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Original poster

To think I've messed everything up? Plagiarised my post graduate personal statement...

129 replies

changeitatanytime · 10/12/2021 14:46

I've name changed for obvious reasons. I'm in my last year of uni and in the process of applying for postgraduate courses. I've done something really stupid and I really don't know the right thing to do to rectify it.

Yeah I’ve really messed up. I copied some sentences from someone else’s personal statement on Google in relation to the course I’ve applied for. The sentences I copied were related to the field and they sounded good so I wrote my personal statement around them and meant to go back and change them into my own words (I know even that isn’t acceptable) and totally forgot until today. I submitted the application a couple weeks ago. It was only when I was reading it back that I remembered I hadn’t changed the sentences and when I copy and paste my statement into Google it comes up with the site I copied from.

I have went from feeling elated and excited about potentially getting an interview for this post grad to feeling really sick to my stomach and I’m not quite sure how I’m going to get through the next few months. Even if I do get an interview and/or place on the course I really don’t feel like I deserve it now. I’ve proper messed up and feel awful. I haven’t told anyone in real life so had to write it here. I am a 32 year old woman who should know better!

How do I handle this? My family and friends will be so disappointed in me.

Do I contact the university and tell them? Do I withdraw my application? I don’t know how I would explain that to my family. Do I sit and hope they don’t check for plagiarism? If so, and they don’t how can I morally live with myself.

I’ve totally messed everything up and feel so disappointed in myself, I’ve let everyone down.

I applied to the uni directly so I'm not sure if they put it through a plagiarism test or not. But even if not, I don't really deserve a place now.

It’s about 4/5 sentences out of a 1000 word personal statement. I am just praying they either don’t put it through a system or it’s not enough % for them to take too much notice. I’m so mad at myself, so stupid!

I'm so angry and disappointed in myself, I will never do this again.

Have I ruined my chances completely? What should I do?

OP posts:
TheMooch · 10/12/2021 15:34

@Summerfun54321

It’s post grad, they want you and your money. They won’t turn you away over this.
This.

Unless you are applying for a very popular over subscribed course they'll not do indepth checking on personal statements.

Don't worry.

OtterlyAwesome · 10/12/2021 15:36

It is very, very unlikely that they will check and to be honest, they won't care unless you've blatantly stolen a scientific idea and passed it as your own.

It's also really easy to change wording and then for it to be changed back during the editing phase.

Don't sweat and good luck with the application!

DuckbilledSplatterPuff · 10/12/2021 15:40

Do the sentences apply to you, as in are the true in your case? Presumably they are statements you agree with if you were originally using them as references. I think if the statements are accurate in relation to your case then its something you could explain.

Chinam · 10/12/2021 15:41

Even if it is run through plagiarism software, and it sounds very much like it won’t be, the similarity level will be very low if the rest of the statement is your own work. Try not to over think it.

ludocris · 10/12/2021 15:58

@GreenFingersWouldBeHandy

If you're copying and pasting stuff for the application, are you sure you should be doing a postgraduate degree?
Don't be the twat
OnlyAFleshWound · 10/12/2021 16:01

You sound really familiar with the processes and rules around plagiarism.

Have you been caught out this way before?

Pinkgold1 · 10/12/2021 16:10

4/5 lines in a 1000 word essay is substantial. Say that equates to 100 words. That means 10% of your “personal” statement was not written by you. Even if they don’t pick up your plagiarism - the fact you copied doesn’t show that you’re passionate about your subject.

Polmuggle · 10/12/2021 16:10

Honestly I don't even think this is something 'wrong'. A lot of academic study is about taking someone else's arguments and building on them, so your approach is right (yes of course you would normally quote or change language, and reference).

