Making up things in common app activities and awards

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A family friend is at an Ivy League school now. She cheated throughout HS.

Sounds about right!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, what's the difference between stretching the truth on ECs and submitting a test score which represents hours of undisclosed one on one tutoring, multiple retakes and extra time in a quiet room?

In one example you put the work into it (testing prep), and in the other example you pretend you did something you didn’t.

Writing down ECs you never did or greatly exaggerating is akin to having someone else take the test for you. You know, cheating.

Studying for hours to take a test(s) that everyone can take multiple times is the same as putting in the work in a time intensive ECs that build upon each other and then writing down the highest level attained(without exaggerating).

Ah the privilege!

It costs about 40 dollars and is also offered multiple times at public school. That is less than most lower income people spend on cable or Starbucks for a few drinks per month. And yea you can study for years if you want to with the free resources online. Ah!!

[Anonymous]

Yes, I'm kind of completely turned off by the Ivies and similar right now because I picture them being completely filled with the liars, cheaters and products of extreme helicopter parents. I.e. a wholly unappealing bunch and the kids that mine have tried to avoid.

(I'm being honest here--I'm sure the next posters will say that my kids could never get in anyway---probably true--but the kids applying to Ivies from their schools are largely a group that my kids want nothing to do with because of their intense and often unethical behavior).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, what's the difference between stretching the truth on ECs and submitting a test score which represents hours of undisclosed one on one tutoring, multiple retakes and extra time in a quiet room?

In one example you put the work into it (testing prep), and in the other example you pretend you did something you didn’t.

Writing down ECs you never did or greatly exaggerating is akin to having someone else take the test for you. You know, cheating.

Studying for hours to take a test(s) that everyone can take multiple times is the same as putting in the work in a time intensive ECs that build upon each other and then writing down the highest level attained(without exaggerating).

Ah the privilege!

It costs about 40 dollars and is also offered multiple times at public school. That is less than most lower income people spend on cable or Starbucks for a few drinks per month. And yea you can study for years if you want to with the free resources online. Ah!!

Tell me you don't know any lower income people without telling me you don't know any lower income people.

Lower income people (the majority of my extended family as well as my husband's) spend $0/month on cable and Starbucks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it's a good time to teach your kids to put themselves in the best light they can honestly. The admissions advantages are low, and the risks associated with dishonesty at this point are likely low too (unless your kid is claiming they won the Regeneron award or equivalent). It might serve as a later protection against higher stakes temptations to be dishonest (e.g., plagiarism) that can get you kicked out of school or other serious consequences, financial fraud that can get you serious fines/jail time.
All those who blame the system and encourage dishonesty in response likely don't value honesty as a core value--there's always a way to claim there's a tilted system -- tax laws, hiring practices, dating sites--that made you do it. If you value honesty and hope your kids do too---this is a meaningful time to encourage them to put it into action--the stakes are low but not non-existent. They will also encounter people who get away with --and get ahead from--being dishonest, but this just reinforces the stakes of being honest. You can't guarantee they will continue on this path, but you at least know they know you want them to.

Well said

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, what's the difference between stretching the truth on ECs and submitting a test score which represents hours of undisclosed one on one tutoring, multiple retakes and extra time in a quiet room?

In one example you put the work into it (testing prep), and in the other example you pretend you did something you didn’t.

Writing down ECs you never did or greatly exaggerating is akin to having someone else take the test for you. You know, cheating.

Studying for hours to take a test(s) that everyone can take multiple times is the same as putting in the work in a time intensive ECs that build upon each other and then writing down the highest level attained(without exaggerating).

Ah the privilege!

It costs about 40 dollars and is also offered multiple times at public school. That is less than most lower income people spend on cable or Starbucks for a few drinks per month. And yea you can study for years if you want to with the free resources online. Ah!!

Tell me you don't know any lower income people without telling me you don't know any lower income people.

Lower income people (the majority of my extended family as well as my husband's) spend $0/month on cable and Starbucks.

+1 I laughed out loud. Starbucks!?! And who has cable? Their grandma?

[Anonymous]

Just an FYI - In addition to any free testing at school, low income students get fee waivers for two free SAT tests. I don’t know how many kids take advantage of that. You’d need the awareness of the waivers, time, and transportation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I'm kind of completely turned off by the Ivies and similar right now because I picture them being completely filled with the liars, cheaters and products of extreme helicopter parents. I.e. a wholly unappealing bunch and the kids that mine have tried to avoid.

(I'm being honest here--I'm sure the next posters will say that my kids could never get in anyway---probably true--but the kids applying to Ivies from their schools are largely a group that my kids want nothing to do with because of their intense and often unethical behavior).

I went to grad school at Harvard and was an RA in the 2010s--I found the undergrad students to be generally amazing, brilliant and kind people. They are fairly earnest too. Don't believe the hype.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS, senior, told us several people in his class have made up titles and awards on their common app; examples below. I’m pissed. He said it’s super common sadly.

