Essay competition draft review
Detailed written comments from a Cambridge economist on a finished draft: where the argument, the economics and the evidence fall short of prize standard, and what to work on before submitting.
- First-class Cambridge Economics graduate
- Six years preparing applicants
What the comments cover
- The argumentDoes the conclusion follow, and survive the strongest objection?
- The economicsTheories correct, and correctly applied
- The evidenceData and sources that support each point
- The structureParagraphs in the order the argument needs
- The rulesWord count, referencing and declarations
What the student gets
A comment sheet built to move the draft towards prize standard, with the student doing the rewriting.
A view of prize standard
The comment sheet sets out what a strong answer to this question looks like, and where the draft sits against it.
Economics checked by an economist
Every theory, claim and piece of data is checked: is it right, and is it used correctly?
An argument stress-tested
We look for the gaps a judge would find: weak steps, missing objections, conclusions that go further than the evidence.
Priorities, in order
Comments run from the big issues to the small ones, so revision time goes where it makes most difference.
Writing that improves
Each comment explains why something is weak, so the student learns to spot it in future essays too.
Ready to submit
A rules check against the competition, and a suggested declaration sentence where one is needed.
Choose by word limit
The price follows the word limit the competition sets.
Up to 1,000 words
RES Young Economist of the Year or Fitzwilliam College.
- Detailed written comments
- Economics and argument checked
- Within 5 working days
Up to 1,500 words
Marshall Society.
- Detailed written comments
- Economics and argument checked
- Within 5 working days
Up to 2,500 words
John Locke Global Essay Prize or CSEP.
- Detailed written comments
- Economics and argument checked
- Within 5 working days
Need comments sooner? Add a rush review (, within 2 working days). Prices in pounds sterling. After you book, we email you to confirm where to send the draft. If the student is under 18, a parent or guardian should make the booking.
How the review works
Three steps, all by email.
Book, or talk to us first
Choose the word limit and book online, or email us first.
Send the draft
Reply to our email with the draft, the competition and the question.
Receive the comments
A full comment sheet within 5 working days of receiving the draft, or 2 with the rush option.
Prefer to talk it through before you book?
Tell us the competition, the question and the deadline, and we will confirm timings before you pay.
The essay stays the student’s own
Every competition judges the essay as the entrant’s own work. Comments explain what is weak and why, and never rewrite: no wording is supplied, and the student makes every change. Where a competition asks entrants to declare help (the Marshall Society form, CSEP, the John Locke referee’s confirmation of originality, the Fitzwilliam production log), the comment sheet includes a suggested declaration sentence. The RES rules do not say whether adults may comment on a draft, so for a RES entry please check with the organisers first.
Want help earlier in the process?
Mentoring helps choose the question and test the argument before the draft is written. Coaching combines two sessions with this review.
See coachingWho we are
Econ Coaching was founded by a first-class Cambridge Economics graduate who has prepared applicants for six years.
About usQuestions
How long does a review take?
Comments arrive within 5 working days of receiving the draft. The rush option returns them within 2 working days.
What do we receive?
A written comment sheet: the draft compared with a strong answer to the question, comments on the argument, economics, evidence, structure and writing in order of priority, the questions to work on next, a rules check and a suggested declaration sentence.
Will the draft be rewritten?
No. Comments explain what is weak and why. No wording is supplied, and the student makes every change.
Which word limit should we choose?
The one the competition sets: up to 1,000 words for RES and Fitzwilliam, 1,500 for the Marshall Society, and 2,500 for John Locke and CSEP.
How finished should the draft be?
Complete, or close to it, so the comments can look at the whole argument. Earlier on, a mentoring session is the better fit.