Report someone who cheated on her application & portfolio to get into UCLA..(?)

Applying to College
1

<p>Hi everyone, any advices are appreciated, thank you.</p>

<p>(Oh, please forgive my grammatical mistakes, I am an English as second language speaker, and obviously not one of the good ones...)</p>

<p>So, I have known this girl since high school. We are both international students, and she has always been really nice to me, as long as she is the boss of everything. </p>

<p>Throughout her high school year, she didn't really show much of her art talent until senior year.</p>

<p>During high school senior year, all in a sudden, she decided to major in media arts, and she showed me her art portfolio, which was full with amazing artworks made in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. </p>

<p>I had been a close friend to her for years, and I never know she can make great art like that (I didn't even know she likes art, since she used to ask me help drawing her art homework.) But I didn't think too much back then, I just thought she really improved a lot in such a short time. </p>

<p>Okay, the story is getting too long, let me jump straight to the point, and thank you if you are still reading this patiently :) .</p>

<p>With that art portfolio, she got a 6 on AP Art (yes, you can get a 6 if your artworks are super amazing), won several local contests, and graduated high school with honors.</p>

<p>With that art portfolio, she also got into RISD, Parsons (with scholarships), and UCLA (DRESMA).</p>

<p>She ended up going to UCLA as a Media Arts major, and she is now in her junior year already. Her ego and self-esteem have grown insanely high for the past three years. She looks down at me all the time, and reminds me how awesome and amazing she is daily (I lived with her because her parents own the apartment, and they offered me a really great discount). However, besides all these, she is really nice to me in all other areas. </p>

<p>Recently, I accidentally found out through the internet that all the artworks she put in her art portfolio were stolen from several different artists. I even contacted some of the artists to make sure that I am not wronging her. I have clear evidences to prove that all her artworks that she used in application aren't created by herself. Also, I knew her parents paid an agency to do all her application works, including the personal statements. So basically, she doesn't deserve any rights to study in UCLA and being so proud of herself. </p>

<p>I got so angry, not just because how she doesn't really have a right to look down at me, but more of how dishonest she is (I personally really hate and have issue with dishonest people), and how she has insulted ART in all possible ways (too many examples in daily life, not going to talk about it here). I think the last reason is what make me angry the most. Since, majoring in art-related majors used to be my dream, but I respect art so much to the point that I think it would be an insult to art if even I can major in it (LOL). </p>

<p>I know plagiarisms and cheating on applications aren't uncommon, tons of people do it every year...I keep telling myself this is none of my business, and I should just get over with the past...but really, how can I get over the past when she is trying to remind me her awesome history every day? </p>

<p>Even if I send a detail report of how she faked her art portfolio, will UCLA do anything to her, since it is already her 3rd year studying in the school (probably not...)? </p>

<p>If you were me, would you report to UCLA? (And please, don't just give me a lecture of go get a life instead of trying to get someone expelling from school, thank you.)</p>

<p>Thank you for readying, now, I can finally go to bed, it feels good after typing it all out.</p>

2

<p>Do you believe in Karma?
If yes, then don’t do anything. If no, then start believing.</p>

3

<p>Life is not fair i guess, and she’s already graduating soon so… I think there’s very little you can do but deffo give it a try, she doesnt deserve it.</p>

4

<p>Meet friends and hang out with them. Essentially ignore this person whenever possible. Go to the library, mall, anywhere!</p>

5

<p>Actually, if you provide ample evidence, UCLA would DEFINITELY drop her from their school and discard her of all her credits. </p>

<p>I’ve heard of people getting their diplomas rescinded years after graduating from college because the college found out they had tampered with their high school transcript.</p>

<p>She doesn’t have any right to be going there right now and if I were you I would send an ANONYMOUS tip with all of your evidence to the UCLA Office.</p>

6

<p>She 'insulted ART", oh please. You sound mad because she treats you poorly not because of some higher moral purpose. You sound like someone who wants revenge and nothing more. </p>

<ol>
<li>Do you have indisputable proof?</li>
<li>Do you have proof that this plagiarized art was the only art she submitted in her portfolio?</li>
<li>She’s been at UCLA for three years, is she doing well in the program? If so then it appears she was qualified.</li>
</ol>

<p>If the answer to questions 1 & 2 are yes then you have the right to submit your concerns. However, many organizations give little credence to anonymous accusations. The natural reaction is that they are from jealous and bitter individuals especially if the person in question is indeed performing at a high level. Second, if you are accusing her of something from high school there are likely very few people who would know about the situation, so be prepared to defend yourself if you get confronted.</p>

<p>The moral high ground is a very slippery spot.</p>

7

<p>I really hate cheaters and agree with your feelings of anguish over this.</p>

<p>If we were talking about a private college, then I would say just let it slide, but since it is a public university, then I would support your decision to do something about it. Especially because I am a CA resident. With something like 90,000 applicants competing for admission every year, UCLA owes it to Californians to maintain the highest standards of integrity and fairness when admitting students, so cheating in admissions should be not be tolerated, regardless of when it is discovered.</p>

<p>The worst that can happen is that UCLA ignores you and your evidence, but you got it off your chest and did the right thing.</p>

8

<p>Hi vinceh,</p>

<p>Thank you for pointing that out. In fact, that is one of my major concern. I don’t want to make this action simply as a “revenge”, because that will lead me to the whole karma thing…which I believe in (lol). I didn’t describe it in detail, but I actually found out this whole thing last summer (and I didn’t find it out alone but with few other friends from high school together), and the only reason I haven’t reveal it is because I want to make sure my true intention is for the “justice” purpose instead of simply a “revenge”. </p>

