<p>Did you donate the profits from your violin recital to support a homeless shelter? Were you part of a deer rescue squad during a major forest fire? Was that you who donated gallons of blood to the Red Cross?</p>
<p>Well, if you said so on your UC application, you better be ready to prove it.</p>
<p>Like no other higher education system in the nation, the University of California has a quiet team of vigilant auditors that review the accuracy of randomly selected applications and may yank ones shined up by too much balderdash, big-talk or bull.</p>
<p>“We expect integrity,” said Han Mi Yoon-Wu, admissions coordinator for the 10-campus university system. Although falsification is not a major problem, she said, “students need to know that they might be selected, and they should make sure that everything on the application is accurate.”</p>
<p>While all American universities seek official verification of grades and test scores, most others rely on the honor system for more personal assertions.</p>
<p>“The system in California is quite unique,” said David Hawkins of the National Association for College Admission Counseling. “Colleges have always kept an eye out for suspicious-looking essays that might have been plagiarized, but few bother to actually check.” </p>
<p>This month UC sent letters to 1,000 applicants for the 2010 freshman class asking them for evidence to support claims made in their “personal statements” and lists of accomplishments. The application cops do not target suspects; rather they employ a vast, random but high-stakes process designed to keep students honest. Their biggest weapon: the fear factor they may pick yours.</p>
<p>For those who are caught, there’s always next year and a possible second chance. But the indiscretion is noted in permanent records, said Yoon-Wu. “We keep a record.” </p>
<p>subject to verification</p>
<p>Honor or award
Academic record
Outside course work
Athletics
Music, theater or art
Voluntary or paid employment, internship or community service
School, community or church-sponsored club, trip or project or university-sponsored outreach program</p>
<p>By Lisa M. Krieger</p>
<p><a href="mailto:lkrieger@mercurynews.com">lkrieger@mercurynews.com</a></p>
<p>[UC</a> sleuths seek proof for glorious claims on admission applications - Inside Bay Area](<a href=“http://www.insidebayarea.com/sanmateocountytimes/localnews/ci_14310072?source=rss]UC”>http://www.insidebayarea.com/sanmateocountytimes/localnews/ci_14310072?source=rss)</p>