How do you write college essays?

How commonly do US college applicants have other people write their essays?

• It seems like it would be almost undetectable, and could easily make the difference between rejection and acceptance. Is there any way to measure how widespread this practice is? See also

• Answer:

  My perspective is as a parent of a student at a selective college, who knows a lot of parents and students at prep and public schools who do their own work. And as a long time college confidential poster who has read a lot of advice from other parents and the occasional professional there, read a lot of essays kids were working on essays by themselves, and offered a lot of free advice. Very occasionally someone will ask about coaching. And as someone who has given essay coaching and help with editing to some students as side work. I am sure that most students write their own essays. But many students also get feedback and editing from teachers and parents. I do not think that it is almost undetectable if someone else writes your essay. I think it would be pretty obvious in most cases. Except for the most skilled insider who can write a good essay while sounding like a credible teenager. Parents generally would do a poor job. The essay really needs to be very personal and have an authentic voice. Good students are perfectly capable of doing a good job of it. It would be hard to find someone who does a great job and that people would actually pay for. Certainly there are people who will offer this for a lot of money but I wouldn't trust it. No doubt there are expensive companies that do this for people who have a lot of money to shell out, but this is not what most people do at all. Don't forget that admissions at many public colleges, which is where most people in the U.S. go often don't require essays or the essay plays a minor part only. For instance, in California almost 1/2 million attend the Cal State system universities that do not require essays. 2 million attend community colleges that do not require essays. When I help someone I usually help with pushing them to bring out more and dig deeper to say something meaningful. I work through passing drafts back and forth and discussing. I try to help them find a voice if needed and eliminate fussy or cliched writing. Then I will help refine and edit. I might talk with them to brainstorm ideas but I don't manufacture them, I find things they think of and push for more angles to develop. I ask question when I an intrigued and want to know more and that might inform the essay. I help them beat a deadline. I do not think most people even have that level of help, but as you see, the ones I work with are doing a lot of work. I think most kids will work by themselves and then have a teacher read the final draft. Some schools will offer essay writing and feedback sessions out of school or in English class.