All over 'em. Made up awards, leadership positions, essay content and summer programs.
By February the guilt caught up with me. Mid February, I withdrew every one of my college applications. I couldn’t live with the guilt of going to any school on an untruthful application – not to mention the idea that I would take a place from a more honest and deserving student. The sad thing is that without those lies I probably would have made a strong applicant to all of the schools I applied to. But I was so caught up in comparing myself to my peers and feeling inadequate that I couldn’t see who I really was. Now my future is uncertain because I didn’t trust myself, and I let my insecurities compromise everything I worked for over the last four years. In the fall, I’ll be going to community college, after my second or third year I’ll try to transfer into one of those schools I wanted to go to so badly – but this time, as a more confident person who won’t need stories to feel secure.
TO THOSE OF YOU CONSIDERING LYING ON YOUR APPLICATIONS: DON’T. You’re good enough!! YOU ARE GOOD ENOUGH!!! You don’t need lies! Colleges will want you for YOU not for who you think they want you to be! You’re good enough!!!
Wow, that is a very brave admission. Best of luck to you. You have a conscience and it will serve you well. If even one person thinks twice after reading your post, you will have made a difference.
Are you aware that soon a list will be published of four year colleges who are still looking for applicants? Many of them are really competitive, but have failed to meet their yield for whatever reason. I think it is published by NACAC, and there are definitely posts about it in CC. Check it out, because it is totally possible for,you to enroll this year.
An interesting admission…I thought I was on PostSecret or something!
My question to the OP is “Why did you feel you had to lie? And didn’t your parents review your application?”
I don’t think anyone needs to be told not to lie on a college app. That would be akin to feeling like people need to be told, “Don’t perjure yourself in court.” It goes without saying. So, going back to my question…what made you feel like you had to resort to deceit? I’m sure there would have been some college that would have admitted you based on your own merits, no?
If this is a real post (always wonder when it the first post and it is something controversial, I would suggest a Gap year. I would suggest applying to different schools since they have your old application on file or doing what is suggested above about the colleges that still have room in May. Even as a transfer they may compare your new application to your old one so I would pick other schools unless you have no choice (such as the only state school available to you). Good luck