College Essay Guy Blog

Why We Like It

College Essay Guy is the most actionable college prep blog available, and Ethan Sawyer's standing in the independent college counseling community means the guidance is both current and credible. The free blog punches well above its weight — detailed essay breakdowns, application timeline guides, and Common App walkthroughs are available without spending a dollar. Parents who read it alongside their teenagers will find the shared vocabulary it builds is almost as valuable as the content itself.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Ethan Sawyer's essay coaching methodology is the most widely respected in the independent counseling world — the free blog content reflects that same quality
• Guides are genuinely comprehensive: school list building, application timelines, Common App walkthroughs, and financial aid basics all covered in one place
• Tone is warm and student-centered, which makes it useful to share directly with your teenager — not just a resource for anxious parents

Cons

• Blog posting frequency has varied, with some months more active than others — not as reliably updated as top-ranked options
• The premium course offerings are prominently featured, which can make the free content feel like a preview rather than a complete resource

Score Breakdown

Blogs evaluated on relevance to parents of teens, content quality and depth, trustworthiness and expert sourcing, and consistency.