It is estimated that already 15 in 100 applications at selective schools contain false information. So far, no school has reported an incident of students' plagiarizing essays from either site, although in 1995, Harvard rejected several applicants who cribbed from an essay on a noncommercial Web site. A wonderful essay from an applicant with a low verbal SAT score, for instance, might be cause for investigation. Admissions officers also are continuing to warn students that the penalties for cheaters are severe, says Harvard and Radcliffe Colleges Admissions Director Marlyn McGrath Lewis. Colleges almost always reject students who are found to have cheated on their essays or embellished their records.
Schools usually notify the other institutions to which the student has applied.
Cheaters also can face copyright infringement charges if they plagiarize materials from IvyEssays, CollegeGate, or other essay services. World Report Inc. All rights reserved. Read our information page .