<p>What i mean by the post above is: if a student makes small embellishments that don't add much, how will that be discovered?</p>
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What i mean by the post above is: if a student makes small embellishments that don't add much, how will that be discovered?
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If you're really asking will every lie be uncovered no matter how trivial, the answer is undoubtedly no. On the other hand even "small" lies can be discovered, to the dismay of the applicant. Schools talk to teachers, they talk to counselors, they even talk to other students. Its not that they're necessarily checking every fact, but in the course of ordinary conversation you'd be surprised how much comes out.</p>
<p>For example lets suppose you were on your HS baseball team but didn't letter. You decide that hey, you put in the time, you'll just say you lettered. But if your teamate Joe is interviewing with the same school as you and to build rapport the interviewer says "I see you play baseball. You must know Exaggerator who lettered with you last year" you're up a creek.</p>
<p>And to be honest, the way a lot of this comes out is that 18-year-old kids can't keep their mouths shut. They show their essays and apps to friends, they even brag about what they did. Word gets around ...</p>
<p>I know that my D's hs counselor talked to several of the schools about my D's application during the process, for various reasons..at one, test scores weren't received, at another, a rec wasn't received. Counselor initiated one call about merit aid regarding D. During these conversations, anything might come up. I'm sure my counselor put in a plug for D at appropriate opportunities, and I'm sure questions were asked. HS counselors know many of these college admissions officers quite well! They've visited their schools, and even socialized with them.
Even the UC's do some random follow up regarding EC validation.</p>
<p>This thread is pathetic. If you have to lie on your apps to get yourself into college then don't bother applying. You're not doing anyone any good.</p>
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How can an applicant, who makes minor stretches, be at a huge risk?
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If they make minor stretches they are not really imrpoving their application much at all so are looking at almost no gain from the lie. On the flip side the odds they get caught are pretty small but if they do get caught they are might be totally screwed ... at any time in their life having their admission, classes, and possibly degree revoked. To me that risk/reward trade-off is just insane to take. </p>
<p>How would small streched get caught? In an interview (most folks do not lie well) ... from the input of another applicant who legitimately claims the lie (now the schools questions why two people are making the same claim) ... from the recommendations where a teached trying to help wanders into this topic and tells the true story which conflicts with the application.</p>
<p>Is such a small gain worth such a large possible downside?</p>
<p>the opportunity cost of cheating is just too high and not even worth the thought at all.</p>
<p>already said...... if it is a minor stretch..... no risk but anyways would make no difference in app also....... thousands of club leaders there</p>
<p>Is the risk if any worth taking</p>
<p>Nope... Because your college transcript never goes away. they do indicate on your transcript that you were dismissed from the institution. Then you are left telling more lies to cover up the fact that you were kicked out of school for telling lies. It easily becomes a vicious circle.</p>
<p>I think on a side note if you are an international student, lie, get caught get your admission rescinded, then you would be screwed on more than one level (you could even compromise your being able to attend school in the U.S. period)</p>
<p>If you place half the effort into your application as you are looking for a way to get over and not get caught, I am sure you would end up being admitted on your own steam.</p>