OnlyAFleshWound · 10/12/2021 16:11

@Polmuggle

Honestly I don't even think this is something 'wrong'. A lot of academic study is about taking someone else's arguments and building on them, so your approach is right (yes of course you would normally quote or change language, and reference).
How many postgrad degrees have you completed?
Pinkgold1 · 10/12/2021 16:14

@Polmuggle

Honestly I don't even think this is something 'wrong'. A lot of academic study is about taking someone else's arguments and building on them, so your approach is right (yes of course you would normally quote or change language, and reference).
Yes, but you quote and reference! You don’t pass off words as your own. If OP can’t manage a 1000 word personal statement then I don’t know how she’ll cope with a masters or PHD.
LittleGwyneth · 10/12/2021 16:20

I very much doubt they'll notice or care, unless they were super unusual sentences. I'm sure you'll be fine. People on here love to get on their high horses about these things. Good luck, try not to sweat it.

thing47 · 10/12/2021 16:22

@Polmuggle

Honestly I don't even think this is something 'wrong'. A lot of academic study is about taking someone else's arguments and building on them, so your approach is right (yes of course you would normally quote or change language, and reference).
Well you see there are these awfully clever things called quote marks, and you put them round words which aren't your own to indicate that you acknowledge they aren't your own words…

And then you reference them to precisely where you found them and who did actually say them to show that you are illustrating a point by using someone else's words.

Kanaloa · 10/12/2021 16:25

Did you not proofread/check read any of it? Surely that will be a bigger problem if you just dashed it off and didn’t bother with a read through.

Anyway I would worry if it was an essay but it’s a personal statement. Aren’t the hall basically the same? I know when I did my UCAS I couldn’t have picked my statement out of a lineup because they’re all the same thing.

Nocutenamesleft · 10/12/2021 16:26

So you didn’t even proof read it once?!?

Nomorepies · 10/12/2021 16:32

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ on the poster's request

Original poster
changeitatanytime · 10/12/2021 16:35

@OnlyAFleshWound

You sound really familiar with the processes and rules around plagiarism.

Have you been caught out this way before?

No never
OP posts:
Original poster
changeitatanytime · 10/12/2021 16:35

@OnlyAFleshWound

You sound really familiar with the processes and rules around plagiarism.

Have you been caught out this way before?

I've never been caught out this way as I've never done it before
OP posts:
NdujaWannaDance · 10/12/2021 16:41

Well you didn't forget unless you're sloppy and didn't bother to proof read (multiple times!) either, so don't bother with that shit here hmm

Honestly in your situation I would wait and see. Maybe you'll get away with it.

Exactly what I was thinking.

In this situation I would do nothing and wait and see. It's only a personal statement, not a dissertation.

If you get turned down take a year out and try again next year with a totally different PS and ideally a different uni.

justwantacuppa · 10/12/2021 16:41

I agree with a PP - unless it’s a super competitive course at a super competitive uni, the uni will just want your money. I did my MA at a reasonably well regarded uni and even then I actually don’t think anyone even took the time to read my personal statement let alone checked it for plagiarism as I got an offer almost straight away. Without sounding rude, a lot of the people on my course didn’t have a clue what was going on most of the time (to the extent of not knowing things which would have been covered in the subject at A-Level for example) despite it being a uni with reasonably high entry requirements for undergraduate level. I get the impression that for postgrad the uni just let anyone in! So do try not to worry OP Flowers

Floundery · 10/12/2021 16:44

This reply has been withdrawn

Message from MNHQ: This post has been withdrawn

ddl1 · 10/12/2021 16:48

Usually postgrad courses, at least in the UK, aren't that interested in your personal statement. They'd be much more interested in your references, your previous academic record, and (if it's a degree by research) your research proposal.

PupInAPram · 10/12/2021 16:50

@Sparklfairy

Well you didn't forget unless you're sloppy and didn't bother to proof read (multiple times!) either, so don't bother with that shit here Hmm

Honestly in your situation I would wait and see. Maybe you'll get away with it.

Wowsers @Sparklfairy, say what's on your mind! 😂
amusedbush · 10/12/2021 16:52

I worked in PG admissions until last summer and honestly, I had so many applications hitting my inbox every day I basically skimmed over the personal statement. As long as it mentioned the course by name and our university (you wouldn't believe how many said "I can't wait to study at the University of X!" when we were University of Y), it was ticked off on the checklist.

Nobody will be poring over every line, I promise.

And for the people scoffing that a personal statement would never go through plagiarism software, they do at undergrad. UCAS screen them and let the university know if there's an issue.

Kitkat151 · 10/12/2021 16:53

@Cosmois

They aren't going to run your personal statement through Google or a plagiarism checker.
This....non issue
Wimblingwombling · 10/12/2021 16:53

They won’t pick it up! Don’t worry!