<p>
[quote]
because ironically you're being honest about it.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Why would colleges take an applicant who is honest about cheating when they have plenty of applicants honest enough not to cheat in the first place? Yes, the essay stands out but not in a good way. Such an essay may not mean an auto-rejection, but it puts the applicant at a severe disadvantage. There are so many other good topics to write about; why risk it?</p>