Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS working on finalizing top 10 EC/activities it in the (50/100/150 characters format) and then top 5 awards….

DS hearing his friends (private school) talking about a LOT of embellishment…with the EC (unique non-school) and one off awards.

How common is this? Isn’t someone checking?

Unique ECs and awards are not embellishment.They are just unique. "Embellishment" is usually a way people like to gloss over lying. Don't lie.

Exactly! Only rich people are allowed to lie..err. embellish..err.. do 'unique' activities and get 'unique' awards. Plebes shouldn't follow their example!

There are prep schools around here for AAP where kids as young as KG attend weekly classes, participate in "unique" activities and get awards. Parents include those awards in their statement that accompanies the application packet. What PP is describing are just somewhat grown up, private school versions of the same thing. Make sh*t up, just make sure the hours tally.

The best way to get rid of nonsense (e.g. ECs) is to make them meaningless by cheating. Same goes for essays. Use ChatGPT or other AI to write the essays. If all essays are done well, they stop becoming a differentiator that only rich people with access to paid professionals have access to. Tear down those walls!

It's sad how you try to justify cheating in the name of revolution for the people. That takes some kind of boldness and arrogance, frankly.

You don't have to be rich to have unique ECs. My kids do. They can even be service oriented. Brainstorm. Get creative. My kids have done some unique things and have done some things that were costly, but we got financial aid to help do it. So, middle class people, check out these opportunities, and ask about financial aid.

Sure, rich people have more options, but AOs know that. Don't equate inequity with cheating. Advocating making up ECs or Chat GPT essays is cheating. It stinks that rich kids have opportunities that my kid doesn't have, but it REALLY stinks (& hurts my kid) when you help your kid cheat and encourage others to do the same.

Lady. Chill! ECs and essays are the equivalent of a firewalled institution (that you subsidize) asking you if you rub your belly and bark like a dog twice a day. You are saying that you should train your kids to do that and answer honestly that they did or didn't or did just once a day. I'm saying reject this nonsense and claim that you did it two or three times a day while doing whatever it is you want to do (or nothing at all). If everyone does this, that requirement is bound to die. That's all.

Oh, if you really wanted to help you'd have said "My kids have done some unique things and have done some things that were costly, but we got financial aid to help do it and here's what they did". Try that next time.

That's a load if crap your peddling. It just speaks to you as entitled, lazy and unethical. Cheating is not liberating the people, it's ripping them off. Stop gaslighting people to make out that somehow what you are advocating is ok. It hurts the kids who have actually devoted time and energy to their activities, so that your slacker can capitalize. Not cool.

No one is forced to "jump through hoops." You choose to apply, so just don't apply to schools that care about level of ECs. But, don't lie and say you did something when you didn't or inflate the extent of involvement.

As far as getting financial aid for ECs, everyone has different interests, so what my kids did may not be relevant.
For those interested, one kid got financial aid for music lessons and scholarships for music and theatre camps/festivals. My other got financial aid for an educational research trip. Some activities have financial aid info on the website, some we just asked if it was available and what was the process for applying.

This is the critical point. You think ECs are crap? Great! Apply to schools that agree with you and don’t emphasize them. No different from test scores—my kid doesn’t want to submit test scores, which means MIT, Georgetown, and a bunch of state schools are off the table. The answer is to accept that and move on, not to lie.

I will gladly do that once the universities start paying taxes and I'm not subsidizing them! Until then, it's all fair game.

You clearly don't even understand what you think you are saying.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes - it’s lots of talking up roles/titles.

I know some kids from smaller schools who have have fabricated things. Nothing big.

And yes your child should complete ALL 10 activities spots. Do not Leave anything empty.

This is the opposite of what I've read and heard. I thought the focus should be on quality over quantity, deep commitment to one activity is better that 10 random ones, no?

Same. This is the reason they ask for time spent per activity.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS working on finalizing top 10 EC/activities it in the (50/100/150 characters format) and then top 5 awards….

DS hearing his friends (private school) talking about a LOT of embellishment…with the EC (unique non-school) and one off awards.

How common is this? Isn’t someone checking?

Unique ECs and awards are not embellishment.They are just unique. "Embellishment" is usually a way people like to gloss over lying. Don't lie.

Exactly! Only rich people are allowed to lie..err. embellish..err.. do 'unique' activities and get 'unique' awards. Plebes shouldn't follow their example!

