Do AOs Verify Activities?

[Anonymous]

On my DD’s Common App she listed a specific activity that is a 501c3 she formed a few years ago. Out of no where, she is recently getting emails to this organization’s address asking questions about the entity? Do AOs check activities? Could this be the colleges she applied to checking up on her?

[Anonymous]

Post Varsity Blues, I’m sure they do— or have the interns do it. Especially if the application seems off or the activity I’d impressive enough that it could sway admissions one way
or another. I doubt anYones chEcking uP on Latin Honor Society. But if your kid is claiming national level honors or ranking or recognition in something, and none of the recs mention it, and it isn’t in the essay, they might well check behind her

Just be honest. Cautionary tale. My best friend from law school was rested for public indecency as a Hs senior/minor— sex in a car in a public place with her boyfriend. Had it sealed because she wa a minor and didn’t report it to her college or law school. She trUthfuLly reported it on her Bar application which cauught the discrepancy. She had to go back to her Undergrad college and formally petition to amend her college application. Appeared before an honor committee at age 25, etc. Then, petition the law school to amend that application. Same deal, except in from of her current professors. Then have an additional character and fitness interview with the Bar. All to discuss having sex in public with her boyfriend at 17.

Bars pull college applications. I’m sure they get pull for other licensing, for security clearances, etc. it’s not worth it.

[Anonymous]

Our school CC said that last year several colleges called her to verify an applicant's activities (because the hours were so nigh).

[Anonymous]

Recently on Reddit I saw a student post a screenshot of their LinkedIn that showed an AO had looked at their profile.

I don't think every AO checks every activity for every student, but I assume there is *some* fact checking.

[Anonymous]

generally no
the whole systems is bullshit

[Anonymous]

Interesting. Maybe they are starting to check up. It does seem strange that it is a piece that can be so easily manipulated when many schools say it is something they "consider" in the admissions process.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:On my DD’s Common App she listed a specific activity that is a 501c3 she formed a few years ago. Out of no where, she is recently getting emails to this organization’s address asking questions about the entity? Do AOs check activities? Could this be the colleges she applied to checking up on her?

I think 501c3s are something that AOs check up on, and rightfully so. A minor can't start one without an adult's help (because they're too young to sign contracts). Most 501c3s started by high schoolers don't need to exist (they're duplicating work already being done in the community; a more productive use of time and resources is generally just to fundraise) so they're often seen as something students are doing only for their college applications. And face it: most are. Go look at some of the 501c3s started by students who graduated from your high school 2-5 years ago. Are any of them still in operation? Or did they shut down at the same time the founder headed off to college?

But I'm sure this is not the case with your daughter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I think 501c3s are something that AOs check up on, and rightfully so. A minor can't start one without an adult's help (because they're too young to sign contracts). Most 501c3s started by high schoolers don't need to exist (they're duplicating work already being done in the community; a more productive use of time and resources is generally just to fundraise) so they're often seen as something students are doing only for their college applications. And face it: most are. Go look at some of the 501c3s started by students who graduated from your high school 2-5 years ago. Are any of them still in operation? Or did they shut down at the same time the founder headed off to college?

Amen!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:On my DD’s Common App she listed a specific activity that is a 501c3 she formed a few years ago. Out of no where, she is recently getting emails to this organization’s address asking questions about the entity? Do AOs check activities? Could this be the colleges she applied to checking up on her?

I think 501c3s are something that AOs check up on, and rightfully so. A minor can't start one without an adult's help (because they're too young to sign contracts). Most 501c3s started by high schoolers don't need to exist (they're duplicating work already being done in the community; a more productive use of time and resources is generally just to fundraise) so they're often seen as something students are doing only for their college applications. And face it: most are. Go look at some of the 501c3s started by students who graduated from your high school 2-5 years ago. Are any of them still in operation? Or did they shut down at the same time the founder headed off to college?

But I'm sure this is not the case with your daughter.

