For the high-schooler who has everything—a guidance counselor, an SAT coach, a nagging parent—a professional essay-writing course is now a must, according to pros in the booming industry.
There are more than 200 books of essay advice listed on Amazon.com. Online services such as Essay Edge charge hundreds of dollars. Kaplan Inc. offers college-application advice for $899, including help with essays. And companies are even marketing college application camps, offering hours of essay writing—probably not around a camp fire.
Today, dozens of teens will head to Umass-Amherst for a $3,000 camp where they will hunker down with guidance counselors and professional writing coaches for a two-week intensive course on getting better test scores and writing rejection-proof essays.
"They will walk away with at least one polished essay that they can send to the college of their choice," said Grace Change, spokeswoman for Academic Study Associates, which runs the camp.
Academic Study Associates and other such companies claim they are providing an essential service that parents and high school guidance counselors can’t. But critics worry the pricey services only widen the gap between poorer students and richer kids.
And even some teens aren’t sold. "You should do it yourself—it’s not hard," said Millis High School student Ashley Shilo, 17, who starts her senior year this fall and is writing her college applications the old-fashioned way.
"They are not going to be going to college for you, so they should not apply for you," Shilo added. Now there’s an essay topic!
But what about the big question: Will they get you into Harvard?
Don’t bet on it.
The prep courses serve as "one reason we would never want to make a decision on the basis of an essay," said Marlyn McGrath Lewis, director of admissions for Harvard College.
Admissions directors are savvy enough to look beyond professionally polished essays and other assets more affluent applicants may have, and seek out evidence of personal talents, overcoming obstacles and other achievements in deciding who to admit, she said.
"We are looking to enroll people at Harvard who will do something great with their lives and have some record of doing something great with whatever opportunities and talent they have," McGrath Lewis said.
But Michael London of Newton-based College Coach said firms like his are designed simply to teach students how to put their best foot forward.
"We don’t write essays," said London, whose company has clients as young as middle-schoolers. "But a 16-year-old may need someone to say, ‘That topic might not be appropriate for an essay.’ I think it’s OK to guide people. We are coaches."
Of course, such help isn’t bad if it gives students the drive to succeed. Inspiration, McGrath Lewis noted dryly, "can come from odd places, and sometimes it comes from courses that are designed to get you into college."