There are prep schools around here for AAP where kids as young as KG attend weekly classes, participate in "unique" activities and get awards. Parents include those awards in their statement that accompanies the application packet. What PP is describing are just somewhat grown up, private school versions of the same thing. Make sh*t up, just make sure the hours tally.

The best way to get rid of nonsense (e.g. ECs) is to make them meaningless by cheating. Same goes for essays. Use ChatGPT or other AI to write the essays. If all essays are done well, they stop becoming a differentiator that only rich people with access to paid professionals have access to. Tear down those walls!

It's sad how you try to justify cheating in the name of revolution for the people. That takes some kind of boldness and arrogance, frankly.

You don't have to be rich to have unique ECs. My kids do. They can even be service oriented. Brainstorm. Get creative. My kids have done some unique things and have done some things that were costly, but we got financial aid to help do it. So, middle class people, check out these opportunities, and ask about financial aid.

Sure, rich people have more options, but AOs know that. Don't equate inequity with cheating. Advocating making up ECs or Chat GPT essays is cheating. It stinks that rich kids have opportunities that my kid doesn't have, but it REALLY stinks (& hurts my kid) when you help your kid cheat and encourage others to do the same.

Lady. Chill! ECs and essays are the equivalent of a firewalled institution (that you subsidize) asking you if you rub your belly and bark like a dog twice a day. You are saying that you should train your kids to do that and answer honestly that they did or didn't or did just once a day. I'm saying reject this nonsense and claim that you did it two or three times a day while doing whatever it is you want to do (or nothing at all). If everyone does this, that requirement is bound to die. That's all.

Oh, if you really wanted to help you'd have said "My kids have done some unique things and have done some things that were costly, but we got financial aid to help do it and here's what they did". Try that next time.

That's a load if crap your peddling. It just speaks to you as entitled, lazy and unethical. Cheating is not liberating the people, it's ripping them off. Stop gaslighting people to make out that somehow what you are advocating is ok. It hurts the kids who have actually devoted time and energy to their activities, so that your slacker can capitalize. Not cool.

No one is forced to "jump through hoops." You choose to apply, so just don't apply to schools that care about level of ECs. But, don't lie and say you did something when you didn't or inflate the extent of involvement.

As far as getting financial aid for ECs, everyone has different interests, so what my kids did may not be relevant.
For those interested, one kid got financial aid for music lessons and scholarships for music and theatre camps/festivals. My other got financial aid for an educational research trip. Some activities have financial aid info on the website, some we just asked if it was available and what was the process for applying.

This is the critical point. You think ECs are crap? Great! Apply to schools that agree with you and don’t emphasize them. No different from test scores—my kid doesn’t want to submit test scores, which means MIT, Georgetown, and a bunch of state schools are off the table. The answer is to accept that and move on, not to lie.

I will gladly do that once the universities start paying taxes and I'm not subsidizing them! Until then, it's all fair game.

This doesn’t even make sense! First of all, the people you’re cheating aren’t the universities getting the tax breaks—it’s the kids who want to go there and have to compete with your lying kid.

Second, I don’t think religious organizations should get tax breaks. By your logic, I can stroll into a church on Sunday and steal from the collection plate.

GTFOH with this lazy stuff. I’d respect you more if you just said, “yeah, I think it’s OK to cheat to get what you want.”

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS working on finalizing top 10 EC/activities it in the (50/100/150 characters format) and then top 5 awards….

DS hearing his friends (private school) talking about a LOT of embellishment…with the EC (unique non-school) and one off awards.

How common is this? Isn’t someone checking?

Unique ECs and awards are not embellishment.They are just unique. "Embellishment" is usually a way people like to gloss over lying. Don't lie.

Exactly! Only rich people are allowed to lie..err. embellish..err.. do 'unique' activities and get 'unique' awards. Plebes shouldn't follow their example!

There are prep schools around here for AAP where kids as young as KG attend weekly classes, participate in "unique" activities and get awards. Parents include those awards in their statement that accompanies the application packet. What PP is describing are just somewhat grown up, private school versions of the same thing. Make sh*t up, just make sure the hours tally.

The best way to get rid of nonsense (e.g. ECs) is to make them meaningless by cheating. Same goes for essays. Use ChatGPT or other AI to write the essays. If all essays are done well, they stop becoming a differentiator that only rich people with access to paid professionals have access to. Tear down those walls!

