<p>First of all, I'd like to emphasize that I'm not the one that's planning on lying on my college app. Unlike some people, I actually have a moral conscience :/</p>
<p>I recently found out that a girl in my grade was planning to write a load of ECs on her app that weren't true, like EIC of the newspaper (which I actually am), EIC of yearbook (which I also am), and a whole bunch of other stuff that doesn't directly pertain to me, like being captain of sports teams. The stupid thing is that she told her friends about this, which is how it got through to me (multiple times, too. It seems like at least twenty other people know by now). </p>
<p>I guess I'm just really offended that she's trying to pass off some of my accomplishments as her own, since I really did work hard for them :( However, I obviously can't rat her out or anything, so I guess I'm just hanging onto the hope that somehow, the college will find out.... although I'm thinking that the chance is probably slim to none? I'm thinking about talking to her, but I don't want to stir up any drama...</p>
<p>What do you guys think? Is there any chance she'll be found out? Sorry this is such a weird topic haha it's probably not even that big of a deal, but this has been keeping me up all weekend.</p>
<p>It is not a weird topic. Your concern really should be if the two of you apply to any of the same schools. It could disqualify both of you. If the same positions are recognized, colleges are not going to waste time trying to figure out who is telling the truth.</p>
<p>Crap, well that changes things… I’m pretty sure we’re going to be applying to a lot of the same schools. Any idea what I should be doing about this issue at this point</p>
<p>@awcntdb and @authornim Usually most colleges do not disqualify both, I have never heard of that. This has happened in the past at my school and the colleges have called my school to find out who is telling the truth. On a side note to this, this is why it is also important not to admit co- or vice from your titles.</p>
<p>Thanks for the feedback, everyone! @romeonachos thanks, that’s a good idea. If worst comes to worst, I’ll definitely try to think of a way to approach my counselor about this.
@guineagirl96 Thanks for your comment. What do you mean by not admitting co- or vice from your titles? For example, should one just write “president” rather than “VP?” Sorry if I’m totally misunderstanding this haha</p>
<p>@guineagirl96 - The reason I used the word “could” is some schools will call, but I bet a good portion would not. In your example, the school called. I would not depend on all schools doing the same due diligence with such red flags. A busy admin could easily disregard both apps, i.e., the easy way out. Better safe than sorry, I would think. </p>
<p>Tell your counselor, or ask your counselor to emphasize your ECs in her rec for you. Usually GCs ask the students to fil out a sheet of accomplishments and things that should be mentioned, so that when the school rec is written, those things are right there. So you can make sure your ECs are vouched for by the school when you do this.</p>
<p>You can’t control what anyone puts in college apps. My son found out upon touring a school that one of his team members posed as the captain of a team–when my son was the capt… He thought it was hilarious, how short the legs on that lie were.</p>
<p>For the most part, it doesn’t make that much difference anyways, to be honest. The things that carry the most weight are verifiable in that they are on easily checked lists. If it counts heavily, they will be checked. Otherwise it’s not a big deal. So it’s a stupid risk to take since it counts for little, unless caught lying when it can end the deal.</p>
<p>If there isn’t anything fishy, then no “checking” takes place (unless of course it’s intel or siemens or another prestigious science competition…). If you let your GC know, someone can have a talk with a student to scare him/her out of lying. That way, they don’t risk being rejected for their dishonesty and have a chance to fix their mistakes.</p>
<p>@authornim No, I meant that if you are co-president and you list that you are president, but the other person also lists that they are president, you could be perceived as lying. If you put you are president, but are actually vice president and the president lists that on their app, then two people are saying they are president and you are lying. It doesn’t matter if it was just an error of accidentally leaving out a word, it’s still lying. </p>
<p>I think guineagirl misspoke and meant don’t OMIT co-president.</p>
<p>It will look strange for this girl if she puts major leadership like EIC and Captain and there is no mention in the guidance counselor or teacher recommendation of these positions. EIC is an important position and I would not want a situation where someone else from my school applying to the same selective college had listed that. Obviously someone is lying. I would probably share my concerns with my GC that my EC would be noted in the rec and tell him you heard through the grapevine that someone else was planning to list that EC. If he asks for the name, give it up. You are actually doing her a favor because if it is caught out, she won’t be admitted with lies like that on her application.</p>
<p>@guineagirl96 think you meant to say “not to OMIT co- or vice- from your titles.” You put “not to admit…”</p>
<p>@authornim : Be aware that like any rumor, this may turn out to be untrue. Still, I agree with others that you should approach your counselor, and I would say sooner rather than later.</p>
<p>My son’s high school subscribes to Blackboard and PowerSchool to show online grades etc. I was recently amazed that one of them (I think Blackboard) showed every club and team my son is on and his leadership positions. I would guess that the guidance counselor conveys that info on the transcript. If your school has a similar program your acquaintance will be found out. She’ll likely never know she was rejected due to lying on her application. I bet colleges see this a lot. I would not bother telling the GC. Let the girl fail to be admitted. Why give her the opportunity to correct her application?</p>
<p>Like @BrownParent said:Talk to your counselor about how you “heard some rumors,” and that even though you’re “not sure they’re true,” you’re concerned about being erroneously labeled as a liar by admin officers. </p>
<p>I’d have a chat with the guidance counselor and ask if s/he adds a list of school related ECs to whatever forms the school sends to colleges. Letting your GC have an opportunity to help this girl doesn’t hurt you, not letting him/her might.</p>
<p>Was just going to point out the typo/autocorrect (admit/omit) but glad to see others caught it. </p>
<p>Above is all good advice : talk to our college counselor if there is merit to this story, as an applicant’s dishonesty can potentially but a black mark on your high school for future applicants… And to reiterate, especially at smaller schools who read applications to craft classes, if they see two applicants claiming the same position, they absolutely will call your HS to find out who is the genuine one. In some cases, as some college admissions offices talk to each other, there is a chance they could let other schools know. They have been known to do this when an applicant declines an ED acceptance, for example. Academic dishonesty is not ok.</p>
<p>Wondering how you know that this girl is planning to do this? Have you asked her directly? Or is it just something your heard from a friend of a friend? </p>
<p>Are you and she applying to many of the same colleges? Are you applying primarily to large universities? Colleges will verify, sometimes, especially if none of the other girl’s recommendations allude to her leadership positions. She risks having her applications discarded, and even potential acceptances rescinded, for falsifying her application. This could occur even if the ECs were not a factor in her acceptance. If you are only applying to large, public universities, who do not accept letters of recommendation, then there is little you can do without “ratting” on the other girl (something I would strongly advise against, by the way, in case it turns out that she didn’t lie on her actual application). You could speak with the adviser and teacher(s) when you request recommendations, asking them to make some mention of your leadership roles. You might just tell them that you hope that this will help boost your profile as someone who has a lot to contribute to a college community. Your classmate is risking more than she stands to gain. </p>