College Essay Review for Non-Native English Speakers
You have great ideas—but you're not sure if your English sounds natural. We fix grammar, improve flow, and explain exactly why, so you sound confident and clear.
The Real Problem Isn't Your English—It's Knowing What Sounds Natural
"I don't know if my sentences sound awkward"
You can pass English tests, but you're not confident your phrasing sounds natural to native speakers. Small word choices can make a big difference—and you don't always know which ones.
"I think in my first language and translate"
Sometimes a sentence sounds perfect in your head (in your native language), but when you translate it to English, something feels off. You're not sure what.
"Grammar checkers don't explain WHY"
Tools like Grammarly fix surface-level errors but don't teach you. You want to understand the difference between "correct" and "natural," and why one phrase works better than another.
"I don't want my essay to sound like a textbook"
You've been trained to write formally. But American college essays want conversational, personal writing. You're not sure how to sound warm and human without being too casual.
"I'm worried my English will hurt my chances"
You have a great story, but you're afraid small language mistakes will make admissions officers think you're not ready for college-level work. You need your English to be strong enough not to distract from your story.
"I need someone patient who won't judge me"
You're self-conscious about your English. You don't want someone to make you feel bad about mistakes—you just want help getting better.
What You Actually Need
Corrections WITH explanations
Not just "change this"—understand why
Help with natural phrasing
See how native speakers would say it
Someone who doesn't judge
Patient feedback at your level
Confidence you sound good
Know your essay represents you well
How We Help ESL Students Write Better Essays
We Fix Grammar AND Explain Why It Was Wrong
You don't just need corrections—you need to understand them. We mark errors, fix them, and explain the rule so you learn.
Your sentence: "I was very interested to learn about science."
Why it's wrong: "Interested to" is grammatically correct but unnatural. Native speakers say "interested IN learning" or "wanted to learn."
Better options: "I was fascinated by science" or "I wanted to understand how things worked."
We Show You How to Sound More Natural
There's a difference between "correct" and "natural." We help you cross that gap by showing side-by-side comparisons.
❌ CORRECT BUT AWKWARD
"Through this experience, I gained a lot of knowledge and understanding."
✅ NATURAL AND CLEAR
"This experience taught me more than I expected."
We Help You Sound Conversational (Not Formal)
American college essays should sound like you're talking to someone, not writing a school report. We show you where your tone is too stiff and how to warm it up.
❌ TOO FORMAL
"Upon reflection, I have come to understand..."
✅ CONVERSATIONAL
"Looking back, I realize..."
❌ TOO STIFF
"This experience provided me with valuable insights."
✅ NATURAL
"This experience changed how I see things."
We Don't Rewrite Your Essay—We Help YOU Improve It
This isn't a ghostwriting service. We give you feedback, corrections, and suggestions—but YOU make the changes. The goal is for you to learn and own your writing.
What You Get:
- • Line-by-line grammar corrections with explanations
- • Alternative phrasings when something sounds awkward
- • Tone and style guidance to make your voice clearer
- • Vocabulary suggestions when words don't quite fit
Real Examples: Before and After ESL Edits
"When I was young age, my family moved to America. At first, I have many difficulties because I don't speak English good. But through hard working and determination, I was able to overcome these challenges and succeed in my studies. This experience teached me the importance of perseverance."
"When I was seven, my family moved to America. At first, everything was overwhelming—I barely spoke English, and I felt invisible in class. But I refused to stay silent. I studied late into the night, rewatched TV shows with subtitles, and forced myself to raise my hand even when I wasn't sure. Slowly, I found my voice. That year taught me that perseverance isn't just about working hard—it's about showing up even when you feel like you don't belong."
What We Fixed:
- • Grammar: "young age" → "seven" (be specific); "have" → "was" (tense); "don't speak English good" → "barely spoke English"
- • Tone: Removed formal phrases like "through hard working and determination"—showed struggle instead
- • Show, don't tell: Added specific details (TV shows, subtitles, raising hand) instead of vague "challenges"
- • Depth: Ended with insight, not just "I learned perseverance"
"I am very interested to learn about different cultures. When I travel to new country, I always try to understand their tradition and customs. I believe this makes me a global citizen who can communicate with people from different backgrounds."
"I'm fascinated by the unspoken rules of cultures—the things you can only learn by messing up. In Japan, I handed someone a business card with one hand and watched their face tighten. Later, I learned you're supposed to use both hands as a sign of respect. That small moment taught me more than any textbook: real understanding comes from humility, not just curiosity."
What We Fixed:
- • Phrasing: "interested to learn" → "fascinated by" (more natural)
- • Specificity: Replaced vague "different cultures" with a concrete story (Japan, business card)
- • Tone: Changed from formal ("I believe") to conversational ("That small moment...")
- • Depth: Instead of stating "I'm a global citizen," showed a real learning moment
Same Price for Everyone—No Matter Your English Level
We don't charge extra for ESL students. If you need more help, we give more help—simple as that.
Questions from ESL Students
Will you reject my essay if my English isn't good enough?
Never. We work with students at all English proficiency levels—from fluent to still learning. That's literally what we're here for. We don't judge your current level; we help you improve. Same price, no matter what.
How do I know if my essay 'sounds natural' in English?
You might not know, and that's okay. Small phrasing issues can make you sound less confident than you are. We'll show you exactly what sounds awkward to native speakers and explain why, so you understand the difference.
Will you rewrite my essay for me?
No. We'll help YOU improve it. We fix errors, suggest better phrasing, and explain the reasoning—but the essay stays yours. You're not paying for someone else's words; you're paying to learn how to make YOUR words better.
What's the difference between grammar mistakes and 'sounding unnatural'?
Grammar mistakes are technical errors (like 'I was go to school'). Sounding unnatural is when grammar is correct but phrasing is awkward ('I am very interested to learn' vs. 'I'm fascinated by learning'). Both matter. We fix both.
Can you help me if English is my third or fourth language?
Yes. Your language background doesn't matter—we meet you where you are. If you can communicate your ideas (even if the English is imperfect), we can help you polish it.
Should I mention that English is my second language in my essay?
Only if it's relevant to your story. Don't use it as an excuse or disclaimer ('Sorry, English is my second language...'). If learning English was a meaningful journey that shaped who you are, then write about THAT—make it the story, not a footnote.
Will you charge extra because I need more help with English?
No. Everyone pays the same price, regardless of how much language help you need. If you're worried your essay needs 'too much' editing—don't be. We've seen it all.
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