It's sad how you try to justify cheating in the name of revolution for the people. That takes some kind of boldness and arrogance, frankly.

You don't have to be rich to have unique ECs. My kids do. They can even be service oriented. Brainstorm. Get creative. My kids have done some unique things and have done some things that were costly, but we got financial aid to help do it. So, middle class people, check out these opportunities, and ask about financial aid.

Sure, rich people have more options, but AOs know that. Don't equate inequity with cheating. Advocating making up ECs or Chat GPT essays is cheating. It stinks that rich kids have opportunities that my kid doesn't have, but it REALLY stinks (& hurts my kid) when you help your kid cheat and encourage others to do the same.

Lady. Chill! ECs and essays are the equivalent of a firewalled institution (that you subsidize) asking you if you rub your belly and bark like a dog twice a day. You are saying that you should train your kids to do that and answer honestly that they did or didn't or did just once a day. I'm saying reject this nonsense and claim that you did it two or three times a day while doing whatever it is you want to do (or nothing at all). If everyone does this, that requirement is bound to die. That's all.

Oh, if you really wanted to help you'd have said "My kids have done some unique things and have done some things that were costly, but we got financial aid to help do it and here's what they did". Try that next time.

That's a load if crap your peddling. It just speaks to you as entitled, lazy and unethical. Cheating is not liberating the people, it's ripping them off. Stop gaslighting people to make out that somehow what you are advocating is ok. It hurts the kids who have actually devoted time and energy to their activities, so that your slacker can capitalize. Not cool.

No one is forced to "jump through hoops." You choose to apply, so just don't apply to schools that care about level of ECs. But, don't lie and say you did something when you didn't or inflate the extent of involvement.

As far as getting financial aid for ECs, everyone has different interests, so what my kids did may not be relevant.
For those interested, one kid got financial aid for music lessons and scholarships for music and theatre camps/festivals. My other got financial aid for an educational research trip. Some activities have financial aid info on the website, some we just asked if it was available and what was the process for applying.

This is the critical point. You think ECs are crap? Great! Apply to schools that agree with you and don’t emphasize them. No different from test scores—my kid doesn’t want to submit test scores, which means MIT, Georgetown, and a bunch of state schools are off the table. The answer is to accept that and move on, not to lie.

I will gladly do that once the universities start paying taxes and I'm not subsidizing them! Until then, it's all fair game.

My kid said there was lots of embellishing among classmates last year.

Someone even invented a fake family tragedy for an essay.

My kid worked hard, was honest, and did not pay off at selective schools but is happy with attending state flagship. Enjoy, its a "great" process !

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS working on finalizing top 10 EC/activities it in the (50/100/150 characters format) and then top 5 awards….

DS hearing his friends (private school) talking about a LOT of embellishment…with the EC (unique non-school) and one off awards.

How common is this? Isn’t someone checking?

Unique ECs and awards are not embellishment.They are just unique. "Embellishment" is usually a way people like to gloss over lying. Don't lie.

Exactly! Only rich people are allowed to lie..err. embellish..err.. do 'unique' activities and get 'unique' awards. Plebes shouldn't follow their example!

There are prep schools around here for AAP where kids as young as KG attend weekly classes, participate in "unique" activities and get awards. Parents include those awards in their statement that accompanies the application packet. What PP is describing are just somewhat grown up, private school versions of the same thing. Make sh*t up, just make sure the hours tally.

The best way to get rid of nonsense (e.g. ECs) is to make them meaningless by cheating. Same goes for essays. Use ChatGPT or other AI to write the essays. If all essays are done well, they stop becoming a differentiator that only rich people with access to paid professionals have access to. Tear down those walls!

It's sad how you try to justify cheating in the name of revolution for the people. That takes some kind of boldness and arrogance, frankly.

You don't have to be rich to have unique ECs. My kids do. They can even be service oriented. Brainstorm. Get creative. My kids have done some unique things and have done some things that were costly, but we got financial aid to help do it. So, middle class people, check out these opportunities, and ask about financial aid.

Sure, rich people have more options, but AOs know that. Don't equate inequity with cheating. Advocating making up ECs or Chat GPT essays is cheating. It stinks that rich kids have opportunities that my kid doesn't have, but it REALLY stinks (& hurts my kid) when you help your kid cheat and encourage others to do the same.

