<p>I'm applying to a non-traditional program at a prestigious east coast school. People seems to think posting the actual essay is an awful idea. Why is this? I'd take the name of the school out. In the unlikely event that someone sees this and is in a similar boat they are welcome to try and rip off my life story, assuming they can do it with a straight face.</p>
<p>People DO steal essays they find online, and sites like College Confidential are prime hunting grounds. In the off chance someone steals yours, it could end up in someone’s database. Forever. So if another college uploads <em>yours</em> into the database to check for plagiarism, it will come back positive, possibly killing your admission. All it will take is a few sentences that match word for word.</p>
<p>Do you really want to take that chance, when it’s just as easy NOT to take the chance?</p>
<p>In addition, while the Internet pundit gallery may be able to help you refine your essay into a great advertisement for <em>somebody</em>, we can’t do anything meaningful to ensure that somebody actually resembles <em>you</em>.</p>
<p>The best editors for your application essay are people who know you well. You need readers who will not only correct your grammar and spelling and rhetorical structure, but also point out how you can shape the tone and narrative to more closely reflect who you are and why you are a brilliant candidate.</p>
<p>DO NOT POST YOUR ESSAYS ONLINE- IT IS BAD </p>