As college admissions advisors with decades of combined experience under our belts, we’ve seen our fair share of essay transformations— both good and bad. However, the essays our students end up submitting are always those where they put their best foot forward, show off their shining personality attributes, and demonstrate not only fit but also an ability to thrive in college.
Still, in the essay drafting process, it’s not uncommon for parents and students alike to wonder: how many people should I ask to review my college essays? And because every student, every essay, and every application is different, it’s hard to give a hard and fast number of the perfect number of reviewers, but what we can tell you is that it’s a balancing act.
We’ve learned the hard way that in the process of having mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, your English teacher, school counselors, best friends, and neighbor read your essay is that by the end of it, so many people may have weighed in that you’re either drowning in feedback or are left with an essay that’s unrecognizable. On the other hand, having too few reviewers might mean missing important improvements that those close to you would’ve pointed out and could have really strengthened your application. In short, you have to hit the sweet spot.
Quality Over Quantity
With the knowledge that every student is different in mind, we generally tend to recommend that college applicants limit the number of essay reviewers to 2-4 people, and that they spend time strategizing about what each person they wish to include can contribute to the process.
We think it’s helpful for a student to have a more “big picture” reviewer– meaning, someone who understands the student AND the admissions process. This might be your Marks Education College Counselor, your high school counselor, or an experienced teacher who can not only assess whether the essay meets the standards the school is expecting, but is also authentic to who you are.
Second, we find that it’s also helpful for students to have a reviewer who could specialize in the “personal connection” department. This usually means a parent, a coach, a mentor, or a friend who knows the student well enough to make sure the essay sounds and feels like them. This person’s role isn’t really to suggest major changes, but instead is about making sure that the student’s voice is shining through and encouraging them to consider parts of themselves they may have left out.
While you can certainly double up in one of those first two categories, it’s also helpful to have a “technical” reviewer to two. This should be someone with strong writing skills who can identify grammatical errors, recommend edits that clarify your vision, or improve readability without fundamentally changing the essay. English teachers or Essay Specialists are often great choices to fill this role.
What Good Feedback Looks Like
The quality of the feedback that you receive is actually more important than the quantity. After years of helping students through the revision process, here is some advice we’ve identified that can help you distinguish good feedback from bad.
Good Feedback Highlights, Not Dictates
Reviewers should be looking to help make your essay the best version it can be, not their specific vision of the essay. Try to find reviewers who help you preserve your voice and simultaneously improve your communication.
Think, Good feedback equals: “I’m not sure what you mean by this paragraph. Perhaps you could provide more clarity.”
Bad Feedback: “This paragraph doesn’t work. You should probably write about your community service experience instead.”
Good feedback also focuses on clarity, not personal preference.
Comments like “I was confused about the timeline of events in this paragraph,” for example, point to a specific issue the reader encountered in your essay and allow you to address the problem your way and maintain your overall approach.
In contrast, unhelpful comments are generally based purely on personal preference. Statements like “I didn’t like your opening,” “this sounds weird,” or “change this” provide little constructive direction and aren’t usually markers of great feedback.
Good Feedback Asks Questions
Good feedback on your college essays is meant to encourage a deeper consideration of your experiences. Reviewers should ask questions that lead to meaningful revisions that provide more distinctive details and better prose.
Good feedback might say things like: “What were you feeling when this happened?” or “Is there an example you could provide here?” which are both effective at encouraging exploration that, if followed through on, will ultimately help your essay be more distinctive and memorable.
The Feedback Resonates
In our sessions, we find that after incorporating helpful essay suggestions, many students often say, “My essay sounds so much more like me now, just clearer,” and we want to say– this is the ultimate test of valuable feedback. Good feedback should enhance your authentic voice rather than just replacing it with someone else’s.
Good Feedback Points Out What Went Well
Comments like “This really shows your perseverance and innovation skills!” or “You’re doing a great job at keeping the reader engaged within this paragraph!” are important in helping you identify what is working well in your writing, too. Many students unknowingly downplay their most compelling points, and positive feedback can help avoid that by recognizing what they’re already doing well and encouraging it in the future.
Conclusion
Striking the right balance of help on college essays can be challenging– especially when loved ones just want to help a student do well. We hope this blog has helped you better understand how to use feedback and the readership of those you love and respect to your advantage.
Looking for professional help reviewing your college essays? Check out our team bios and learn more about what to expect in a college counseling session. Schedule your FREE consultation for more!