iMapple94

Do colleges check EVERY ESSAY THEY READ for Plagiarism?
what are the consequences for getting caught?

CantConcentrate

Regardless of whether they do or not, you shouldn't plagiarize.

IMNOTCERTAIN

Im sure they check some if they are suspicious, but, in all honesty, they couldnt check all or even most of them. I couldnt actually say for the consequences, but I would not risk it because most likely it means instant rejection and they will probably let it be known that you plagiarized and other colleges would see you as dishonest and not accept you.

suburiboy

If you plagiarize then you suck. End of story. Turn in the gun and badge; you are off the case at life.



But yeh, as said before, they probably only check if the suspect you based on the essay. If you get caught, then you are automatically not getting in there, with a high chance of them spreading rumors about you, and you not getting in elsewhere.

born2dance94

Yes. Always. (If that will convince you not to plagiarize, then that's the answer I'll give).

Ana1

It is very easy to check all because it can be done thru a computer very fast. Harvard discloses it on the bottom of the application that it hires an outside company to do that.

"Verification of Application Materials:

Please be aware that Harvard, like most schools, uses outside companies to help process, review and collect data for applications. For this purpose we share application materials and information with them. Examples of such outside companies include the Common Application, transcript request services, and services that review materials for plagiarism. These companies in many cases will retain the application information in their databases. We also share application information with our alumni interviewers."

T26E4

I'm sure they read thousands of mediocre essays that will lead the applicant no where anyway (i.e. reject pile). No need to ever check on those... Depending on where you applied, it's more likely you submitted an unsubstantial essay regardless.

Pancaked

Yeah as Ana mentioned, keep in mind that there are tons of services that will quickly and thoroughly search essays for similar phrases both on the internet and on other student essays.... SafeAssign, TurnItIn, etc. It's really no trouble at all to run them through a plagiarism check.

lioness4

obviously it's not fool proof but who wants to chance it? they do use software and compare to writing sections of ACT and SAT. it would be immediate rejection, notification of other schools through common app, and probably notification of your HS.....yuck in general!!

coureur

Why are you asking this question? Why does it matter whether they do or don't?

stagemum

They might not check every essay, but they probably scour sites like this to check up on people who have to ask that question. If you have been foolish enough to post frequently, and include telltale facts about yourself, then forewarned is forearmed.

mikemac

10 years ago you probably could have easily gotten away with it. Colleges had sheets of typed essays and no easy way to check them. But there are now companies that search essays for plagiarism, and its easy to submit since essays are sent to the college electronically. So the odds of being caught are pretty high if the college checks.

What to worry about more IMHO is if you apply to a college that doesn't check, because you can bet that companies selling the service are calling on these colleges and offering to demo what their tool can do. They're not going to give it away by screening the current applicants, that's the service they sell after all. So they might kindly offer to screen past essays...

born2dance94

And if yours turns up a year or so from now as plagiarized, they'll likely expel you. And if it turns up after you've graduated, they can rescind your degree.

Ana1

It is so simple to check nowadays. At my local high school, at least all weekly AP and Honors English/History classes assignments have to be turned in through turnitin.You are going to destroy your life because this is also some kind of legal offense and the school might also decide to make you a public example.