Hi all,
As I’m sure you all know, I need to put the level of education my parent’s received on the Common App, but she won’t be honest with me about the details. She said she went to St. Paul’s University in Quezon City, Philippines, but in the past flipped from saying she had a masters, associates, and bachelors; I don’t know why she won’t tell me.
Anyway I kind of doubt she has any higher ed at all, so would it be safe to put high school diploma as highest level of education on the common app or do you think they’ll check the records or something and find out she has a degree from that university?
Go ask her if she graduated. If she has a degree, you have to check the box for “college graduate.” If she only attended but didn’t graduate, check the box for “some college.” It doesn’t matter whether or not they’ll check. Just tell the truth.
Ideally, your parent will give you accurate information. Perhaps you can explain that the Common App needs accurate information and false information can hurt you? In the end, your answers on the common are the answers you reach in (1) good faith, (2) after reasonable efforts to obtain accurate information, and (3) based on your knowledge at the time of answering or submission.
If the school can check, can’t you check?
How about an email to the school?
I highly doubt they will take the time to check your parents education. I kind of thought that was just to gage the kind of educational background you come from. Usually educated parents can indicate the kids having a better chance of attending college (not necessarily succeeding). If your parents didn’t attend college then that would give you a “hook” being the first in your family to go. I think…I have only been reading here a few months.