advisory and application assistance, and even hourly services for specific needs. Recognizing the financial constraints of some families, college admissions counselors also provide budget-friendly options for hourly packages.

Insider Insight: A Valuable Asset in the College Admissions Process

Engaging a college admissions consulting firm provides students with insider insights into school selection and maximizing performance on standardized testing. These firms can alleviate the apprehensions of parents and students about the college admissions process. Armed with guidance, educational expertise, and the right knowledge, students can significantly enhance their undergraduate opportunities.

Extracurricular Activities: A Vital Component of College Admissions

Colleges seek a diverse pool of applicants and value well-rounded students with interests beyond academics. This is why high school extracurriculars play a crucial role in the college admissions process. These activities allow students to explore their interests and hobbies outside of school, helping them discover their passions, which can guide their choice of major.

College Admissions Consultant Alternatives

If you’ve decided that you don’t want to hire a college admissions consultant—either because you don’t think there’s enough value in it for you, or it’s simply too expensive for your budget—there are several other options you might consider as alternatives that could also increase your chances of getting accepted to your top-choice schools.

First, reach out to school alumni for advice. After all, these are the people who have been where you are now and got in! You’d be surprised at the kinds of valuable insight you can get from school alumni.

Next, seek out current and former admissions officers. While current admissions officers probably won’t offer you much help, if you can find a former officer, they might have some good tips and advice on how to make yourself a more competitive applicant.

Finally, if the all-inclusive college admissions consultants packages are too expensive for you, consider looking into the a la carte options available from many of the firms we’ve listed. This is a good way to get some help and advice on just the things you need assistance with, without having to shell out tons of cash for the comprehensive packages.

FAQs on College Admissions Consultants

What is a college admissions consultant.

Simply put, a college admissions consultant is an individual or organization that you hire to assist you with the college admissions process . Services vary from consultant to consultant, but they all share the same goal: to get their clients admitted to their top-choice schools. Often, they’ll help you with your college admission essays , overall application, and resumes—many offer interview preparation services and coaching as well. Though there has been some negative press recently about college admissions coaches, the truth is that the vast majority of them are reputable organizations that operate ethically, with the sole focus of helping applicants reach their educational goals. Indeed, the consultants we’ve included in this guide have strong reputations and are not the sort of bad actors that have dominated the news in the past couple of years.

Who Should Hire a College Admissions Consultant?

The short answer is simple: anyone who wants to have an edge in the college admissions process ! The long answer is, of course, a bit more complex. For starters, hiring a college admissions consultant isn’t exactly cheap. So, one of the first things you need to consider when deciding whether or not to hire an admissions consultant is your budget. Can you afford to hire one? While cost is probably the single biggest factor to consider, another important thing to take into account is the amount of time you have to devote to working with a college admissions consultant. While these consultants work hard to help you get where you want to be, it will require a significant investment of your own time and energy as well. You’ll need to find the time to work with them on your essays, resume, interview prep, and much more. So, if you’re already pretty swamped with school and extracurricular activities, be sure you can carve out the time to work with a consultant before you hire one. It may sound like a lot of extra work, but the reality is admissions consultants can help remove much of the stress involved in applying to graduate programs. That said, there are many people who should seriously consider hiring a college admissions consultant. You might be one of them if you have clear, practical goals, have seriously considered your options, and are committed to following through with the college admissions process and getting the most out of the services consultants provide.

Will a College Admissions Consultant Get Me Into a Top School?

One thing you should not expect from a college admissions consultant is a miracle. Admissions consultants can only do so much with what they’re given. So, if your grades or test scores are sub-par, you might want to consider that before hiring an admissions consultant since there’s nothing a consultant can do to change that. The fact is, no matter how gifted the admissions consultant is, they can’t guarantee that you’ll be admitted to your dream school. That being said, if you are reasonable in your expectations and are committed to working diligently with your admissions consultant, you can seriously boost your chances of getting offers from top schools.

How Can a College Admissions Consultant Help Improve My Application?

A college admissions consultant can help improve your application by providing insights into what colleges are looking for in applicants. They can help you highlight your strengths, address any weaknesses, and craft a compelling narrative that sets you apart from other applicants. They can also provide feedback on your essays and help you prepare for interviews.

What Factors Should I Consider When Choosing A College Admissions Consultant?

When choosing a college admissions coach, consider their experience, success rate, and the services they offer. Look for a consultant who has a deep understanding of the college admissions process and a track record of helping students get into their desired colleges. Also, consider whether they offer services that match your specific needs, such as essay editing, interview coaching, or financial aid advice.

How Does a College Admissions Consultant Support Students Throughout the Application Process?

A college admissions consultant supports students throughout the application process by providing personalized advice and guidance. They help students understand the requirements of different colleges, develop a strategic application plan, craft compelling essays, and prepare for interviews. They also provide support and reassurance during this often stressful time.

