Frequently Asked Questions


Q: How long will the process take?

A: The “How it Works” link underneath our package description usually gives you a reasonable estimate,

But here are some additional guidelines. We do our best to be flexible and pride ourselves on meeting deadlines. Our Gold Standard Express comes with a guarantee that you will have a completed application essay within 48 hours of our acceptance. Most of our other services take less than a week from the date of your order and all of our clients receive a guaranteed delivery date after placing their order. Our regular Gold Standard service usually takes five to seven days, our Final Draft Service takes three to five days, and a Flashpoint Checkup is routinely completed within 24-48 hours or less. If you are concerned about our ability to meet a particular deadline, just contact us before placing your order to receive an estimated delivery date in advance of purchase.

Q: Will I need any special software to view my completed essay?

A: Flashpoint editors and writers use Microsoft Word and will email you your completed or revised essay as a MS Word attachment. If this doesn’t work for you, just let us know when you place your order and we’ll make the appropriate arrangements.

Q: Do you charge extra for longer essays?

A: Most personal statements are around the same length, usually 500 or so words. We don’t enjoy counting words and we’re certainly not going to charge you extra because your essay came in at 575 or 600 instead of a flat 500 words. If your essay requirements are radically different, however, a surcharge could apply. If it does, we will notify you ahead of time. All of our school-specific undergraduate packages (e.g. Yale or Amherst Supplement essays) are priced based on the required word counts and offered at a fixed price.

Q: What’s a model essay? Can I turn it in as my own?

A: A model essay or model personal statement is an example used to illustrate how a particular concept might be executed. It is wholly original and written from scratch and is designed to address the needs of clients who are having a hard time getting started or who may be unfamiliar with the application essay process. It is not intended to take the place of your own work. It goes without saying that Flashpoint doesn’t approve of plagiarism and we really do encourage you to use our model personal statement as just that, a model. Instead of cutting and pasting, take the time to draft your own personal statement using our guidance. In the long run you'll be a lot happier you did.

Q: Come on, you don’t really mean that. You’re winking while you write that, aren’t you?

A: No, we’re actually serious. And if our moral arguments aren’t compelling enough, we’ll try to regale you with a little pragmatism. You see, it turns out that the best statements we read are the ones based on but not identical to our model essays. They’re more authentic reads, more personal, and they fit more neatly into the framework of the application. If you’re uncertain how to utilize a Flashpoint model statement as a reference source, just ask your writer for help. That’s what we’re here for.

Q: I’m interested in finding out if you can help me with a piece of writing that you don’t mention here. What do I do?

A: We are happy to assist with various types of application writing, from personal statements to addendums to specific essay prompts and scholarship essays. If you’re not sure which category or package best meets your needs, just fill out a service request form or contact us and a Flashpoint counselor will help you through the process. We do not offer any non-application writing services at this time and cannot be of help with term papers, dissertations.

Q: Do you offer a discount for multiple essays?

A: Yes. Clients who submit multiple essays are eligible for a discount rate depending on the type and volume of service they need. Get in touch with us for details.

Q: Do you really guarantee my satisfaction? You mean you’ll do a hundred rewrites if I want you to?

A: If you have legitimate reasons for requesting them, absolutely. Let’s be clear, though: we guarantee your satisfaction by offering free rewrites and the offer itself presumes good faith on our part and on yours. That means that if you’re asking for another draft because the writer has failed to address the essay prompt or hasn’t portrayed you in the agreed upon fashion then we’ll absolutely keep writing and we won’t give you a hard time about it either. If, on the other hand, you’re hitting us up for a thirty-eighth draft because you’re in a bad mood or you want to see how many free essays you can collect, we might tell you to take a walk. In other words, let common sense be your guide. We're good people and we want to do everything in our power to help you walk away happy.

Q: What about my privacy?

A: The personal statement is a vitally important part of an application and we appreciate the trust our clients place in us while we’re helping them perfect their applications. As part of our larger commitment to treating those we do business with the way we’d like to be treated, we also keep all of your personal information strictly confidential. No one outside the company will ever see your personal statement nor will we ever sell or give away your name, email address, or any other piece of contact or identifying information.