<p>Hi,I need help!I’m a Nigerian student applying to very competitive colleges in the US.I have very strong academic record-I believe.I have won many state,and some few national and International honors,including I am an international olympiad medallist.But the problem is this:I have very poor writing skills.My organization,composition and choice of words are bad.Through secondary school I never knew how important my writing skills would be later,especially during college admission process essays.I concentrated more on the sciences and mathematics.Plus, my English teachers were also not good at teaching the subject.I am really discouraged by this and don’t know exactly what to do with my essays.I pretty much know how vital it is in admission decisions,especially for competitive colleges.My sibling is a very good writer,so I want her to write the essays for me.I also think that my bad writing skills would affect me in college,meaning if I’m admitted to such competitive college,I won’t be able to prove I can write to the level of what was presented in my application or I would get bad grades,which would affect my overall performance.Now the main point is:should I let her write a very good essay then for 10 months before I’m admitted I’ll practice to become a good writer?Or should I just give up because I’m not worth it, as my writing skills are not good?My SAT score is pretty good-above a 2050, my ECs are quite few.I’m also a really good artist.I also need full fundings, for I’m disavantaged financially.Just to give you a sketch of my application…Any help would be appreciated…</p>
<p>Write the essay yourself. Have your sister read it and give you suggestions for how to improve it. Make any changes yourself. </p>
<p>It’s ok to have help editing your essay. It’s not ok to have someone else write it. </p>
<p>Frankly, your writing skills in this post don’t seem that bad.</p>
<p>Hi seatle_mom,I speak good English-because in Nigeria it’s our official language,and I know a lot about rules in grammar,so It may seem I know how to write to some extent.But I’m very bad at organizing my thoughts.That is what bothers me most.I will heed to your advice on my writing by myself,but I would like to ask;if for example i write a very mediocre essay with little or no creativity,can I allow my sister make it more sophisticated?As I’ve seen some sample MIT essays that I really don’t think I can compose sumfin near to.I just don’t seem to learn from other people’s essays.A thesaurus?Nope,it still doesn’t change the brilliance of my essays.Maybe you can help me with a source or an idea that would help someone in my condition.Thanks.</p>
<p>Do not ask her to re-write it to make it “more sophisticated”. </p>
<p>Write it. Then walk away for a day. Read through it again, and edit it. Then have someone else (maybe a teacher?) read it for errors. Re-write as needed.</p>
<p>There is nothing wrong with good solid plain English. What matters is that it is your own words and your own ideas. That is what the Ad Coms are looking for.</p>
<p>@happymomof1,is what you say also true for very competitive colleges?Im really curious about my essays and SAT 1 because I feel they are my weak points…</p>
<p>Truly, write your own essays. They really do want to know what you can do. Not what your sister can do. Not what your friend can do. What YOU can do.</p>
<p>Not everyone at those “very competitive colleges” is a good writer. Some of them have other things to offer.</p>
<p>I can barely express my fury at the thought that a foreign student who is seeking to be a guest in my country and take up a slot in an American college is starting the process by seriously contemplating submitting a fraudulent application–and admits it without an iota of embarrassment! Please, do us all a favor and stay in Nigeria.</p>
<p>Hi@happymommof1,I am pleased with what you say"not everyone at those competitive colleges are good writers."I’ll write and edit my essays very well by myself.So It’ll have the best representation of me.Thanks much for the advice!Are you in college? @MommaJ,I never knew helping one with his essays is "fraudulent."I won’t do anymore.And I’m sorry if the point of the thread is annoying;I was only trying to seek opinion of you citizens coz I was becoming frustrated…no hard feelings.</p>
<p>@MYOS1634,Thanks!And I’ll just do that as soon as my posts are up to 15.</p>
<p>
That’s what you said. And that would be fraud. You didn’t discuss her merely “helping” with your essays until another poster told you that was the only method that would be okay. There’s a big difference between having someone read over your essay for purposes of editing and having someone write it entirely. I’m relieved that you realize how inappropriate the latter would be.</p>
<p>You sound very skilled in conveying your thoughts and feelings and this is exactly what you need to do in your essays. No college wants sophisticated essays, they want to hear the applicant’s honest voice. Forget about your sister, let her read your essay, ask her for advice, but don’t allow her to write a single word for you.</p>
<p>So as a parent, here are my recommendations to you:</p>
<p>-- write your own essay, be yourself, you’re just fine the way you are. </p>
<p>-- don’t listen to any of the nonsense that is summarized in MommaJ’s 1st post. Fortunately, US colleges want the best in the world, regardless of nationality, color, class, or whatever.</p>
<p>Good luck, I’m sure you’ll get into a great college and your financial needs will be met.</p>
<p>@onemoreparent, thank you for the “parental-like” encouragement.I am already writing an essay now,and all the ideas have been useful.I just hope I do make it to my choice college with a scholarship.Once again,thanks. :). @mommaJ,I made a mistake with that.Now you already know(but don’t make me give you ironic replies anymore).</p>
<p>Hi,A friend asked me,"Is it possible to cancel the free-sending of my SAT score to the colleges I initially requested to send them to…I mean before my score is out?"I was not sure of an answer to give,so I checked google,but it only gave information about changing the choice of college the scores would be sent to.Please I need a direct answer to the question.Thanks.</p>
<p>Yes but you lose your money, so it’s always better to get them sent - if only to show a marked improvement the following time!</p>
<p>@MYOS1634,I dont get.My friend has submitted the registration form with free-sending score report.He hasn’t done (or isn’t doing) any payment.To rephrase the question:can he cancel this free-sending and not send to any other college?</p>
<p>Yes but he has paid to take the test. If he hasn’t paid for the test, he’s not registered (unless he has a waiver or someone else paid for him).
However yes he can cancel the “free” reports and not send his scores to any college, but be aware that afterwards he won’t have the “free” reports, he’ll have to pay for each one.</p>
<p>Yes I know already.But can you tell me how to do this?On my college board account?</p>
<p>[Canceling</a> SAT Scores - How to Cancel Scores](<a href=“The SAT – SAT Suite | College Board”>Canceling Your SAT Scores – SAT Suite | College Board)</p>
<p>So there isn’t a way one can cancel sending scores and still see it?</p>
<p>No. You can’t both cancel and get your scores. And the better choice typically is to get the score sent, then take the test again - if you’ve done badly then very well, you’ll show your amazing learning curve. :)</p>