Last visit was: 19 Nov 2025, 05:52 It is currently 19 Nov 2025, 05:52
Home
GMAT
Messages
Tests
Schools
Events
Rewards
Chat
My Profile
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Go to My Error Log Learn more
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
User avatar
Nsentra
User avatar
Joined: 31 Jul 2006
Last visit: 23 May 2008
Posts: 370
Own Kudos:
319
Posts: 370
Kudos: 319
Personal Statement Essay 12 Nov 2006, 17:35
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Can I use a question and essay from an application to another school for a personal statement essay of my own choice in an application a different school?

Are there any copyright issues with that?
and
Will the school frown upon this because
a. I didn't try to be original for their essay question?
b. I am applying to other similar schools.
User avatar
rhyme
User avatar
Major Poster
Joined: 05 Apr 2006
Last visit: 02 Dec 2024
Posts: 5,909
Own Kudos:
3,172
Given Kudos: 7
Affiliations: HHonors Diamond, BGS Honor Society
Schools: Chicago (Booth) - Class of 2009
GMAT 1: 730 Q45 V45
WE:Business Development (Consumer Packaged Goods)
Schools: Chicago (Booth) - Class of 2009
GMAT 1: 730 Q45 V45
Posts: 5,909
Kudos: 3,172
Personal Statement Essay 12 Nov 2006, 18:10
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Nsentra
Can I use a question and essay from an application to another school for a personal statement essay of my own choice in an application a different school?

Are there any copyright issues with that?
and
Will the school frown upon this because
a. I didn't try to be original for their essay question?
b. I am applying to other similar schools.
Show more


Assuming you wrote the essay yes. It's your work presumably, so no copyright issues. If it's not your work and you bought the essay outright from someone else, you have bigger problems.

Theres nothing wrong with using someone else's question but keep in mind that you absolutely need to tweak it to fit the school. This is the easiest way to screw up - make sure that it sounds like you wrote it for the school. DO NOT PUT THE ORIGINAL QUESTION IN YOUR ESSAY. Paraphrase it.

If the question was "Tell us about an experience which highlighted your leadership strengths and weaknesses", you could rephrase as "I appreciate the opportunity to discuss my leadership experiences, and how I believe they relate to X".

Also be careful with repeating yourself. Make sure what you pick adds value and doesn't just regurgitate stuff you've already said.
User avatar
Nsentra
User avatar
Joined: 31 Jul 2006
Last visit: 23 May 2008
Posts: 370
Own Kudos:
319
Posts: 370
Kudos: 319
Personal Statement Essay 12 Nov 2006, 20:01
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Yes absolutely my own work. I get your point and I understand how to approach this now, thank you.