IvyEssays levels playing field for school applicants

The service and World Wide Web site, http://www.ivyessays.com, which started in mid-December, sells sample essays for undergraduate, business, and law school applications. Prices range from $10 for a single essay to packages of several essays that sell for up to $60.

Helen Lee, managing editor for IvyEssays, said that since there are some inherent injustices in the admissions process, IvyEssays are attempting to level the playing field for all students.

"So far, people have been happy with our service," Lee said. "We have had a good response, not phenomenal or astronomical, though. We started the service a little late for this year's admission process."

Although the University of Arizona does not require an essay as part of the application for undergraduate admission, Margi Stevenson, director of Admissions and New Student Enrollment, said she feels that services such as IvyEssays make the admissions office's job more difficult.

"I am in favor of students being given models (of papers), but unfortunately, some students will pick them up and plagiarize them," Stevenson said.

Unlike the undergraduate application, the College of Law requires a personal statement as part of the application for admission.

"Personally, I feel that a personal statement is a very personal issue," said Terry Holpert, assistant dean for admissions at the College of Law. Holpert said using someone else's statement is like getting your diary ideas from someone else.

Lee said that no admissions officers have contacted IvyEssays, although it is aware that some folks are displeased with the service.

"I'm not sure why it's any higher concern than the books that are out on the market," Lee said. "By no means are we trying to encourage plagiarism. We're going to do as much as we can to cooperate with any university concerned about plagiarism by one of their applicants."

IvyEssays was founded by Williams College graduate Daniel Kaufman after he heard several Harvard students attempted to start a similar service and were pressured by the administration to shut it down.

IvyEssays will send essays via e-mail, fax or U.S. mail within three hours of receipt of payment. The service also buys successful essays and pays anywhere from $25 to $75, depending on the type and length.

IvyEssays also offers an essay editing service that provides the student with a personal assessment of their essay within 24 hours.