Until a month ago, I refused to even edit admissions application essays. I lightened up when a nontraditional student contacted me about helping with the critical analysis and two other essays for application to a doctoral program. I coached her, especially on the critical analysis, relying on debate methods and even suggesting other papers she could rely on for a "con" argument. She was grateful, but think I did her a disservice, as her writing sophistication was well below the bar for a refereed journal, and the department clearly expects publication from graduate students.