If an applicant does not disclose a misdemeanor they are facing when asked in an application, how could a college find out? Do colleges generally only do background checks when there is a legitimate reason to be suspicious?
Schools typically employ a third-party company to do background checks on a random selection of their incoming class. Honestly, I would disclose it if you’re applying to one of the elite institutions. It’s likely to come out one way or another during the junior/senior year recruiting process.
No one on this board is going to advise you on how to commit fraud. You sign a statement on your application affirming that you are being truthful.
Aren’t you innocent until proven guilty?
For the Common App, at least, it only asks for those cases when proven guilty.
Regardless, the applicant is given an opportunity to explain. With all that said, one should still answer the question truthfully.