Do colleges use plagiarism checkers on application essays?

Most colleges do use some type of plagiarism detection software on application essays, especially at more selective institutions. Tools like Turnitin are pretty common, and their main purpose is to check if portions of your essay match with online sources, previous college applications, or published work.

That said, these checks are primarily aimed at catching clear plagiarism—cases where large parts of an essay are copied verbatim from a website, book, or another student’s application. Admission officers can also usually tell through reading whether an essay feels authentic and personal, or if it sounds generic or copied.

If a few sentences in your essay happen to be similar to something you read before (especially if it’s a common phrase or a typical way to start an introduction), that’s generally not a big deal. Unintentional overlap on things like common expressions or cliché phrases isn’t likely to get you in trouble. The software flags exact or near-exact matches, but it’s evaluated by a human before any action is taken. For example, if you wrote, “Ever since I was young, I’ve been fascinated by science,” that's a very common phrase and no one will assume you are copying.

You’re already doing the right thing by aiming for authenticity and making sure your essay represents your voice and experiences. If you’re paraphrasing someone’s advice or using ideas you read elsewhere, always make the effort to put things in your own words and relate them to your unique experiences. For example, if you take inspiration from an essay online about volunteering, make sure your story focuses on your personal outcome, like a specific connection you made with someone or a moment that shifted your thinking.

If you’re worried you accidentally took too much from something you read, try reading your essay aloud—does it sound like you? Ask a teacher or someone you trust to read it and give feedback on whether it feels authentic.

As long as you’re writing about your life and not copying text from other essays or resources, you shouldn’t have a problem. Being mindful, as you are, is the best safeguard against any accidental issues.