<p>Hey folks, I have an ethical dilemma for you all. Earlier Friday morning, I was called up to my guidance counselor's office rather randomly. When I got there, he basically told me that the Guidance Office goofed. Two kids at my school share my last name with me, despite our not being related. Anyways, the transcript that was submitted in my name (and the one that got me admitted to my top choice college) is VASTLY superior to my own. I was in the fourth decile in the class, he is in the top ten. The GC explained to me that due to the layout of the transcript, the adcoms will never know the difference, and since it was a goof on their part, they won't say a word if I don't. </p>
<p>I had been wondering why an ivy league school (which one in particular I won't say for obvious reasons, don't want people turning me in with an IP address - if I decide to tell the college it will be my choice) would admit someone with poor academics (I have a B- average, I failed two classes and received a D during my sophomore year). The reason I don't think I'm going to say anything is that the person whose transcript was sent in my name was also admitted to his top choice college, so it didn't hurt him in any way, shape, or form. He isn't even aware. There was no victim. I feel slightly bad taking credit for his work, but life handed me lemons and I'm going to make lemonade...</p>
<p>IF I decided to rectify this situation, they would most likely revoke my admissions. I know I could live with myself and look at myself in the mirror if I don't say anything - this is one of the few times life has thrown me a bone. I am 100% positive they will never catch the error, and I'm certainly not going to say anything in person. But IF I decided to rectify it, how would I go about doing so? Would I send in a letter to the adcoms and explain the situation?</p>
<p>Edit: Poster below had a good point. I KNOW I am capable of Ivy work, I am very intelligent(and have been told I am by numerous people, I am a member of MENSA, etc.), I just lack motivation of any sort. I'd work my a** off when I get to college.</p>
<p>i dont think u should accept the admission. its morally wrong and u know it. i dont see it as life handing u a bone, its life testing u to see how u react. if u accept admissions, it may seem ok at first to u, but u would probably, in the long run, lose self-esteem since u werent accepted to the college for what u were, u were accepted becuase of what somebody else was. mabye youll get a great job after college, but that fact will always reamin with u. plus, with your grades, it seems that an ivy leauge school would be too much for u, and youll regret wasting your time there. if the school decides that youre ready for their school, then u should go. That is why u should send a letter to the college, explaining everything, and asking them if they want your real transcript. dont say that its worse, just say hat there was a mistake and would they like the real transcript.</p>
<p>Even if you do admit it I think it says a lot about your own personal integrity. They might turn a blind eye even if you tell them. On the other hand, life has given you an opportunity - why spoil it if you don't have to? I don't really think whatever choice you make really does anything in the long run. In my opinion it's a matter of perspective.</p>
<p>Wow, that's tough one. (I'm somewhat surprised your GC acted like that.. What happens though when it comes time for you to submit the final transcript-- would your GC send off the other kid's again?)</p>
<p>It's one thing to start going to that college and not know that that had occured, but then another to go and be conscious of that... you <em>know</em> it's wrong, but the question is, as you worded it, is, "Could you live with yourself?"</p>
<p>(I'm definitely thinking about what I'd do in your situation.. it's self interest v. "the right thing to do." Ugh.)</p>
<p>He said he'd send in the other kid's transcript just for continuity. The reason he doesn't want to say anything is that the college will look down on my school (a massive competitive public) for having a disorganized guidance office, and thus hurt the chances of later ivy applicants, as they won't be sure if the transcript they're getting is the one they should be.</p>
<p>if you failed two classes and got a D in one class, how could you expect that an ivy league school would accept you? did you get a really high score on SAT's? </p>
<p>this is pretty ridiculous. some people will do anything to go to an ivy league school...</p>
<p>"The reason he doesn't want to say anything is that the college will look down on my school (a massive competitive public) for having a disorganized guidance office, and thus hurt the chances of later ivy applicants, as they won't be sure if the transcript they're getting is the one they should be."</p>
<p>How selfish guidance counselors can be. </p>
<p>So what was that person's top-choice college?</p>
<p>So you want the evil prevail? Your GC is not doing this for the good of you. She/he is doing it simply for himself, his own reputation. It was his fault that he messed up. </p>
<p>It's a challenge. Hey, if you do confess, be sure to do in the form of a killer, emotionally moving essay: )</p>
<p>Ptmagnolia, I didn't "do" anything. It happened completely without my input or knowledge. I really resent the fact you're passing judgement on me without even knowing the whole situation.</p>
<p>My SAT scores were nearly perfect in all realms, and my ECs dominate. I come from a dirt poor white trash family with huge medical expenses and crushing debt (which explains my poor grades during that year... I had to work 30+ hours a week as well as take care of my deathly ill sister because my parents were also working every waking hour to pay for her medicines and food). Like I said, life doesn't throw me (or my family) a bone often...</p>
<p>So honestly, I didn't think too much about it.</p>
<p>The guy's top choice college was Princeton. He was admitted EA, and I was admitted EA to the college I spoke of earlier as well. I applied Ivy because of the GENEROUS financial aid they give, a fact that local state schools can not and do not do. I'd like to keep a minimal (or nonexistant) debt burden so I can continue to help my family while I pursue my education.</p>
<p>ptmagnolia, he hasn't done anything, the counselor messed up and hey even if you are not such a great student you might still have other qualities that could make you get accepted by an ivy league :D</p>
<p>I'm sorry I'm just not buying this story. What GC in his or her right mind would agree to commit fraud -- and that is what it would be if he/she knowingly send the wrong final transcript. </p>
<p>I think this is a troll and I'm not biting.</p>
<p>sigh.. at first glance at this post it made me wonder about my own acceptance.. (afterwards I rmember that I checked all my transcripts). anyways.. I kinda put myself in your shoes and wondered what I'd do. being as insecure and doubtful of a girl I am, I probably would tell the school since I wouldnt be able to go on knowing that a mistake was what got me into the school.</p>
<p>whatever decision you end up making, make sure it'll be the one that you can live with. this has little to do with how well you'll do at that school next year, but can you stand going to that school wondering if you acceptance was based on this one mistake?</p>
<p>PS. also consider that if the school ever find out, they can expell you/ take away your diploma because of the false information submited.</p>
<p>you did do something... you're withholding knowledge of being accepted to a university through someone else's transcripts. i apologize for sounding crass and i didn't mean to pass judgement. however, you're listing all these factors to justify the situation, and it's hard to believe that this isn't troubling you. being lucky and having a "bone thrown at you" is one thing but capitalizing on the [big] mistakes of your high school is another. what about the other colleges you applied to? did you get any financial aid offers from them? must the school you attend be ivy?</p>
<p>anyways, i have a feeling that if you do tell the school the circumstances, they might let you in anyway. i don't know. i'd like to think i earned my way into a school.</p>