<p>well, any ideas? do they randomly choose applicants and do background checks to see if the info they provide is accurate?</p>
<p>couldnt anyone right down that they've played the sax for 10 years, or that they've played varsity ball, or tennis, or anything of that sort?</p>
<p>not too sure but i think that they would check for big things like first place for some national or international competition
that stuff is easy to look up
for school stuff
they could check the school records, but that's quite some work to do
as for playing the sax for 10 years, i doubt they will or can check that
but overall if they find out you're lying - you're screwed</p>
<p>Rule #1: Don't get caught.</p>
<p>And didn't you know? Each college has a specially hired squad of CIA (College Intelligence Agency) members that follows you around.</p>
<p>UC's will sample a random 10% to verify a part of their application. This ranges anything from log of CS hrs to the Death Certificate of a loved one mentioned in the personal statement.</p>
<p>I believe I read on CC somewhere that Ivies will not check your EC's. Obviously if you say you won the National Spelling Bee 3 years in a row, that would raise some sort of red flag, but the large number of them will go undetected. What they will do is ask about these EC's in the interview, and if you don't give the satisfactory answers, they'll have an idea of what's happening. Also, Harvard has the right to revoke your admission at ANY time in your life. There was a story on that same thread about how a man graduated from Harvard 20 years ago had his diploma revoked because it was discovered that he lied on his app. Simply put, don't get caught.</p>
<p>ADCOMS are experts at detecting BS. For instance, if you say that you are the president of the acapella group at your high school, but your English teacher says that you are as quiet as a mouse's fart in class that would raise a BS flag.</p>
<p>Yeah it does depend. You can always fill with stuff no one would check. Like you play sports with friends, or play some instrument, etc. etc. You could always join sports at school (then quit ehehehe) or play at times a few games of intramurals and put that on your app. Plus you can always bend it a bit. One of my friends was in the process joining the Spanish Honor Society (they did it late that year I dunno why). She didn't say she was in yet but said something to the affect of "got offered" or "joining". Either way its not a lie but even if rejected its still the truth. ^_^</p>
<p>But don't do like one kid in my class did for a competition in which he said he was the Assistant Manager of Geek Squad at a local Best Buy. If anyone from his job was at the competition (from another school) they would of so told the judges. So something like that is best not to do. </p>
<p>But actually if you think about it you have a lot more things. Remember the apps are to know who you are. They aren't just a checklist to see if you are up to snuff. So ANYTHING and I mean ANYTHING you do, put it on. Hobbies, sports, etc. Even if you play video games and won a few tournaments. Put it there. The more the better. But you know just don't put only video games. :P
Like if you work out put that in there (as strength training or bodybuilding though bodybuilding is kinda clear if you go in for an interview). </p>
<p>For example, if you go to an event like, we had the Marine Corps Fitness Challenge. I didn't make the team (cause I weight probably half of what everyone else does :P) but I really helped out a lot with training people (since I do strength training I included that too) and raising money so I included it. So from one thing I drew out what 3 or 4? You don't need to lie or bend the truth just draw out the stuff you do.</p>
<p>^ The common app. doesnt have enough room for almost anything. I'm not writing any hobbies or stuff like that down simply because 6 spots is only just enough for the clubs. I hate schools like Purdue University West Layfette that dont even give you a spot to list ANY EC's. -__-</p>
<p>@OP, if the varsity sport was important in admissions, they would contact you to recruit you, and when finding out you dont play it, flip out and pwn your soul</p>
<p>People who get in top schools usually don't have "10 years of sax" or "7 years of golf"... Their apps will be filled up with significant ECs that are not hard to check.</p>
<p>yea, its pretty easy to google who the international president of key club is, so you cant lie about something like that</p>
<p>damn what a bad topic. it has me wanting to lie on my application now haha. </p>
<p>How many of you guys have exaggerated even the slightest bit?</p>
<p>I know someone who is listing ECs (worked at venture capitalism firm, bank, etc.) that he did over the summer in China. I'm sure half of them are lies; it's just too bad colleges will never find out.</p>