Lady. Chill! ECs and essays are the equivalent of a firewalled institution (that you subsidize) asking you if you rub your belly and bark like a dog twice a day. You are saying that you should train your kids to do that and answer honestly that they did or didn't or did just once a day. I'm saying reject this nonsense and claim that you did it two or three times a day while doing whatever it is you want to do (or nothing at all). If everyone does this, that requirement is bound to die. That's all.

Oh, if you really wanted to help you'd have said "My kids have done some unique things and have done some things that were costly, but we got financial aid to help do it and here's what they did". Try that next time.

That's a load if crap your peddling. It just speaks to you as entitled, lazy and unethical. Cheating is not liberating the people, it's ripping them off. Stop gaslighting people to make out that somehow what you are advocating is ok. It hurts the kids who have actually devoted time and energy to their activities, so that your slacker can capitalize. Not cool.

No one is forced to "jump through hoops." You choose to apply, so just don't apply to schools that care about level of ECs. But, don't lie and say you did something when you didn't or inflate the extent of involvement.

As far as getting financial aid for ECs, everyone has different interests, so what my kids did may not be relevant.
For those interested, one kid got financial aid for music lessons and scholarships for music and theatre camps/festivals. My other got financial aid for an educational research trip. Some activities have financial aid info on the website, some we just asked if it was available and what was the process for applying.

This is the critical point. You think ECs are crap? Great! Apply to schools that agree with you and don’t emphasize them. No different from test scores—my kid doesn’t want to submit test scores, which means MIT, Georgetown, and a bunch of state schools are off the table. The answer is to accept that and move on, not to lie.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How could they check unless it’s some huge national well known award? In over twenty years of teaching I’ve sponsored many clubs. No one had ever contacted me to verify anything. I don’t submit anything to anyone with the names of club officers. This is part of the reason I think most of this on college applications is a joke. They could put they founded any club.

Exactly. This is what we’ve heard.
And outright listing yourself as VP of a school club when it’s not true, but there are several diff vice presidents so it doesn’t really matter….

It does if you are lying and didn't serve in this position. My kid actually was VP, so don't claim her work when you didn't do it.

That's the problem with the clubs, kids want to be a "leader" for their college application but don't care about actually running the club.

DP. My daughter actually busted her tail throughout high school, leading two specific clubs. It's too bad there are some kids who pretend to do what she spent many hours actually doing.

This is about where we are and much of it verifiable on the internet even though ours have intentionally kept their actual "names" to a very limited footprint. Others are self-explanatory (or similar enough across schools and even generations) -- examples: yearbook, newspaper/blog editor, drum major or lead role in a drama/theatre production.

We've told ours, while there's nothing wrong with using current buzzwords, be accurate and ready to substantiate (to whomever) whether they ever have to or not.

I used to do alum interviews. I get a list of the candidates' ECs and I usually ask about them. In a few cases, it became obvious that they were stretching or outright lying.

One kid claimed he had a successful web design business, which was making tens of thousands a year. I googled. I found ONE website with a big logo saying "website design by X." I googled the business---owned by Y. googled Y--he was the candidate's uncle.

So, in my report, I said I had my doubts about this business and if it were a big factor in the decision, the college might follow up and ask for tax returns or some other proof it generated the funds he was claiming. He was rejected, but I saw he got into another top school. I've no idea if my doubts played a role or not.

One high school makes every senior a captain of a sports team. So, if there are 5 senior swimmers , all 5 are "captain" of the swim team. I asked one kid about any leadership role and he gushed on an on about how he had really turned the swim team around. I asked if his co-captains had played any role, and he turned white as a sheet.

I gave extra credit to the kids who were honest, e.g., co-captain of the swim team; or one of 10 students representing the high school in the local Ocean bowl--yeah, it's a thing. One girl had one EC, which sounded rather minor, but when I asked about it she lit up like a Christmas tree and starting talking about it. It became clear she was spending WAY more time on this than you'd suspect and she'd brought along a couple of the "before" and "after"--it involved a school publication--and she showed me all the design changes she made and all the hoops she'd had to get through to get them made, which included fundraising to get the money for new software, etc. I wrote it up and recommended she be admitted. Again, it's not my recommendation that matters; it's the detailed info I gave that I think showed that this EC was important to her and she'd planned what she saw as needed changes over the course of a couple of years. She was admitted. Again, I don't know if what I wrote mattered or not. I like to think it does.

