College Admissions Essay Grader-College Essay Grading Tool

Example

A student submits an essay about starting a robotics club at school. The grader scores it from 1–10 on metrics such as originality, writing quality, sensory detail, message clarity, and whether it avoids bragging while still conveying impact.

Scenario

The student discovers their essay scores low on uniqueness and vivid detail. The grader highlights that although the story is strong, it's told in a conventional manner. It then suggests alternative ways to frame the narrative (e.g., through a moment of failure rather than a success story) to better capture the reader’s attention.

Example

An essay on baking with a grandparent is analyzed to determine the core theme—say, generational wisdom or finding joy in process.

Scenario

The grader helps the student identify whether that theme comes through clearly. If the theme feels muddled or underdeveloped, it explains how to thread it more strongly throughout, possibly by tying in modern aspirations with ancestral traditions.

Example

The grader detects that a student’s essay lacks an emotional arc or has a flat, overly polished tone.

Scenario

Instead of rewriting the student's essay, it provides an imaginative sample from a completely different context—such as a violinist whose performance was interrupted by a power outage—to model how to turn a setback into a powerful emotional climax. It reminds the student to apply this stylistic technique in their own voice and story.