I’ve noticed that much too often there’s people with 4.0 GPA’s that cheat their way through all of their classes and all of their tests. I don’t find it fair because there’s people that are busting their balls trying to get straight A’s honestly. Also, having a higher GPA ruins my class rank bc they might be above me in class rank bc they cheated… but colleges won’t know that when accepting their students.
what are your views?
I think it may be more common in certain areas. None of our 4.0 students cheated when I was in school and none of the 4.0’s in my kids school cheat. It would be a mistake to assume that just because you think you have some high profile examples, it is that way everywhere.
Clearly you have an axe to grind with cheaters, but I have to ask, if you KNOW that people are cheating, why on earth don’t you just turn them in? Seriously, if you don’t like something, then do something about it.
On topic, as a teacher, I hate cheaters and when I catch someone cheating, it really upsets me
I have though about turning the select students I know that do cheat on everything, but how can I prove that they are cheating, because their word would be as good as mine.
If you can’t prove they are cheating, then how can you be so sure that they are?
I am not saying that all of the students with 4.0 GPA’s have cheated their way into it, on the contrary, I know most of them are honest and hard workers. I’m just referring to the select few that do cheat on not just one question in a quiz or test, but through a class in regards to tests, quizzes, and homework assignments. It’s just not fair to the students that have a slightly lower GPA (3.9) and are ranked below a person with a higher GPA who cheated their way into it.
I would need concrete evidence, but it’s because I’ve witnessed it. When grading tests, a lot of students ask to get their test back and wrote the correct answers on a separate sheet of paper and hand that in or change their grades on the original paper. Even during a test I can be done and just be looking around the room and see people on their phones with a test googling the questions.
I witness a lot of cheating at my school too–the person in front of me in math cheated on our final (and I’m pretty sure he’s been looking at my paper all year) and it pisses me off because our grades in that class are based off of class rank and he’s one ahead of me.
I’m glad you are not one of those posters that assume that all top students are cheaters, nor are you one of those students asking “if all my friends cheat, is it okay if I do it?” which have been viewpoints expressed by other college confidential users in the past.
I understand it is very frustrating when dealing with people that are cheaters. However, if you do the best you can do without stooping to their level, you are proving them wrong and maintain the moral high ground. In addition, many colleges are very concerned with cheating practices, especially with the ones that have honor codes. They go as far as asking about disciplinary issues on the common app, which could be a huge red flag if noticed. In addition, students who are habitual cheaters likely won’t get positive recommendations from those teachers when the time comes for asking teachers to write recommendations. There are so many downsides, aside from simply not learning the material, associated with cheating that simply make it not worth it. The ramifications can be huge, and edging out for an extra few points on quiz is honestly quite stupid
Cheating certainly isn’t right, but I would never turn someone in. Not only would they dislike you, but you’re sinking down to a lower level. Being a ‘tattle-tale’ is immature, and, although I’ve never cheated, it’s not really ‘great’ to turn someone in. They’ll get caught eventually, and they’re not gonna be good in the long run, so leave it alone. It also seems that when people want to turn in cheaters, then they’re willing to ruin someone’s life just for a better rank/position. Cheating isn’t morally right, but, hey, don’t bust your butt on trying to turn them in. Habits don’t change.
That’s just silly. The person who chooses to cheat is the one willing to ruin their own life, not the person who catches them and turns them in
@tacoperson123 Just wondering why it is important to have a cheating person like you . . .
. . . because if you are uncomfortable about speaking to the teacher about it, you could at least have a conversation with your classmate. You might say, “I know what you did. What you did is wrong. When it happens again you and I will have to talk to the teacher.” Might actually help break the habit.
What are our views on whether or not you should cheat or what are our views on whether or not other students should cheat? None of you should be doing it.
If you notice people who habitually cheat, you could mention it (privately) to your teacher so s/he can keep an eye out and handle it when s/he observes something inappropriate happening.
@tacoperson123 you better get rid of that mindset before you get to college. Many honor codes include a section called “tolerance” which explains that if you know about an incident that violates the honor code (ie cheating) and do not report it, you are guilty of tolerance and can be tried on an honor code violation. My university also has a two strikes policy (which is not unique- many colleges have similar policies). Your first violation of the honor code (any violation) carries its ramifications (suspension, failing the assignment, expulsion,etc) plus being on honor probation, which lasts until you graduate. If you are found guilty of another violation (any violation), you are automatically expelled. So quite literally, failing to report cheating can get you expelled.
Reporting cheating is not being a “tattle-tale”, it is doing what is best for the institution and all involved. Quite frankly, calling someone a “tattle-tale” for turning in an individual that cheated is immature. It is also not stooping to a lower level, it is the right thing to do. There are also ways to report cheating anonymously, so having the person dislike you is not an issue.
I agree if you don’t have any proof and just suspicions, however, you can’t really report individuals, but you could let the teacher know without naming names that you suspect cheating is going on and perhaps the teacher will be more vigilant. If you witnessed the cheating irrefutably, as with the case of them changing their test answers or using their phone during an assessment, that is grounds enough to release names. Perhaps the teacher can’t do anything right away, but they can be especially vigilant with those individuals and catch them in the act.
Sorry but bottom line is they are cheating themselves ultimately. Even IF these 4.0 cheaters somehow did it in every class and ended up higher ranked than you, how do you think they would do on an ACT or SAT? Not too well I imagine. Thus the higher class ranking with lower ACT/SAT scores would drop them behind you in the eyes of the colleges.
Or maybe they believe cheating is wrong and they are going out of their way to help clean up society to everyone’s benefit.
Is there some reason the teachers or proctors can’t see this occurring?
Why are phones even allowed out of the locker during class?
@JustOneDad
-
They aren’t paying attention.
-
They get pay bonuses for higher scores.
-
They don’t care.
Also, I have yet to see a student punished for cheating. It tarnishes the teacher, administration, and school reputation.
@hungryteenager Just wondering if you or your friends ever confront a fellow classmate who has cheated? It seems to me that most students really do care what their peers think of them, and a critical word from a classmate might carry more weight than anything a teacher might say.