What are the risks of buying custom college essays online?

Buying custom college essays online might seem like a tempting shortcut when you're stressed and struggling, but there are real and serious risks that could have lasting consequences for your application and academic future.

First, having someone else write your essay and submitting it as your own is considered a form of plagiarism and academic dishonesty. Most colleges specifically state in their application policies that your essays must be your own original work. If an admissions committee suspects that you used a bought or ghostwritten essay, they are likely to reject your application outright. In some cases, if it’s discovered after you’ve enrolled, your admission could be rescinded.

Colleges are increasingly using software and other methods to check for authenticity. For example, some schools compare your essay to your prior writing samples (from standardized tests like the SAT or TOEFL) to spot inconsistencies. If your essay sounds drastically different from other materials, it could raise a red flag. Some admissions officers can sense when an essay doesn’t sound like it was written by a high schooler—overly polished writing or lack of personal details are common giveaways.

Services selling essays legally protect themselves, but they don’t take responsibility for what happens to students who use their work. Worse, some sites engage in scams, like selling the same essay to multiple people or even blackmailing students by threatening to tell the school if they aren’t paid more money later on.

Even beyond the risk of getting caught, you’re missing out on the chance to show colleges who you really are. Essays are your opportunity to stand out for your unique experiences, voice, and perspective. Admissions officers aren’t looking for perfect writing; genuine, personal essays often make the strongest impression. For example, a student once wrote about their habit of singing old cartoon jingles in the shower when stressed. The essay wasn’t flawless, but it was authentic and memorable.

If you’re struggling, consider reaching out to a trusted teacher, counselor, or a legitimate writing review service for feedback rather than turning to someone who will do the work for you. A second set of eyes can help you strengthen your drafts and make your writing stand out in your own voice.

Ultimately, trusting your story and making your application truly yours will lead to a result you can be proud of—no matter what. Risking your future for an essay isn’t worth it.