<p>OK, when applying to colleges we all know that extracurricular activities look nice on your application. But, my question is, how would colleges know that you've actually done / participated in all of the extracurricular activities you've listed?</p>
<p>They generally don't. But if something looks fishy or not right they could always check it out- if you claimed to have won some big award or contest or president of some club. Otherwise not really.</p>
<p>Well, this area could well be something addressed in the guidance counselor recommendation. If the application and recommendation don't jibe, I would think that would be it for the possibilities of acceptance. And if they found out a student lied on the application, they might kick the student out. A signature on the application is supposed to affirm you are telling the truth, after all. And truth is a good thing ...</p>
<p>Not to get preachy with you, but would a student feel good getting into a college if he never knew if he did it on his own merits or by lying?</p>