- varsity tennis (co-captain); in reality just a member

- Model UN; delegate award

- environmental club; vice president

- food drive; organizer

It’s crazy right? I mean it’s not huge or the end of the world but….

What is crazy is your assuming this is true.

Why wouldnt it be true? Heard from my kid who I trust.

Because schools go through your common ap and being on a sport is something that can be googled. Focus on your own kid because it is so strange that you are so invested in this that you are posting. This reminds me of the crazy Sidwell parents who were calling school to turn kids in for college applications

If you didn’t lie, no one would have had anything to “turn in.” Shrug.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, what's the difference between stretching the truth on ECs and submitting a test score which represents hours of undisclosed one on one tutoring, multiple retakes and extra time in a quiet room?

In one example you put the work into it (testing prep), and in the other example you pretend you did something you didn’t.

Writing down ECs you never did or greatly exaggerating is akin to having someone else take the test for you. You know, cheating.

Studying for hours to take a test(s) that everyone can take multiple times is the same as putting in the work in a time intensive ECs that build upon each other and then writing down the highest level attained(without exaggerating).

Ah the privilege!

It costs about 40 dollars and is also offered multiple times at public school. That is less than most lower income people spend on cable or Starbucks for a few drinks per month. And yea you can study for years if you want to with the free resources online. Ah!!

Tell me you don't know any lower income people without telling me you don't know any lower income people.

Lower income people (the majority of my extended family as well as my husband's) spend $0/month on cable and Starbucks.

+1 I laughed out loud. Starbucks!?! And who has cable? Their grandma?

Doesn’t everyone have cable these days?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, what's the difference between stretching the truth on ECs and submitting a test score which represents hours of undisclosed one on one tutoring, multiple retakes and extra time in a quiet room?

In one example you put the work into it (testing prep), and in the other example you pretend you did something you didn’t.

Writing down ECs you never did or greatly exaggerating is akin to having someone else take the test for you. You know, cheating.

Studying for hours to take a test(s) that everyone can take multiple times is the same as putting in the work in a time intensive ECs that build upon each other and then writing down the highest level attained(without exaggerating).

Ah the privilege!

It costs about 40 dollars and is also offered multiple times at public school. That is less than most lower income people spend on cable or Starbucks for a few drinks per month. And yea you can study for years if you want to with the free resources online. Ah!!

Tell me you don't know any lower income people without telling me you don't know any lower income people.

Lower income people (the majority of my extended family as well as my husband's) spend $0/month on cable and Starbucks.

+1 I laughed out loud. Starbucks!?! And who has cable? Their grandma?

Doesn’t everyone have cable these days?

we don’t

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, what's the difference between stretching the truth on ECs and submitting a test score which represents hours of undisclosed one on one tutoring, multiple retakes and extra time in a quiet room?

In one example you put the work into it (testing prep), and in the other example you pretend you did something you didn’t.

Writing down ECs you never did or greatly exaggerating is akin to having someone else take the test for you. You know, cheating.

Studying for hours to take a test(s) that everyone can take multiple times is the same as putting in the work in a time intensive ECs that build upon each other and then writing down the highest level attained(without exaggerating).

Ah the privilege!

It costs about 40 dollars and is also offered multiple times at public school. That is less than most lower income people spend on cable or Starbucks for a few drinks per month. And yea you can study for years if you want to with the free resources online. Ah!!

Tell me you don't know any lower income people without telling me you don't know any lower income people.

Lower income people (the majority of my extended family as well as my husband's) spend $0/month on cable and Starbucks.

+1 I laughed out loud. Starbucks!?! And who has cable? Their grandma?

Doesn’t everyone have cable these days?

Not here either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I'm kind of completely turned off by the Ivies and similar right now because I picture them being completely filled with the liars, cheaters and products of extreme helicopter parents. I.e. a wholly unappealing bunch and the kids that mine have tried to avoid.

(I'm being honest here--I'm sure the next posters will say that my kids could never get in anyway---probably true--but the kids applying to Ivies from their schools are largely a group that my kids want nothing to do with because of their intense and often unethical behavior).

I went to grad school at Harvard and was an RA in the 2010s--I found the undergrad students to be generally amazing, brilliant and kind people. They are fairly earnest too. Don't believe the hype.

You would have no idea if undergrads lied in their applications just bc you were an RA.

- former RA

[Anonymous]

The entire system is set up to reward extraverted sociopaths who like to brag.

[Anonymous]

I am sure kids make stuff up but other kids do not know the details of other kids’ resumes. My kid was VP of the environmental club back in the day but I guarantee few kids in the class even realized there were club officers.

Not saying kids don’t cheat but it might not be as black and white as you mean.