Is it safe to use online college essay editing websites?
I've been looking at a bunch of online services that claim they can help improve my college essays, but I keep wondering whether they're actually safe or legit. Some of them are pretty expensive, and I'm worried about sending my essays out into cyberspace.
Do colleges care if you use these services? Could my essay get stolen or plagiarized? Has anyone used one of these sites and had a good or bad experience? Any advice would help since I'm starting to freak out about how many places my essay is being uploaded!
Do colleges care if you use these services? Could my essay get stolen or plagiarized? Has anyone used one of these sites and had a good or bad experience? Any advice would help since I'm starting to freak out about how many places my essay is being uploaded!
7 months ago
•
58 views
Dr. Craig Aimar
• 7 months ago
Advisor
Your concerns about using online college essay editing services are very valid, and it’s good you’re being careful with your work. In general, many reputable essay review sites are safe to use, but there are definitely some risks to watch for, especially when it comes to privacy, plagiarism, and legitimacy.
First, check if the service is transparent about how your work is handled. Make sure they clearly state that your essay will not be stored, reused, or shared without your permission. Look for privacy policies and read any user reviews—not just on their site, but on third-party platforms.
Colleges are generally fine with applicants getting feedback, as long as the work and voice are still yours. However, if you use a service that rewrites your essay or significantly changes your ideas, it could cross an ethical line. Admissions officers expect the essay to reflect your authentic experiences and writing style.
Plagiarism is the biggest risk if you use an untrustworthy website. There are stories of essays (or unique ideas from them) being reused or sold to other applicants. To protect yourself, avoid free or suspiciously cheap editing sites with minimal track record, and never share your essay on public forums or places that openly post submitted essays.
As for personal experiences, many students have felt reassured working with reputable editors or services, but only after vetting the company and making sure their policies matched what they felt comfortable with. For example, one applicant felt uneasy about a service that didn't respond to questions about privacy, so they used a different site that was clear about not storing or selling essays. Their experience was much better because they knew exactly how their work was being handled.
If possible, ask friends, a trusted teacher, or your school counselor for recommendations. Ultimately, don’t send your essay to any site unless you feel absolutely comfortable with their policies. If you ever see a site offering guarantees of admission or promising to "rewrite" your essay for you, that's a major red flag.
Stay cautious, trust your instincts, and prioritize your privacy. Good luck with your applications—you’ll do great!
First, check if the service is transparent about how your work is handled. Make sure they clearly state that your essay will not be stored, reused, or shared without your permission. Look for privacy policies and read any user reviews—not just on their site, but on third-party platforms.
Colleges are generally fine with applicants getting feedback, as long as the work and voice are still yours. However, if you use a service that rewrites your essay or significantly changes your ideas, it could cross an ethical line. Admissions officers expect the essay to reflect your authentic experiences and writing style.
Plagiarism is the biggest risk if you use an untrustworthy website. There are stories of essays (or unique ideas from them) being reused or sold to other applicants. To protect yourself, avoid free or suspiciously cheap editing sites with minimal track record, and never share your essay on public forums or places that openly post submitted essays.
As for personal experiences, many students have felt reassured working with reputable editors or services, but only after vetting the company and making sure their policies matched what they felt comfortable with. For example, one applicant felt uneasy about a service that didn't respond to questions about privacy, so they used a different site that was clear about not storing or selling essays. Their experience was much better because they knew exactly how their work was being handled.
If possible, ask friends, a trusted teacher, or your school counselor for recommendations. Ultimately, don’t send your essay to any site unless you feel absolutely comfortable with their policies. If you ever see a site offering guarantees of admission or promising to "rewrite" your essay for you, that's a major red flag.
Stay cautious, trust your instincts, and prioritize your privacy. Good luck with your applications—you’ll do great!
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Dr. Craig Aimar
Freeland, Michigan
Ph.D. Educational Leadership, Ed.S. Educational Administration, M.Ed., B.A. Secondary Education
Experience
23 years
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