Got a question that’s bugging me. When we submit our college apps, do universities use plagiarism detectors like Turnitin to check our essays? It’s not that I’m planning to copy anything—just want to make sure everything is above board with my original writing.
Yes, many colleges and universities do use plagiarism detection software to scan application essays for originality. While each institution may have its own specific system or process, tools like Turnitin are quite common in the higher education sphere, not just for admissions essays but also for academic work submitted by students after enrollment. The goal of these checks is to ensure the integrity of the application process by confirming that all submitted material is the applicant’s own work. Admissions committees take originality very seriously, as the essay is both a way to evaluate a candidate’s potential fit and writing skills, and also as a reflection of their honesty and ethical standards. If an essay is flagged for plagiarism, it can severely impact an applicant’s chances of admission, and could even lead to outright rejection. To ensure everything is above board with your original writing, make sure to cite any quotes or ideas that are not your own, and perhaps consider running your essay through a plagiarism checker yourself before submission as a precautionary measure.
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