College Essay Guy
Knowing and vetting your options is crucial when you’re seeking college admissions support for your student. College Essay Guy, or CEG, is one option that’s known for providing in-depth, individualized college application coaching, with a focus on helping students develop college application essays. If you’re curious about what CEG has to offer, keep reading–our guide walks you through everything you need to know to decide if CEG is the right fit for your student.
CEG was founded in 2011 by Ethan Sawyer, a UC Irvine MFA graduate. Originally a free college essay resource blog, CEG has expanded its offerings to provide a suite of college admissions and essay support services for 9th through 12th graders, including online courses and webinars, in-person workshops, an essay review platform, and one-on-one admissions counseling and essay coaching.
CEG’s primary aim is to help students develop college application materials that showcase their unique strengths, with a special focus on admissions essays. To do that, they offer tiered one-on-one counseling packages based on how many schools your student is applying to. Each package includes coaching for the main components of the Common Application, including Common App essays, supplemental essays, activities list, additional information statement, and a committee review of all application materials.
Services Offered
1-on-1 Services
- College admissions counseling
- College essay coaching
- Graduate school admissions counseling
- Matchlighters Scholars Program, which provides free college counseling to high-achieving students from low-income households
Online Courses
- College admissions and application courses and webinars for students (both live sessions and on-demand options offered)
- Training programs and boot camps for school counselors and educators (live and on-demand)
Books and E-Books
- College Essay Essential, by Ethan Sawyer
- The Complete Guide to the College Interview (e-book)
- The Complete Guide to the “Why Us” Essay (e-book)
Locations
CEG operates exclusively online, and all communications and services offered are administered in a virtual format via Zoom, Google Docs, and email.
Pricing
CEG offers a variety of free and paid college application and essay resources. Practical guides provided on the CEG blog are free, while live and on-demand webinars and courses are priced at $297 per course.
For one-on-one essay and admissions counseling services, prices vary based on the specific package you choose, but generally range from just under $4,900 to $9,900.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
Bottom Line: Is College Essay Guy Right for You?
CEG’s intensive, long-term approach to one-on-one admissions coaching is designed to immerse your student in a process of self-discovery that produces excellent college applications. To reap those rewards–and to get your money’s worth–your student will need to commit to a consistent schedule, weekly homework and meetings, and multiple rounds of drafting, revision, and review of application materials. CEG’s offerings are best suited for students who have rigorous college admissions goals (CEG encourages participants to apply to 8-12 schools) and need guidance and review at every step of the college essay drafting process.
CEG’s process gets results, but both the cost and time commitment are high, especially given that test prep is not included in any of their one-on-one coaching packages. Standardized test scores are a crucial piece of successful college applications, and test prep and strategy play a significant role in each student’s college admissions journey. CEG’s admissions counseling and essay coaching packages are best suited for students who already have strong test scores or who are seeking SAT/ACT prep elsewhere. Overall, CEG’s approach is best suited for students who are handling their test prep needs elsewhere, who need significant guidance developing college application materials, or who might be eligible for CEG’s free and discounted offerings for low-income families. Students who need a more laid back approach to application and essay coaching may find more value in alternative options that provide flexible packages at a better price.