+1000

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:On my DD’s Common App she listed a specific activity that is a 501c3 she formed a few years ago. Out of no where, she is recently getting emails to this organization’s address asking questions about the entity? Do AOs check activities? Could this be the colleges she applied to checking up on her?

I think 501c3s are something that AOs check up on, and rightfully so. A minor can't start one without an adult's help (because they're too young to sign contracts). Most 501c3s started by high schoolers don't need to exist (they're duplicating work already being done in the community; a more productive use of time and resources is generally just to fundraise) so they're often seen as something students are doing only for their college applications. And face it: most are. Go look at some of the 501c3s started by students who graduated from your high school 2-5 years ago. Are any of them still in operation? Or did they shut down at the same time the founder headed off to college?

But I'm sure this is not the case with your daughter.

Exactly! How is this even seen as a plus during applications? A few years ago it seemed like students were volunteering in developing countries but it doesn’t seem like AO give kids much credit for that. Now so many kids are starting useless nonprofits. I will take the kid who has worked hours in a minimum wage job. That is easily verifiable.

[Anonymous]

At my DCs local private school, you must meet with your guidance counselor to review your common app before you can submit. They specifically review the activities and awards section with the student to make sure everything is accurate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:On my DD’s Common App she listed a specific activity that is a 501c3 she formed a few years ago. Out of no where, she is recently getting emails to this organization’s address asking questions about the entity? Do AOs check activities? Could this be the colleges she applied to checking up on her?

I think 501c3s are something that AOs check up on, and rightfully so. A minor can't start one without an adult's help (because they're too young to sign contracts). Most 501c3s started by high schoolers don't need to exist (they're duplicating work already being done in the community; a more productive use of time and resources is generally just to fundraise) so they're often seen as something students are doing only for their college applications. And face it: most are. Go look at some of the 501c3s started by students who graduated from your high school 2-5 years ago. Are any of them still in operation? Or did they shut down at the same time the founder headed off to college?

But I'm sure this is not the case with your daughter.

Exactly! How is this even seen as a plus during applications? A few years ago it seemed like students were volunteering in developing countries but it doesn’t seem like AO give kids much credit for that. Now so many kids are starting useless nonprofits. I will take the kid who has worked hours in a minimum wage job. That is easily verifiable.

Let's say my friend owns Mcdonald and gives my DS a fake job there. How are they going to know?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At my DCs local private school, you must meet with your guidance counselor to review your common app before you can submit. They specifically review the activities and awards section with the student to make sure everything is accurate.

Which local private is this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At my DCs local private school, you must meet with your guidance counselor to review your common app before you can submit. They specifically review the activities and awards section with the student to make sure everything is accurate.

Which local private is this?

National Cathedral School.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:On my DD’s Common App she listed a specific activity that is a 501c3 she formed a few years ago. Out of no where, she is recently getting emails to this organization’s address asking questions about the entity? Do AOs check activities? Could this be the colleges she applied to checking up on her?

I think 501c3s are something that AOs check up on, and rightfully so. A minor can't start one without an adult's help (because they're too young to sign contracts). Most 501c3s started by high schoolers don't need to exist (they're duplicating work already being done in the community; a more productive use of time and resources is generally just to fundraise) so they're often seen as something students are doing only for their college applications. And face it: most are. Go look at some of the 501c3s started by students who graduated from your high school 2-5 years ago. Are any of them still in operation? Or did they shut down at the same time the founder headed off to college?

But I'm sure this is not the case with your daughter.

Exactly! How is this even seen as a plus during applications? A few years ago it seemed like students were volunteering in developing countries but it doesn’t seem like AO give kids much credit for that. Now so many kids are starting useless nonprofits. I will take the kid who has worked hours in a minimum wage job. That is easily verifiable.

Let's say my friend owns Mcdonald and gives my DS a fake job there. How are they going to know?

What do you mean by "giving DS fake job"? Has your DS worked at McDonald?