Considering how rampant plagiarism is becoming in the admissions process, I’m sure colleges are on the look-out for identical essays among applicants. However, what is the protocol for having essays that are similar (as in content, topic, etc), but not word-for-word plagiarized? I only ask as I wrote one of my supplements on a relatively common topic (reading and how certain books have impacted me) and wouldn’t be surprised if some of the phrasing is relatively similar to other essays on the same topic. Would AOs be suspicious of this, or does this only happen with blatantly plagiarized, copy-and-pasted essays?
If you think your essay is so similar to other essays that AO’s suspect you are plagiarizing, then I would recommend revising your essay so that it is a little more unique and better portrays who YOU are as a person. Given that, any essay that you wrote by yourself should really be unique enough so that plagiarism is not an issue. Reading and books is a common topic, but you can add things in that make your essay stand out from others. Hope this helps!
All essays regardless of what it is should be SO unique to you that no one can put their name on it but you. That being said, if it comes to the point where you are worried if your essay is so similar to others then it may be a bad essay that showcases nothing about you.
This is not a normal concern. Is there more that you would like to share ?
“wouldn’t be surprised if some of the phrasing is relatively similar to other essays on the same topic.” That’s a big Hmmm.
No, you do not have to be unique. Yes, it needs to be your own work. You talk about Yale on other threads. That requires being on your toes. If you worked on this with a local friend who’s also applying, you’d both have the same regional AO.