Can a College Admissions Consultant Help With Scholarship Applications?

Yes, many college admissions consultants can also provide assistance with scholarship applications. They can help you identify suitable scholarships, understand the application requirements, and craft strong application materials. They can also provide advice on how to write compelling scholarship essays.

What is the Benefit of Hiring a College Admissions Consultant?

Hiring a college admissions consultant can provide several benefits. They can save you time by helping you navigate the complex college admissions process more efficiently. They can also increase your chances of getting into your desired colleges by helping you present your strengths effectively and avoid common application mistakes. Additionally, they can provide valuable insights into what colleges are looking for in applicants.

How Can a College Admissions Consultant Help With Essay Writing?

A college admissions coach can provide valuable assistance with essay writing. They can help you understand what colleges are looking for in application essays, brainstorm ideas, develop a strong narrative, and refine your writing. They can also provide feedback on your drafts and help you polish your essays to perfection.

What is the Process of Working With a College Admissions Consultant?

The process of working with a college admissions consultant typically begins with an initial consultation to discuss your goals and needs. The consultant then develops a personalized plan to guide you through the college application process. This plan may include identifying suitable colleges, developing application strategies, preparing for standardized tests, writing essays, and preparing for interviews. The consultant provides ongoing support and feedback throughout the process.

What Services Do College Admissions Consultants Offer?

College admissions consultants offer a range of services, from essay help to a complete package that guides students through the entire application process. They can also provide advice on choosing the right courses and extracurricular activities to enhance a student’s application.

How Can a College Admissions Consultant Improve a Student’s Chances of Acceptance?

Admissions consultants can help students present themselves effectively in their applications and essays, highlighting their strengths, potential, and commitment to their chosen field of study. They can also assist with test preparation and academic planning to improve grades and test scores.

When Should a Student Start Working With a College Admissions Consultant?

It’s never too early to start planning for college. Some students begin working with a consultant while they are still a sophomore in high school, while others start as a junior or senior. This allows them to make strategic academic and extracurricular choices that will strengthen their college applications.

Can a College Admissions Consultant Help With Applications to Colleges Outside of the United States?

Yes, many college admissions consultants are equipped to assist with applications to colleges and universities both in the United States and abroad. They can provide insight into international students’ specific requirements and expectations in different educational systems.

What Is the Cost of Hiring a College Admissions Consultant?

The cost of hiring a college admissions consultant can vary widely depending on the range of services provided. Some consultants offer a free initial consultation and various pricing options to suit different budgets.

Top College Admission Consultants of 2024

Bryce Welker is an active speaker, blogger, and regular contributor to Forbes, Inc.com, and Business.com where he shares his knowledge to help others boost their careers.  Bryce is the founder of more than 20 test prep websites that help students and professionals pass their certification exams.

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73 Best Colleges Without Supplemental Essays – 2024

May 27, 2024

When college application season arrives, it’s easy for students to become overwhelmed about the essays. There’s the personal statement , which many students have a general idea about, and then there are the supplemental essays. Supplemental essays can cover a range of college-specific prompts that help the colleges better understand why you’d be a great fit . Due to how personal and varied the supplemental essays can be, students often end up spending weeks, if not months, writing them.

However, across the country, there are colleges that do not require supplemental essays at all. For some students, applying to colleges without supplemental essays can make the overall application process much smoother. Benefits include experiencing less stress in their application preparation and diversifying prospective colleges while focusing more on their priority schools. Sometimes, though, these schools do ask for program-specific essays or optional essays, depending on the applicant.

Best Colleges without Supplemental Essays

1) albion college.

At Albion College, the application essay is not required, but it is recommended. Students are encouraged to provide any more details that they believe the admissions team should consider.

2) Allegheny College

As noted on their website, Allegheny College has not required the supplemental essay since their 2013-2014 application cycle. Students will find more essay questions in the Member Questions section of the Common Application.

3) Augusta University

Augusta University joins the list of colleges without supplemental essays as they do not require a personal essay at all. They do still require SAT or ACT scores and GPA.

4) Bates College

Since 1984, Bates College has not required SAT Subject Tests or ACT scores in their applications. There is an optional arts supplement for students who are applying to study art, creative writing, dance, film, music, and theater.

5) Case Western Reserve University

At Case Western Reserve University, the Common Application personal essay is required. However, if you’re applying to the Pre-Professional Scholars Program, then you’ll have to write supplemental essays.

Best Colleges Without Supplemental Essays (Continued)

6) clemson university.

Clemson University does not require students to complete a personal essay with the Common or Coalition Application. There is also a test-optional policy that may appeal to some students.

7) Coe College

At Coe College, the personal essay is optional for students who meet the college’s minimum academic standards. Coe College joins the list of colleges without supplemental essays that also have a test-optional policy.

