<p>This question is not for me, I have already accepted an admission offer somewhere else but I do know someone who really wants to go here. They have gotten good grades the past 3 semesters but got a lot of B's and C's before that. They have poor test scores but strong ECs. However, they have told me that they want to change a C+ to a B- on their application and I have tried to talk them out of it but they don't listen to anyone. I am not sure of the consequences but I want to know so I can tell them and hopefully take them out of it.</p>
<p>You have to send an official transcript to the school so I highly doubt that lying on the common app will be of any use. Changing one C+ to a B- will definitely alert them and they will likely not accept the student, but I don’t think they have enough proof or power to restrict him from applying and accepting offers from elsewhere.</p>
<p>Is this even a legitimate question?</p>
<p>Either way, lying about a grade on a college application is - quite frankly - dumb. The college would notice the discrepancy with the transcript, would probably call your school, and if they find out you intentionally lied, you would be rejected. If you actually want to go to that school, don’t lie about anything on your application and just hope for the best. That’s all.</p>
<p>That is what I keep saying but they don’t listen!</p>
<p>As the above users have said, you will have to send in an official transcript containing the actual grades which would show a discrepancy when GPAs are calculated and verified.</p>
<p>And even if you don’t believe it, I have heard that they have people go through transcripts and confirm accuracy once they’ve been admitted. So, trying to bank on them not noticing is not very likely.</p>
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You have done what you can. Encourage the individual to apply to safeties where the C+ will not be an issue if they insist on ruining all chances at USC with this foolish attempt at deception.</p>
<p>As everyone else has said, transcripts will clearly show the discrepancy and cast doubt upon everything in the application, including those good ECs. To be honest, someone who cannot see the problems with this plan very likely does not posses the intellectual abilities necessary to pass classes at USC…</p>
<p>@alamemom, I think this person completely understands the problems, but is doubtful that USC and other universities actually take the time to match up reported scores with actual scores. This is a reasonable doubt, as I recall many kids from my high school class joke around about changing their UC reported grades (no one actually did, though).</p>
<p>While I agree that there could be some doubt if ALL applicants will have their transcripts checked, but I can guarantee that all students who commit to USC (or to any of the *UCs) will indeed have their transcripts checked - which is why every year there are students who have their admission rescinded (and the notices arrive too late to commit to other schools…).</p>
<p>So a rejected applicant may “get away” with falsifying their application, what purpose would it serve as they have been rejected.</p>
<p>Again, an individual who thinks this is a workable strategy is severely lacking in critical thinking skills.</p>
<p>*Applicants often think this strategy will work at UCs because transcripts are neither requested nor accepted during the UC application process. Students who DO choose to falsify are in for an unpleasant surprise when they find that they must submit transcripts before enrolling at all UCs.</p>
<p>If your friend gets an admission offer from USC based on any false information, she/he may have the initial euphoria because she/he can brag about getting accepted to USC. However, an admission offer is conditional. Colleges can rescind an offer any time. False reporting of grades and test scores is one reason an offer is rescinded. They will look at your friend’s official and final HS transcript.</p>