VERY hypothetical--yet interesting--question.

<p>Okay, so if you COMPLETELY bs your EC's on your application, how would an admissions board even know? what exactly lends credibility to the EC's an applicant affords? Is there an obvious answer to this that I am completely overlooking.</p>

<p>I think most colleges trust that you are telling the truth. However, I heard that some colleges routinely check up on kids by choosing them randomly. Most people exaggerate, but outright lying can get you into huge trouble if they find out.</p>

<p>hmm... I think you should try it at your top choice and let us know what happens...
you could even (truthfully) state you're in the middle of a research project on a topic of great importance to thousands of students every year...</p>

<p>Why don't I think that you mean this entirely hypothetically, transferkid21? But yeah, maybe I should give you the benefit of doubt.</p>

<p>If one lies about really major state or international tournaments and championships, and even a glimmer of it comes across as unbelievable, then it would be pretty easy to check up online. I hear they often check up with GCs and schools...it's very easy to call if you know the city code :P</p>

<p>Like clockwork, each week, someone asks this question "hypothetically" or for a "friend."</p>

<p>I think they should find out the answer themselves by putting fabulous, but imaginary, ECs on their apps.</p>

<p>teachers and counselors often write about EC's in their recommendations. if the recs are completely different from what a person puts on his or her app, that could be a problem</p>

<p>you're most likely innocent on this count...just caught in the crossfire...blame the system.</p>

<p>"teachers and counselors often write about EC's in their recommendations. if the recs are completely different from what a person puts on his or her app, that could be a problem"</p>

<p>Bingo. If your recs aren't mentioning these ECs, the colleges will want to check up.</p>

<p>I always though a recommendation that talked about your EC's was a bad one since they already have those anyway.. (sorry for the derail)</p>

<p>And I'm sure people lie all the time, and I'm sure some of them don't get caught and some do. Why risk it and also why bring yourself down to that level?</p>

<p>Most guidance counselors (at large schools at least) are unfamiliar with the applicant they are writing a letter of recommendation on behalf of. Therefore, they will ask the student to send them a resume with EC's so they have something to write about. Most colleges realize this however</p>