8) Colby College

Colby College accepts the Common Application, Coalition Application, and QuestBridge Application, and they do not have any additional writing supplements. Test scores are optional for applicants at Colby College, and there is no application fee.

9) Colgate University

Colgate University is one of the colleges without supplemental essays required, but there is the option to write them. As stated on their website, “These prompts are not meant to feel like essays; they are simply an added perspective.

10) College of the Holy Cross

College of the Holy Cross does not require supplemental essays, but the following are optional: personal interview, SAT or ACT scores, and supplementary materials.

11) Denison University

Denison University joins this list of colleges without supplemental essays. Their website states that they wish to provide “equal access” to a Denison education, and they are also test-optional.

12) DePaul University

For first-year student applicants at DePaul University, personal essays are not required but optional. They have also been a test-optional university since 2012.

13) Dillard University

Dillard University is the oldest HBCU in Louisiana and is one of the colleges with no supplemental essay requirements. However, if students do not meet the minimum GPA and standardized test score requirements, then they must submit two letters of recommendation and a personal statement.

14) Drew University

At Drew University, a personal statement is required, along with a counselor evaluation, teacher evaluation, and high school transcript.

15) Drexel University

Drexel University joins the list of colleges without supplemental essays. They do require all students to complete the 250 to 650 essay on the Common or Coalition Application. However, the short answer question is optional.

16) Fairleigh Dickinson University

At Fairleigh Dickinson University, all essays, résumés, and recommendations are optional.

17) Florida Gulf Coast University

The only essay required by Florida Gulf Coast University is a two-page personal essay that discusses academic performance, special talents, and what the student can contribute to the campus.

18) Florida State University

Although Florida State University is one of the colleges without supplemental essays, students should invest time into the Common Application personal statement.

19) Fordham University

At Fordham University, the Common Application essay is required, but there are also optional writing sections. If students choose not to write in these sections, they will not be penalized.

20) Franklin and Marshall College

Franklin and Marshall College joins this list of colleges without supplemental essays. They do require the personal essay in the Common Application, as well as standardized test scores, recommendations and other materials.

21) Furman University

At Furman University, first-year applicants do not need to submit a personal essay, and they are also test-optional.

22) Gannon University

Gannon University does not require students to submit a personal statement. It is optional but recommended for students to submit a statement. However, it is required for LECOM 4+4 Medical Program applicants.

23) Gettysburg College

Although Gettysburg College joins the list of colleges without supplemental essays, it does require a personal statement on the Common Application.

24) Grinnell College

Grinnell College does not require supplemental essays and it also does not have an application fee. Standardized test scores are also optional.

25) Hamilton College

Although Hamilton College joins this list of colleges without supplemental essays, the optional essays are still encouraged.

26) Hampshire College

Hampshire College only requires supplemental essays from international students applying as first-year or transfer students.

27) Hanover College

Hanover College states on their website that the essay or personal statement is optional, alongside test scores, letters of recommendation and résumé.

28) Hollins University

At Hollins University, for first-year students no personal statement is required and standardized test scores are optional.

29) Howard University

Howard University requires students to complete the Common Application essay and there is one optional supplemental essay.

30) Indiana University – Bloomington

Students applying to Indiana University – Bloomington must write the one essay in the Common Application or through Apply IU.

31) Kent State University

At Kent State University, first-year students are not required to submit a personal essay or a letter of recommendation. Test scores are also optional.

32) Kenyon College

Kenyon College joins this list as it is one of the colleges without supplemental essays. For first-year and transfer students, test scores are optional and flexible.

33) Louisiana State University

Louisiana State University does require the Common Application personal statement, but as of its most recent admissions cycle, no supplemental essay is required.

34) Mercer University

At Mercer University, applicants who wish to be test-optional must complete the supplemental essays. They must also have a 3.5 GPA and letter of recommendation.

35) Miami University

Miami University, not to be confused with the University of Miami, requires the Common App personal statement but not the supplemental essays.

36) Michigan State University

Michigan State University requires students to write only one essay on the MSU application, Common Application or Coalition Application.

37) Middlebury College

Middlebury College is one of the best colleges without supplemental essays. They do still require the personal statement on the Common Application.

38) Muhlenberg College

Muhlenberg College requires students to submit the personal essay but no other supplemental essays.

39) New College of Florida

New College of Florida is one of the many colleges with no supplemental essays. However, they do still require a personal statement.

40) New Jersey Institute of Technology

New Jersey Institute of Technology only requires a personal statement included in the Common Application. There is no supplemental essay requirement.

41) New York Institute of Technology

Students applying to the New York Institute of Technology are required to write a 300 to 350 word essay as their only essay. They may require test-optional applicants to submit a graded essay.

42) Northeastern University

Northeastern is one of the best colleges without a supplemental essay requirement. They do require a personal statement, alongside other materials.