<p>About your second question, a lot of works she puts on facebook recently are obvious direct copies from other artists, which anyone can prove by using google’s “searching image by image” engine. She is doing terribly (GPA lower 3.0), but she told me proudly that she doesn’t care as well as she can graduate, since her parents own one of the biggest design companies in the country we came from. As long as she doesn’t get a gpa lower than 2.0, she will for sure become one of the leading designers in Asia few years later. This might sound funny, but I actually know many professional people in the industries, and you might know how most part of Asia still don’t treat the whole plagiarism and copyright issues seriously; which means, it is most likely things are going to work out as she said even if she plagiarize throughout her entire career because of her education and family background. </p>

<p>Finally, I just want to claim again that I believe a part of me simply want a revenge, but I am really not making excuse for the “insulted art” part. Anybody who loves art, or are working in the art industries know how it feels like to see a person like this success in the world, it is super insane (ex. MisterBrainWash). But, I don’t think I will do anything unless I’m sure with my own intension isn’t just for revenge.</p>

<p>Thank you :)</p>

9

<p>Thank you for reminding the whole karma thing, and yes, I do believe in it lol</p>

<p>I guess, I care so much because I live with her. Maybe after I move out next semester, I can take it easy and care no more :)</p>

10

<p>Thanks for the advices, and just a quick additional note:</p>

<p>She scored 1310 (out of 2400) on SAT, 80 something om TOEFL (the minimum score requirement for all the schools she applied to is 100), and her high school GPA was only between 3.4-3.6. Basically, when she got in, the whole class was shocked, confused, and angry somehow (we went to a really small school, so everybody knows each other well…)</p>

11

<p>What… a 1310 out of 2400 and she plagiarized her art. That’s really sad. There are people who have better scores and submit their hard work in portfolios and they get denied. She should be reported to UCLA; she has been lying and faking for years. </p>

<p>Sent from my SGH-I897 using CC</p>

12

<p>I would think that the original artists would be very angry to find their artwork stolen and used as someone else’s work. If enough of the original artists come forward, I would rhink this person would be in big trouble. I guess you have to decide if it is worth to you to report the cheating, regardless of the outcome. This would really bother me, even if this person was my best friend. I would think copies of the artworks and proof of the ownership of the original artwork could easily be verified by UCLA and it is possible she has been having someone do her work all through college. It sounds like her parents have the money and the influence. Maybe, they’ve even hinted at funding a new art gallery to UCLA…</p>

13

<p>i have a close relative who is an instructor at a renowned art & design college. What you describe would be a serious matter that the school would want to know about fully. I say let the truth come out.</p>

14

<p>I would report it. It’s plagiarism. If she had copied essays, stolen story stories, this would be a nO brainier, but with art, somehow people don’t take it as seriously.</p>

<p>Sure, and karma also bites you if you do nothing,</p>

15

<p>“obvious copies on facebook that anyone can find by google image search”,“parents own a leading design company”, “so if she keeps her GPA over 2.0 she will for sure be one of Asia’s leading designers”, “1310 SAT”. </p>

<p>Something about this thread has me very skeptical.</p>

16

<p>Hey vinceh,
Although I understand where your skepticism comes from, I don’t want to try convincing you whether I’m exaggerating or lying in this thread. Yes, I know what I said sounds ridiculous and unrealistic, but all I’m doing is telling the truth. You will be amazed of how people aren’t sensitive with plagiarism in art, so she can put all these stuff on fb without feeling ashamed. And out of all the three SAT she took, she really had 1310 as her highest score, that is how ridiculous the thing is. And yes, the design company is just one of the small thing her parents do for fun, and tho her family might not be the richest families from my country, they are wealthy enough that my friend never see the economy class of the plane. Okay, enough, typing on a phone while having a bus ride is really making dizzy. Thanks for the comments anyways.</p>

17

<p>Did you confront her yet?</p>

18

<p>First, I never diminished art plagiarism. I am questioning your motivation. You spend more time complaining about the wealth of her family and what section of an airplane they fly in than any argument about the purity of art.</p>

<p>Second, I would have guessed that the UCLA Media Arts department is more familiar with art plagiarism than most groups. Maybe they got lazy, maybe they are naive and can’t connect the facts that your friend’s portfolio was spectacular yet her current work is sub-standard. Who knows?</p>

<p>If you want to accuse ‘your friend’, go ahead. But make it about the plagiarism not about how wealthy she is or how she doesn’t deserve to be one of “the great Asian designers of the future”. Just know that every challenge I’ve raised, as well as a few I haven’t, will be brought up by any reviewer. If they pursue it they will most certainly talk to ‘your friend’ because as we all know, there are two sides to every story. Finally, most companies ignore anonymous accusations because they too often based on personal vendettas. So don’t be too surprised if your accusations go nowhere.</p>

19

<p>No, you are obviously wanting to do it out of jealousy alone.</p>

20

<p>Just to clarify, I didn’t really mention anything about the wealth of her family in my original post. I mentioned the wealth part when I was trying to answer your questions. However, I do apologize that it seems to be my misunderstanding of what you were trying to say, and so I kinda shifted the focus in my responses. </p>

<p>You quoted several sentences from me, and said you felt skeptical about this thread, so I thought you were questioning the liability of the information I have given, that’s why I put even more words into proving how wealthy she is in my latest respond. I did make myself looks like a person who’s motivation is not really about art but jealousy or whatever else, and sorry about that misleading information. </p>

<p>It is hard for me to agree with everything you said, though I don’t want to admit, you really have some good points, and thank you for bringing in more perspectives for this issue. It’s true that there are two sides to every story, and my point of view can be completely bias and wrong for sure. Also, I won’t be too surprised if the accusations go nowhere, since we all know how busy the admission office is, especially it’s UCLA. Overall, thanks again, and sorry if my poop English is giving you a hard time :|</p>