Is it okay to pay someone to write your college essays?

Paying someone to write your college essays is not allowed, and it’s considered a serious violation of academic integrity. Admissions committees expect your essays to genuinely reflect your voice, experiences, and ideas. If a school discovers that your essays were written by someone else, that’s grounds for denying your application or even rescinding an acceptance later on.

Many colleges now use plagiarism detection software and other tools to spot essays that aren't authentic. Even if you think the risk is low, admissions officers read thousands of essays each year and can often recognize when an essay doesn’t match a student’s writing style or academic record. There have been cases of students getting caught, which can severely damage their academic future and reputation.

While it’s understandable to feel overwhelmed by your workload, the best solution is to seek help that supports you without crossing ethical lines. For example, it’s fine to get feedback from a teacher, counselor, or an editing service that guides you—but the actual writing and the ideas should always be your own. Let’s say you’ve written a draft and feel stuck; sharing it with a trusted adult for feedback is very different from paying someone to craft the essay from scratch.

In fact, admissions officers value authentic writing, even if it isn’t perfect. A personal essay that shows your real interests and voice will stand out much more than something that sounds generic or polished to the point of losing personality. Rather than risking your future, try reaching out for advice, brainstorming support, or even outlining help. Colleges want to learn about the real you, and your best chances come from sharing your true story—in your own words.