The rest of my application is completely accurate except for the first generation college question. For both my parents I put “some college” because I knew they both went to college and then dropped out, but after talking to them it turns out they both went back later (both at a local university for about 2 years) and got their bachelors. After I found this out I had already submitted my application to the school and got accepted. I made sure that when I later filled out my FAFSA I put that my parents went to college and I put it on every college I applied to after that. I know I should have known this about my parents but they are both very busy and I just didn’t call because I was pretty sure. I feel absolutely horrible. I got into the college of my dreams, and now i dont know if I will get expelled. I got into a top 20 school and I know they dont take kindly to liars. Please is there any advice? I truly regret my mistake.
Since they’ll see it anyway on the FAFSA, you should bring it to their attention and explain as you did here, showing that you’re honest and it was a mistake.
I’d contact your admission rep, say you just realized there is a discrepancy on your app, and you would like to talk to them to clear it up. Then explain what you told us – you just found out, and wanted to clarify it with them.
do you think I will get expelled?
I don’t know. I would guess not, but if they find out some other way and they care, the odds go up that they would rescind. So call them.
I think they will be fine with the error if you explain it. Otherwise, it could be viewed as a deliberate lie, which would not be good. It doesn’t surprise me that you wouldn’t know a detail like that. My kids still shock me when they don’t know things about our family that I assumed they would’ve picked up on by now.
If I was in this position, I would CALL the admissions office. They’ll be willing to speak with you (since you’re accepted + committed), and it will––in my opinion––be easier to explain your genuine mistake to them over the phone. This should be enough and end your worries. If for some reason not, talk with your GC and parents about next steps.
I’d definitely call the admissions office to explain your situation. It doesn’t seem like anything major, so chances are that they won’t rescind.
I am going to be a dissenter here, mainly because you did say on your app that your parents had some college. The college wouldn’t have viewed you as first gen (correct me if I am wrong on that) so I doubt that was a consideration in your favor.
This was an honest mistake. I don’t feel it is worth calling attention to. The college isn’t looking at your Fafsa. If anyone looks at it, it would be the FA office. The FA office isn’t going to be looking at your application. If, by some very remote chance, someone questioned you about this, and I don’t see how or why they ever would, I am pretty sure that saying what you said here would be all the explanantion needed.
I cannot see you being rescinded over something like this. If you are really concerned, I would send a very simple email to the admissions office and say very casually that you made a mistake and didn’t realize until talking to your parents recently. I would certainly not call, as it seems to me one of those conversations that could easily end up becoming a jumbled mess. Email is,better, becasue if they want to make a correction to your app, the info will be right there on a screen in front of them. All due respect to the other posters, but I think this is much ado about nothing.
You didn’t “lie”. Lying is an intentional act. You made a mistake.
A polite email mentioning that you had wrongly indicated “some college” because you werent’ aware that your parents went back later and completed their degrees.
Assuming this is accurate and truthful, agree that a call from you to your rep in the admissions office with an explanation is in order.
Thank you all, I really appreciate the honest advice.
It was an honest mistake, I know it may cost me my admission.
The school is Cornell, if anyone was wondering.
These mistakes happen. You simply made a ministerial error by checking a box you should not have. A simple error. I would notify the school of this error so that they can correct their records. No worries.
I promise I did not do it intentionally, and I feel awful about it, I put they went to “some college” and listed what school they went to but i did not put “graduate of college”, and the rest of my application is completely truthful. I knew I should have verified this with my parents (we live in different states but I still could’ve called) but I did not, and i truly regret it. That is why after I realized my mistake, I made sure on my FAFSA and all the other financial aid stuff I had to submit, I put the correct information.
I think you are worrying about this way too much. You can give them a quick call, say what happened but do NOT make a big deal out of it. It’s not that big of a deal and I wouldn’t make it out to be.
It is not going to cost your admission.
Thank you @Lindagaf for all your advice and your consolation.
I agree with Lindagaf’s post #8.
But whatever you do, do NOT say you lied. Do not use the word “lie.” Lying is serious and deliberate, and that is NOT what happened. No one will see what happened as unethical unless you signal them that they should, by using a heavily laden word like “lie.” You had incomplete information. Period.
Do not create a problem for yourself when none exists. You did not lie. If you say you lied, you will create a problem for yourself.
I would leave it alone were I you!!! I would say nothing and then just honestly answer any questions you might be asked. You probably won’t be asked anything, anyway. No one is out looking for inconsistencies. But if you feel you need to say something, keep it simple and matter of fact. “I thought… but I just found out… I am letting you know in case you keep records for institutional research. Please contact me if you have any questions.” Your purpose is to make sure their information is accurate, not to reveal some terrible error or moral failing on your part. There was none.