So, while I don't think anyone actually checks each and every application's claimed ECs, I think there are steps along the way when someone might note something and check it out.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS working on finalizing top 10 EC/activities it in the (50/100/150 characters format) and then top 5 awards….

DS hearing his friends (private school) talking about a LOT of embellishment…with the EC (unique non-school) and one off awards.

How common is this? Isn’t someone checking?

Unique ECs and awards are not embellishment.They are just unique. "Embellishment" is usually a way people like to gloss over lying. Don't lie.

Exactly! Only rich people are allowed to lie..err. embellish..err.. do 'unique' activities and get 'unique' awards. Plebes shouldn't follow their example!

There are prep schools around here for AAP where kids as young as KG attend weekly classes, participate in "unique" activities and get awards. Parents include those awards in their statement that accompanies the application packet. What PP is describing are just somewhat grown up, private school versions of the same thing. Make sh*t up, just make sure the hours tally.

The best way to get rid of nonsense (e.g. ECs) is to make them meaningless by cheating. Same goes for essays. Use ChatGPT or other AI to write the essays. If all essays are done well, they stop becoming a differentiator that only rich people with access to paid professionals have access to. Tear down those walls!

It's sad how you try to justify cheating in the name of revolution for the people. That takes some kind of boldness and arrogance, frankly.

You don't have to be rich to have unique ECs. My kids do. They can even be service oriented. Brainstorm. Get creative. My kids have done some unique things and have done some things that were costly, but we got financial aid to help do it. So, middle class people, check out these opportunities, and ask about financial aid.

Sure, rich people have more options, but AOs know that. Don't equate inequity with cheating. Advocating making up ECs or Chat GPT essays is cheating. It stinks that rich kids have opportunities that my kid doesn't have, but it REALLY stinks (& hurts my kid) when you help your kid cheat and encourage others to do the same.

Lady. Chill! ECs and essays are the equivalent of a firewalled institution (that you subsidize) asking you if you rub your belly and bark like a dog twice a day. You are saying that you should train your kids to do that and answer honestly that they did or didn't or did just once a day. I'm saying reject this nonsense and claim that you did it two or three times a day while doing whatever it is you want to do (or nothing at all). If everyone does this, that requirement is bound to die. That's all.

Oh, if you really wanted to help you'd have said "My kids have done some unique things and have done some things that were costly, but we got financial aid to help do it and here's what they did". Try that next time.

That's a load if crap your peddling. It just speaks to you as entitled, lazy and unethical. Cheating is not liberating the people, it's ripping them off. Stop gaslighting people to make out that somehow what you are advocating is ok. It hurts the kids who have actually devoted time and energy to their activities, so that your slacker can capitalize. Not cool.

No one is forced to "jump through hoops." You choose to apply, so just don't apply to schools that care about level of ECs. But, don't lie and say you did something when you didn't or inflate the extent of involvement.

As far as getting financial aid for ECs, everyone has different interests, so what my kids did may not be relevant.
For those interested, one kid got financial aid for music lessons and scholarships for music and theatre camps/festivals. My other got financial aid for an educational research trip. Some activities have financial aid info on the website, some we just asked if it was available and what was the process for applying.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some schools check. They Google awards. The UCs randomly audit them. They also look at hours and will notice of the hours are out of whack.

Thanks for the chuckle. No. This doesn't happen. Ever. They simply do not have the time and / or manpower. Nice try though.

Except they do. It happened to a kid at my DD’s school in the 2022 cycle. They asked for documentation.

And I know 2 white HYP kids who got in and going where half their list was “embellished” or frankly fabricated.

After listening to our private counselor, I think you guys are naive.

I think you meant honest. It's not about naiveté, it's about integrity. I hope your kid has some even if you don't.

+1 If you encourage/support an application that is not really who they are/what they did just so they have a better shot at HYP, you are teaching them that prestige>integrity. What a crappy message to send.

HYPs aren't exactly churning out saints now, are they? Have they ever?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS working on finalizing top 10 EC/activities it in the (50/100/150 characters format) and then top 5 awards….

DS hearing his friends (private school) talking about a LOT of embellishment…with the EC (unique non-school) and one off awards.

How common is this? Isn’t someone checking?

Unique ECs and awards are not embellishment.They are just unique. "Embellishment" is usually a way people like to gloss over lying. Don't lie.

