<p>I applied as a transfer student to one of the largest private schools. I submitted my application with a fake recommendation from a professor. I made a gmail account with his name, but I feel like that doesn't matter because they might not see that, and if they do, I know that many of my professors have sent emails from gmail accounts. After I submitted the application, they extended the deadline, but my admissions counselor said if I want to submit an additional recommendation, I could have my recommender email it directly.</p>
<p>I made a fake letterhead, fake gmail account, and completely fake person who works at a real volunteer organization, with a fake number, and wrote the recommendation.I sent the email with a signature and it was pretty business like, but I'm pretty worried about it being sent from a gmail account. </p>
<p>I know people are going to say "you're dead" or "that's so obvious" etc just to try to scare me but can anyone tell me what they think, particularly because they get so many applications I don't understand why they would check. I've come to the resolution they'll ban me from that school and my previous school worst case scenario.</p>
<p>That’s…terrible. I’m at a loss for words. Why didn’t you just go through the channels and get a real recommendation from a professor who knew you or from anyone who has worked with you?</p>
<p>This is actually much more common than people think…I’m just speaking openly about it on the internet. I would argue there are a lot of wrong things within college systems as well so I’m not messing with some amazing people. I sent in real transcripts and everything. My worst case scenario would not affect the college I am currently attending because I was at a different school last semester and used a professor I’m never interacting with again</p>
<p>First of all, was your homemade-recommendation magnificent? Was it perfect? Flawless? Genuine? Something that will leave an indelible impression on the admissions officer?
Perhaps.</p>
<p>But is it something of which you can be proud? Not really.</p>
<p>In truth, it might go undiscovered. You might get admitted to that college. But, it will undoubtedly pain you for the rest of your life. I’ll play the Devil’s advocate here and say that with that one essay, you essentially replaced a truthful applicant’s essay and “stole” their spot, by a slight margin of sympathy or impression made upon the admissions officer.</p>
<p>But the greater pain is that the faked rec. gets discovered. Most likely case is something bad- you’d probably be in trouble with their admissions office, and the likely case is that your application will be thrown out directly- colleges don’t really tolerate the “lying” act.</p>
<p>Lets imagine no one finds out and you get in. You will always be scared for as long as you’re a student to think about your university, whenever you set foot on campus, whenever you get an email from your university, whenever you get a letter in your mailbox from your university. You will always have the fear of getting caught, day in day out. And it is never worth it. </p>
<p>LOL I really admire your guts. And honestly, if this is for a top university/program, I’m sure lots of other applicants did the same thing you did. I applied to some big name schools this year and out of four recommendations, two of my references told me to write my own letters and that they would sign off on them, and the other two e-mailed their letters directly to the schools from their hotmail and aol accounts (the directors confirmed that they got the references and everything). I applied to grad school programs, but still. And of course, integrity is always important, but when it comes to this stuff, it’s almost like the “Hunger Games” in a way. So I really don’t judge you for what you did. Just don’t be dumb and brag to everyone and their mothers if you actually do get away with this (which you probably will). </p>
<p>Can I just say that I came VERY close to doing the same thing, considering my professors sent mine way past the deadline. I didn’t. I applaud you, not that what you did was good -smart. For all you know there’s a whole lot of students who did the same.
Live. Don’t feel guilty for the rest of your life. </p>
<p>I would worry more as to when the Statute of Limitations run on the federal crime of Wire Fraud. If your applying to an engineering program, I would sure never want to drive over a bridge you designed. </p>
<p>I think it’s hilarious. No one should judge you on this one. You wanted it bad enough so you did what you felt was right for you at the moment. Selfish? Yes! But aren’t we all in some ways? What you did is no worse than a college admin or a boss at a big corporation bringing in their own family members instead of letting them go through the proper processing channel and be recruited like everyone else.
If you got a genius idea on how to get into medical school, let the rest of us know! (just joking)
But on the serious note, what you did was wrong, and I don’t condone it. If I knew someone was doing this, I would not judge them but I would report them. Seriously!</p>
<p>“But the greater pain is that the faked rec. gets discovered”</p>
<p>I don’t think so. The greater pain is that you get away with it, and you earn a spot illegitimately. Then, you live with the fact that your college credentials and everything you gain with that are also based on fraud- your resume, getting a job and so on.</p>
<p>It’s not OK as long as you don’t get caught. It’s just not OK. However, you can do something to stop this immediately. You can contact the college and simply request they withdraw your application. This will make that letter null and void. </p>
<p>Chances are, you have no idea what makes a good rec or what the common bullets are that they hit. Chances are, even if you copied some other letter you had access to, you still don’t know what makes a “good” rec- much less a great one- versus lame. All this is troublesome about your judgment. And character. </p>
<p>Oh wow, the consequences if this were to be discovered are truly ugly:</p>
<p>Losing your admission.</p>
<p>Being kicked out of that university (if admitted).</p>
<p>Having your degree rescinded at some time in the future (if you do complete the degree and graduate).</p>
<p>Getting a permanent note on your academic transcript if you are kicked out or if your degree is rescinded so that no accredited college or university in the country will ever be willing to admit you.</p>
<p>Basically, your best option is to drop a line to the university in question, and withdraw your application. Truly. That is what you should do now.</p>
<p>You could be actually expelled for Academic Dishonesty if that recommendation was a part of the reason you get accepted and it would be marked on your transcripts for future colleges or grad schools.</p>
<p>But that’s only if they ever figured it out.</p>
<p>If they don’t then you’re fine, just hope they don’t look it up.</p>
<p>Yeah people to write fake recommendations but they don’t admit to it online on a major college forum, and each person who does write one is playing Russian roulette with their future academic and career-wise.</p>
(just joking)