Is it okay to get help with my college essay?

Absolutely. Getting help doesn’t make your essay less authentic. It makes you smart. The college essay isn’t just about writing; it’s about strategy, voice, and knowing what admissions officers actually care about. Talking through ideas, getting feedback, and polishing your drafts is part of the process. Just don’t outsource your personality. That means no AI-written essays (ahem), no copy-paste jobs, and definitely no ghostwriters. The core ideas, reflections, and tone should still be yours. Think of help like seasoning—you still have to bring the meat. So yes, get support, ask for edits, and bounce ideas off people you trust. It’s not cheating. It’s collaborating, and colleges love a student who knows how to collaborate.