<p>Obviously college is all any senior is talking about right now. And I can't help but overhear and get a little irritated with how I've heard people are filling out their apps.</p>
<p>Parents writing essays for their children makes me mad. Really mad. But then there are the kids who completely make things up. Whether it's completely lie about an activity altogether, lie about the time they volunteered on it, or something else. </p>
<p>I think there's definitely a difference between really talking up an activity, like it was your pride and joy and life's passion but that's not lying. Being passionate is just how you get into college. </p>
<p>In addition to the parental essay writing (which is so wrong) I've heard people talking about, and actually SEEN on some of my friend's apps things that they just didn't do. </p>
<p>It makes college too competitive. It's not fair for those who really actually work. Honestly, if I didn't have a conscience at all, I'm sure I could get away with doing something like that because I'm a good writer and passion can be faked if you pick your words carefully.</p>
<p>When I went to visit NYU, I was talking with a student I was hanging out with for the day and they explicitly told me to make some things up because "everyone does it". </p>
<p>Anyone want to weigh in on this? Is it as common as I think it is?</p>
<p>I know there are people who may exaggerate a personal event or issue to explain lackluster grades. One of my friends is apparently the editor of the school newspaper; another is passionate about chess. I feel your pain. It happens. We can’t do anything but wait for karma.</p>
<p>I actually am the editor of the newspaper and its a lot of work n__n. Can’t imagine making that one up. How sad. It makes me feel like I have to lie just to be competitive. Mergh. How can you not feel guilty? Especially if you lie a lot and it gets you into a school you don’t deserve to be at.</p>
<p>One of my teachers said our generation doesn’t have shame. I think he’s right. The only thing giving me solace is that I destroyed both of them on Words with Friends :D</p>
<p>What’s even more morally corrupt? My GC announced to my school’s class of seniors that it was okay to lie about your intended study in college in order to gain accepted letters and scholarships. </p>
<p>I highly doubt there is a person going to quadruple major in Art, Business, Music, and Math…</p>
<p>^If anyone’s going to make up a random intended major in college, he/she better have the appropriate ECs/passion in your essays to support that.</p>
<p>That’s horrible advice though. Don’t you have to get accepted to a program at certain schools to actually study there? Like NYU, you can’t rely on being able to transfer to Stern if you got into CAS. Whole year wasted.</p>
<p>Here is the truth – We took essay writing very seriously and hired a reputable coach to guide my son on how to write an essay. Here are some of the comments from a professional:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>College application reviewers, especially from prestigious colleges, can spot essays written by adults in a heartbeat. Word usage is different, grammar usage is different and subject matter can look contrived. Don’t even attempt to fool them in this way.</p></li>
<li><p>Lying about experiences can get your acceptance rescinded. Again, embellishment and lies can usually be spotted a mile away by professional reviewers. Additionally, they can often tell by your academic and EC interests if something fits your profile or not. Most of the time you will just not be accepted and never know why. </p></li>
<li><p>If you lie, you may end up going to a school that does not fit you culturally and academically. It is very possible that you will fail out or become very disgruntled with the school if you get accepted under pretense.</p></li>
</ol>