Basically all said in the title - One of my friends has been bragging recently about how he’s going to falsify data about what extracurriculars he’s doing and what his test scores are. It’s nothing major, like winning national competitions, but he’s basically adding in a lot of volunteer work and club activities that he doesn’t do at all, and boosting AP scores. We’re not applying to the same colleges so I’m not trying to sabotage him to improve my own changes, I just genuinely think that he’s doing the wrong thing and he isn’t listening when people tell him it’s a bad idea.
What would the best way be to alert his colleges? E-mail, phone call, letter, etc. and will they not take it seriously if I do this anonymously? All of our friends know he’s doing this so he wouldn’t know who reported him unless I sign my name on it, which I’m willing to do if that’s the only way, but I would rather stay anonymous.
For AP scores, he will have to send an official report to the school that he ends up attending, so any discrepancies will be noted. In regards to EC’s, there is really nothing you can do about it. Adcoms are pretty savvy and can usually spot some application enhancements. I would not do anything. Yes, he should not be lying but what goes around comes around. He will get his dues in the end. Be concerned about yourself, that is what is important.
I don’t see why you would turn him in. If he wants to cheat, that’s his own personal choice; it’s not your problem since you aren’t applying to the same colleges.
if this really bothers you, confidentially speak w/your HS guid counselor and share what you’ve been told. And then let it go. Your friend is an idiot.
He’s entitled to his own decisions so why bother? Do not inform the colleges cos that would just be you not minding your business and trust me he won’t learn that way. So just let him be, you’ve done your part by advising him, now it’s left to him to accept and act on the advice or reject and wind up in the consequences of his obstinacy.
I like the suggestion of mentioning it to your guidance counselor. S/He can do something with that information, if s/he chooses, that will be more effective than what you can do.
Definitely take this to your guidance counselor, if he cheats and you know about it and choose not to say anything, then you are part of the problem. He WON’T learn until there are consequences and if you choose not to say anything you are insulting every single person at your school who applies to the same schools honestly. What if he was applying to the same school as you? Applicants are compared to the other students in their school and he would literally be impacting the decisions given to every other applicant at your school. Imagine working hard for four years and being involved in a few activities just to get rejected by a school because there was another applicant from your high school that seemed more involved because they lied. This is horrible and you have an obligation not to let it slide.
You can do it anonymously. Just print who and what on a plain white sheet of paper, address it to the admissions committee at the involved schools, and the guidance counselor, if you wish. Put a stamp on it and mail it. What they do with it then is up to them.
Please keep your allegations limited to the facts. You do not know that he is actually cheating on his application. All you know is that he says he is fabricating things. Make sure you identify him by full name, school and geographic location.
If you understand how anonymous e-mail works, you can do it that way, too.
This has all been really helpful! I know it doesn’t affect me in any way but there are people (other applicants) who this does negatively affect. I think I’m going to go and try and talk him out of it (maybe mention that he’ll have to send in score reports anyway!) , but if he doesn’t give it up I’ll contact my high school’s college counselor and see what she thinks of it. Also, @JustOneDad, thanks for that reminder, I wouldn’t want to get things carried away and then not be able to take back allegations if he does end up changing his mind!
