<p>Today my son confessed to me that he lied about his SAT scores to the UC's and CSU's. I am angered, confused, and worried for my son. He has worked hard taking honors and AP classes. If he is accepted for admission into the schools what will happen to him? Do they ask for official SAT transcripts once students are admitted? My son has ethics, I just feel that I have pushed him too hard. Any input is greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>Thanks alot for your time</p>
<p>Most colleges use for admissions purposes the official score reports that are sent by the College Board. Although many colleges ask for scores on the application forms that students fill out, my best guess is that the colleges do this to make sure that they have gotten or recorded the students' official reports. With many students taking the tests several times, and with some students' applications arriving before the scores arrive, it would be easy for colleges to make mistakes in recording or filing the official reports.</p>
<p>My guess is that the colleges may contact your S's guidance counselor or your S to find out why they haven't yet received the official scores that your S put on his application. When the colleges realize that your S has lied, they could decide to not accept him. Consequently, my advice would be for your S to inform the colleges that what he put on his application was incorrect. He also will need to have the real scores sent.</p>
<p>This is my best advice, but I don't live in Calif., so there probably are more informed people here than me.</p>
<p>I suggest that you also post on CC's Parents Forum because you'll probably get some informed and wise help there.</p>
<p>They get the official scores but some schools only need them by the time they go into committee from what I've heard, which is why some allow you to send scores after the deadline. They will use your self reported for the initial review but will get the official before they make a decision. They expect them to match because you sign an honor statement on the application. I don't know what you can do now. It won't look good. But maybe you could write a letter of apology or something?</p>
<p>Thank you alot Northstarmom</p>
<p>Do not write an apology.
DO NOT.
Your son may be able to pull this off without having to make it seem at all as if he lied on his application.
I for one, accidently, switched my math and verbal scores on my application, and only realized it 2 days after I submitted it. I e-mailed them, saying I accidently mismatched the two sections, and they answered back very politely: "Thank for the notification. The changes will be made on your application." (along those lines)
Although your son's act is unacceptable, I truly feel his position. I did not have to lie about my scores, but I understand why he would do it. Although your son's mistake was not as subtle as mine, I'm sure he can make it work out by telling a "white-lie" to the admissions committee. I wish you two good luck.</p>
<p>p.s.- dont push your son too hard.. I know how it feels to be under so much pressure, and believe me, it isnt the best feeling.</p>
<p>1231, If he is accepted dont the University's(UC's and CSU's) ask for an official transcript of your GPA and SAT scores? The scores are not switiched, they are falsified by 100 parts on each section :( Im not sure about not writting an apology. I am making him do it right now because I heard if you are admitted, the univeristy will then ask for official testscores. </p>
<p>Thanks for your input 1231</p>
<p>Most schools require an official report BEFORE he's admitted.</p>
<p>Writing an apology will make it seem intentional (which it was of course), and that kind of academic dishonesty could really hurt his chances.</p>
<p>On the other hand, informing the schools that he accidentally wrote the wrong numbers (and then telling them what the correct ones were) is a better idea, and it probably won't receive as much attention as writing an apology (they'll probably just acknowledge it and correct the scores in their files).</p>
<p>good point GoldShadow</p>
<p>Or he could let the colleges know that the numbers are wrong without his apologizing or lying by stating that he wrote the wrong scores unintentionally. I don't suggest that he compound his unethical behavior by lying.</p>
<p>He could write something like: "In looking over a copy of my application, I realize that I listed my SAT scores incorrectly. Please change them to the correct scores, which are: ...."</p>
<p>For all the college would know, it could have been an honest mistake. It's not unusual for students to make mistakes on their applications.</p>
<p>Northstarmom makes a good point. I would simply write that letter and send it to all of the UCs and CSUs that he applied to, and they will just make the change on his application. I highly doubt they will count the mistake against him, especially if he sends the letter very soon (preferably before the November 30th UC deadline).</p>
<p>I second what Northstarmom said.
For UCs (I don't know about CSUs), you are required to send all your SAT scores by end of Dec. So I suggest you send a note to UCs ASAP.
Oh yeah, Did you request TCB to send your SAT scores? You should probably do that soon as well to avoid the extra $26.5 for rush delivery.. althought this is probably the last thing on your list, I just wanted to mention it.</p>
<p>My heart goes out to you and your son, good luck!</p>