Exactly! Only rich people are allowed to lie..err. embellish..err.. do 'unique' activities and get 'unique' awards. Plebes shouldn't follow their example!

There are prep schools around here for AAP where kids as young as KG attend weekly classes, participate in "unique" activities and get awards. Parents include those awards in their statement that accompanies the application packet. What PP is describing are just somewhat grown up, private school versions of the same thing. Make sh*t up, just make sure the hours tally.

The best way to get rid of nonsense (e.g. ECs) is to make them meaningless by cheating. Same goes for essays. Use ChatGPT or other AI to write the essays. If all essays are done well, they stop becoming a differentiator that only rich people with access to paid professionals have access to. Tear down those walls!

It's sad how you try to justify cheating in the name of revolution for the people. That takes some kind of boldness and arrogance, frankly.

You don't have to be rich to have unique ECs. My kids do. They can even be service oriented. Brainstorm. Get creative. My kids have done some unique things and have done some things that were costly, but we got financial aid to help do it. So, middle class people, check out these opportunities, and ask about financial aid.

Sure, rich people have more options, but AOs know that. Don't equate inequity with cheating. Advocating making up ECs or Chat GPT essays is cheating. It stinks that rich kids have opportunities that my kid doesn't have, but it REALLY stinks (& hurts my kid) when you help your kid cheat and encourage others to do the same.

Lady. Chill! ECs and essays are the equivalent of a firewalled institution (that you subsidize) asking you if you rub your belly and bark like a dog twice a day. You are saying that you should train your kids to do that and answer honestly that they did or didn't or did just once a day. I'm saying reject this nonsense and claim that you did it two or three times a day while doing whatever it is you want to do (or nothing at all). If everyone does this, that requirement is bound to die. That's all.

Oh, if you really wanted to help you'd have said "My kids have done some unique things and have done some things that were costly, but we got financial aid to help do it and here's what they did". Try that next time.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some schools check. They Google awards. The UCs randomly audit them. They also look at hours and will notice of the hours are out of whack.

Thanks for the chuckle. No. This doesn't happen. Ever. They simply do not have the time and / or manpower. Nice try though.

Except they do. It happened to a kid at my DD’s school in the 2022 cycle. They asked for documentation.

And I know 2 white HYP kids who got in and going where half their list was “embellished” or frankly fabricated.

After listening to our private counselor, I think you guys are naive.

I think you meant honest. It's not about naiveté, it's about integrity. I hope your kid has some even if you don't.

+1 If you encourage/support an application that is not really who they are/what they did just so they have a better shot at HYP, you are teaching them that prestige>integrity. What a crappy message to send.

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone's kid not have ANY awards?

Our private school does not give any until graduation and the kids has no applied for any national awards (not even sure what these are). Otherwise she's a top student.

My kids' school is the same. Awards are given at graduation. But she listed where she placed in science fairs and both kids had the "AP Scholar" designation, which seems like a low bar (I think it's 3 AP w/ a score of 3+).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How could they check unless it’s some huge national well known award? In over twenty years of teaching I’ve sponsored many clubs. No one had ever contacted me to verify anything. I don’t submit anything to anyone with the names of club officers. This is part of the reason I think most of this on college applications is a joke. They could put they founded any club.

Exactly. This is what we’ve heard.
And outright listing yourself as VP of a school club when it’s not true, but there are several diff vice presidents so it doesn’t really matter….

It does if you are lying and didn't serve in this position. My kid actually was VP, so don't claim her work when you didn't do it.

That's the problem with the clubs, kids want to be a "leader" for their college application but don't care about actually running the club.

DP. My daughter actually busted her tail throughout high school, leading two specific clubs. It's too bad there are some kids who pretend to do what she spent many hours actually doing.

Same here. The amount of justification on this board for cheating is just nuts. Kids, if you want to claim the activities, put in the sweat equity. It's not that hard.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some schools check. They Google awards. The UCs randomly audit them. They also look at hours and will notice of the hours are out of whack.

Thanks for the chuckle. No. This doesn't happen. Ever. They simply do not have the time and / or manpower. Nice try though.

Except they do. It happened to a kid at my DD’s school in the 2022 cycle. They asked for documentation.

And I know 2 white HYP kids who got in and going where half their list was “embellished” or frankly fabricated.

After listening to our private counselor, I think you guys are naive.

I think you meant honest. It's not about naiveté, it's about integrity. I hope your kid has some even if you don't.