43) Nova Southeastern University

At Nova Southeastern University, the essay is entirely optional, and students can self-report their test scores.

44) Oberlin College

Oberlin requires a personal statement, but does not require any supplemental essays.

45) Ohio State University

Ohio State University only requires a personal statement. However, they also offer a COVID-19 impact statement on the Common Application for interested students.

46) Ripon College

At Ripon College, the personal statement itself is optional for applicants, along with other materials.

47) Rhodes College

Rhodes College does not require a supplemental essay, but they have the option for students to record an optional “ Elevator Pitch .”

48) Rowan University

Rowan University requires a personal statement in the Common Application, but joins this list as a college without supplemental essays.

49) St. Lawrence University

St. Lawrence University has no supplemental essay requirement, but it still requires the personal statement essay. They are also test-optional, depending on the applicant.

50) St. Mary’s University (San Antonio)

For students applying to St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, the personal statement is only required if they choose not to submit test scores.

51) Seton Hall University

At Seton Hall University, the personal statement is required, but there are no other supplemental essays.

52) Siena College

Siena College has made the personal statement (open topic) optional for students applying.

53) Skidmore College

While Skidmore College does not require supplemental essays, students do often send in supplemental materials to further support their application.

54) Stony Brook University

At Stony Brook University, only a personal statement is required. However, students applying to the Honors, WISE, University Scholars, Scholars for Medicine, and Scholars for Dental Medicine must write supplemental essays.

55) Sewanee: The University of the South

Sewanee does not require supplemental essays and SAT/ACT scores are also optional.

56) Susquehanna University

Susquehanna University only requires supplemental essay materials for students applying to the creative writing, graphic design, studio art, and music programs.

57) Temple University

Temple University offers an optional essay as part of the Common Application for students to tell more about themselves beyond grades or test scores.

58) Union College

Union College does offer an optional supplemental essay question as part of their application.

59) University of Alabama

At the University of Alabama, essay submissions and letters of recommendation are not required but they are optional.

60) University of Albany

University of Albany joins the list as one of the colleges without supplemental essays. However, it does require a personal essay of at least 250 words on the Common Application of SUNY Application.

61) University of Arkansas

At the University of Arkansas, first-year students are not required to submit a personal essay. They accept self-reported test scores and letters of recommendation are also not required.

62) University of Arizona

Although the University of Arizona does not require an application essay, they strongly encourage students to submit the 500-word personal statement.

63) University of Cincinnati

Students applying to the University of Cincinnati are required to write the Cincinnati personal statement and the Common Application personal statement. However, there are no other required essays.

64) University of Colorado-Denver

University of Colorado-Denver requires the personal statement on the Common Application, but not other supplemental essays.

65) University of Connecticut

The University of Connecticut joins this list as one of the best colleges without supplemental essays. The university does require a personal essay on the Common Application or the Coalition Application.

66) University of Dayton

The University of Dayton does not require any supplemental essays, although it does require a personal statement. The university is also test-optional.

67) University of Denver

The University of Denver only requires the personal statement on the Common Application.

68) University of Houston

Students who apply to the University of Houston without a test score must submit a short admissions essay and extracurricular activities.

69) University of Iowa

The University of Iowa does require a personal statement as part of their application, but there is no supplemental essay requirement.

70) University of Kansas

The University of Kansas is a college without supplemental essay requirements for first-year students. However, students applying to the Honors Program or the Engineering SELF Program must submit their responses.

71) University of Kentucky

The University of Kentucky requires students to write one personal statement from seven of their given writing prompts.

72) University of Minnesota – Twin Cities

For first-year students applying to the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, the personal essay is not required, although it is encouraged.

73) University of Nebraska-Lincoln

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln does not require a personal statement for first-year students. However, those applying to the Honors Program must write a 300-600 word essay.

Whether for the personal statement or any supplemental essay, writing college application essays can prove to be a challenging task. But if students plan ahead about how they want to approach the essays, it helps tremendously. Those who are about to apply to a college without supplemental essays can focus any extra time on other schools that do require them. It’s also great for students who wish to be considered primarily for their grades, test scores, personal statement and other reasons.

Best Colleges Without Supplemental Essays – Additional Resources 

• 10 Instructive Common App Essay Examples 
• How to Write a Body Paragraph for a College Essay
• UC Essay Examples
• Good Safety Schools
• College Search/Knowledge

Joanna Hong

With a BA from Pitzer College and an MA from University College London, Joanna has worked in London, Berlin, and Los Angeles covering many cultural and political issues with organizations such as Byline Media, NK News, and Free Turkey Media. A freelancer for The New York Times, her work has also appeared in Newsweek, Dazed and Confused Magazine, and The Guardian, among others. In addition, Joanna was the recipient of the 2021 PEN America Emerging Voices Fellowship in Fiction and is currently completing her first novel.

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