Is it ever okay to buy a college essay, or is it super risky?
I’m really stressed about my college application essays right now and feel so behind compared to everyone I know. There are a ton of websites advertising 'custom essays,' and sometimes I see ads for people who will write your personal statement for you. I would never want to do something unethical, but I’m starting to panic because English isn’t my strongest subject and the deadlines are coming up.
Do people actually use these services and get away with it, or do colleges have ways to catch if you buy an essay somewhere? I want to know how much trouble someone could get in if they did this. At the same time, can you get help without it crossing the line? I’d love to hear what others have experienced with this or if tutors are a better option.
Do people actually use these services and get away with it, or do colleges have ways to catch if you buy an essay somewhere? I want to know how much trouble someone could get in if they did this. At the same time, can you get help without it crossing the line? I’d love to hear what others have experienced with this or if tutors are a better option.
4 months ago
•
11 views
Camille Luong
• 4 months ago
Advisor
It's totally normal to feel stressed about college essays, especially if English isn’t your first language or you feel behind. You’re definitely not alone—almost every applicant has moments of doubt or panic during this process.
Buying a college essay, however, is very risky and is considered a serious violation of most schools' academic integrity policies. Submitting an essay written by someone else is viewed as plagiarism. Colleges use a variety of tools to spot essays that aren’t authentic, from plagiarism detection software to admissions officers who are trained to spot writing that doesn’t match the rest of your application or feels generic. If you're caught, your application could be rejected. At some places, you could even be banned from applying in the future. It’s really not worth the risk.
Instead, it’s 100% okay—and even wise—to get help in legitimate ways. Many students work with tutors, teachers, or essay review services who can help you brainstorm, edit, and guide you through the process. These supporters can help you clarify your voice and correct grammar, but you should always write your own draft and make sure the story is genuinely yours. For example, if you draft something about your grandmother inspiring you to pursue medicine, it’s fine for a teacher to suggest organizing it better or fixing awkward sentences, as long as the ideas and wording are still yours.
A lot of students feel anxious about being judged for their language skills, but admissions officers know that not everyone is a perfect writer—especially international or bilingual applicants. They care more about learning who you are and how you think.
If you’re struggling, consider asking a favorite teacher, school counselor, or joining writing workshops. These are ethical, helpful ways to get input and grow as a writer without risking the consequences of buying an essay. Forums like this one are also great for getting feedback without crossing the line. The key is that the work and the voice should be yours. That’s what colleges really want to see.
Buying a college essay, however, is very risky and is considered a serious violation of most schools' academic integrity policies. Submitting an essay written by someone else is viewed as plagiarism. Colleges use a variety of tools to spot essays that aren’t authentic, from plagiarism detection software to admissions officers who are trained to spot writing that doesn’t match the rest of your application or feels generic. If you're caught, your application could be rejected. At some places, you could even be banned from applying in the future. It’s really not worth the risk.
Instead, it’s 100% okay—and even wise—to get help in legitimate ways. Many students work with tutors, teachers, or essay review services who can help you brainstorm, edit, and guide you through the process. These supporters can help you clarify your voice and correct grammar, but you should always write your own draft and make sure the story is genuinely yours. For example, if you draft something about your grandmother inspiring you to pursue medicine, it’s fine for a teacher to suggest organizing it better or fixing awkward sentences, as long as the ideas and wording are still yours.
A lot of students feel anxious about being judged for their language skills, but admissions officers know that not everyone is a perfect writer—especially international or bilingual applicants. They care more about learning who you are and how you think.
If you’re struggling, consider asking a favorite teacher, school counselor, or joining writing workshops. These are ethical, helpful ways to get input and grow as a writer without risking the consequences of buying an essay. Forums like this one are also great for getting feedback without crossing the line. The key is that the work and the voice should be yours. That’s what colleges really want to see.
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Camille Luong
Nomadic
Stanford University, BAH in Urban Studies
Experience
5 years
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5.0 (5 reviews)