Introduction to Ultius
Founded in 2010, Ultius is an online writing service that provides custom academic papers for students, as well as business writing and translation services. The company is based in Denver, Colorado and has filled over 500,000 orders since its inception. Ultius offers a range of writing and editing services including:
Academic Paper Writing: Ultius writers can complete research papers, case studies, literature reviews, essays, dissertations, and more on a wide variety of subjects across various academic disciplines. Papers are written from scratch to meet specific guidelines and citation styles.
Business Writing: Services include white papers, press releases, web content, email marketing campaigns, technical documentation, resume/cover letters, and more. Writers tailor the content to the client’s industry and brand voice.
Translations: Documents can be translated from English into other languages like Spanish, French, Chinese, Russian, and more or vice versa. Translators are native speakers of the target language.
Proofreading & Editing: Papers and documents are reviewed for grammatical errors, structural issues, missing citations, consistency and flow, adherence to guidelines, and more. Formatting styles include APA, MLA, Chicago/Turabian, Harvard, and others.
Thesis & Dissertation Formatting: Structural and stylistic formatting of academic papers, abstracts, table of contents, references, appendices, and correct application of formatting style guidelines.
In addition to content production and editing services, Ultius offers tools for tracking orders, an affiliate program, and on-demand writing when quick turnarounds are needed. Let’s examine some key aspects of the Ultius writing process in more depth.
The Writing and Editing Process
When a client places an order on Ultius, detailed guidelines about the paper requirements are collected, including word count, academic level, subject, specifications on voice/style, and deadline. The order is then assigned to a qualified writer based on their expertise in that subject area.
Writers have educational backgrounds at the master’s degree level or higher. They undergo screening that may include testing, writing samples, and Skype interviews. Ultius maintains a large pool of freelance writers to maintain quick turnarounds.
After assignment, the writer researches and writes the paper from scratch to address the specific guidelines. Papers are original, not resold, and checked for plagiarism using online detectors. During the process, the writer and client can communicate within the Ultius messaging system about revisions or clarification.
Once completed, the paper is edited by a separate editor at Ultius who checks for consistent formatting, proper citation and referencing per specified style, grammar and spelling accuracy, and overall flow and structure.
The final paper is sent to the client with a certificate of authenticity and option for a free revision within 7 days if needed. Turnaround times generally range from 3 hours for regular orders up to 20 days maximum for more complex requests like dissertations.
Clientele and Prices
Ultius primarily serves undergraduate and graduate students, but also works with academic researchers, small businesses, non-profits, and individual professionals who need writing assistance.
Pricing is customizable based on academic level, word count, subject area, deadline, and other specifications. As a guideline, standard college papers like a 1000-word essay start at around $10-15 per page while dissertations and complex projects requiring subject matter expertise may cost over $100 per page. Volume discounts and loyalty points are also available for repeat clients.
Payments are accepted via all major credit/debit cards as well as bitcoin. In addition to taking one-time orders, Ultius offers subscriptions that waive base purchase costs and afford priority access to elite writers. Subscriptions are good for 3-6 months depending on the package selected.
Quality Control & Confidentiality
Ultius places strong emphasis on quality control throughout the writing process from writer selection to final proofreading. Writers undergo extensive screening and are continuously evaluated based on client feedback and internal quality assurance reviews.
The company is transparent about using writers located globally. It claims all workers meet the same educational and skill requirements regardless of location. An in-house team of academic experts is available for difficult requests or second opinions about quality concerns that arise.
Client confidentiality is strictly maintained according to Ultius’ privacy policy. All orders, personal details, documents, and communications are kept private and not disclosed to third parties. Plagiarized and previously submitted papers are strictly prohibited and subject to consequence under Ultius’ terms of service.
Affiliates & Customer Support
Ultius runs an affiliate program that rewards participants for referrals leading to completed client orders. With no fee to join, affiliates earn 25-30% commissions on procured sales depending on tier level. Significant bonuses are provided for volume performance each month.
Customer support services are available 24/7 through online and phone channels. A dedicated account manager follows up on custom projects. Ultius also provides learning resources like writing tutorials, citation guides, and a sample paper library for clients to draw inspiration or examples.
Reviews & Credentials
Online reviews of Ultius from platforms like SiteJabber, TrustPilot and consumer websites tend to average 3.5-4 stars out of 5. Positives commonly referenced include timely delivery, affordable prices, friendly support staff, and papers meeting basic quality standards for the cost.
Criticisms center around occasional inconsistencies, grammatical errors slipping through editing, and frustrations with stringent policies against revising completed works. Ultius highlights its generous return windows and emphasizes continuous quality refinement based on feedback.
The company holds an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Academic associations have not officially accredited Ultius due to the legitimate concerns around using third parties for coursework. Ultius writers undergo substantial screening and adhere to best practices for attribution and original content. Overall credentialing appears appropriate relative to industry standards.
Ultius strives to maintain full compliance with all applicable laws, including those prohibiting dishonest services or academic fraud. It advises clients to review school policies on collaboration and properly attribute all purchased works according to citation guidelines. Papers are sold strictly as reference or sample materials, not direct submissions.
Conclusions
Ultius aims to provide a scalable, reasonably-priced solution for students and professionals requiring writing assistance amidst busy schedules. While no replacement for developing skills independently, its approach to quality control, confidentiality protection and transparent disclosures regarding services appears better regulated than some competitors.
Drawbacks remain around inconsistent quality control slipping through on complex orders, rigid policies against post-submission revisions, and lack of official academic accreditation. Ultius continues refining processes according to client input – important considerations that many buyers are willing to accept at affordable price points for supplemental services. Overall, Ultius presents a viable option among online writing companies for time-strapped customers. But as with any such service, full attribution and compliance with school/workplace integrity standards is required for ethical use of purchased works.
Andrew Stroud