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The Dangers of Exaggeration on a College or Graduate School Application

By November 19, 2020September 25th, 2023No Comments

The pressure of getting into your dream college or graduate school can be severe. 

When filling out your application, you might start to think about stretching the truth a little bit. The truth is, you wouldn’t be the first to have these kinds of thoughts.

As a matter of fact, many applicants over the years have lied, exaggerated, and plagiarized their applications in hopes of gaining an edge in the race. 

But could there be repercussions if you exaggerated on your application? Can you fill out an application without exaggerating? 

What Could Happen if the School Finds Out That You Exaggerated?

While some people may be able to get away with small exaggerations due to the sheer number of applications a college or graduate school receives, the admissions officers have been doing their job for years. 

As such, they have experience on their side, and they have a trained eye to point out inconsistencies.

A spotted inconsistency can lead to a verification call. And when school authorities note an inconsistency in your application, they will be sure to go back and double-check to verify your claims.

If the school finds out that you lied in your application, your chances of being admitted are very slim, if not nonexistent. 

So what happens if you’ve already been accepted? The school authorities may revoke your admission at the time of discovery. And it may not matter that you’re already halfway into your course.

How Can You Fill Out College or Graduate School Applications Without Exaggerations?

It may seem like you’re shooting yourself in the leg if you don’t embellish your application to better your chances of getting in. 

But it is possible to fill out a college or graduate school application without making exaggerations, and still stand out.

Here are some things to keep in mind:

  • When applying for college or graduate school, you should write your essays yourself. While it’s not wrong to want to put out an outstanding essay, it would be odd if a 17-year-old sounded like a Nobel prize award-winning novelist. The fact is that the admission officers expect you to sound your age. But that doesn’t mean that you should dumb down your essay, and you should most certainly look for input from experienced adults.
  • You also want to be sure your interests match your previous pursuits. This may not be a matter of dishonesty but may show inconsistency. For example, it would look strange if you say you’re interested in politics, yet failed to take AP Government & Politics? Of course, it’s possible that an event occurred that sparked an interest in you. If this is the case, then you may want to include that process in your application.

Contact DC Student Defense if you’ve been accused of exaggerating on your application

The temptation to be liberal with the truth when filling out your college or graduate school application can be powerful. But remember, the risk of discovery is very real, and the consequences are dire.

It’s better to always tell the truth on your application. If you are accused of exaggerating, however, you need an experienced student defense attorney in your corner. Contact DC Student Defense today.

These materials have been prepared by Cohen Seglias for informational purposes only and are not intended and should not be construed as legal advice.

Shan Wu

Author Shan Wu

Shan’s professional and personal background gives him a unique understanding of academic institutions and the criminal justice system. A former federal prosecutor in Washington, D.C., he is at home in D.C. Courts and very familiar with all of the Washington, D.C. law enforcement agencies, especially the Metropolitan Police Department. His parents were university professors so he grew up in a university environment. He understands the mindset of academic institutions. As a prosecutor, he supervised in the misdemeanor crime section. This is the section of the Washington, D.C. prosecutor’s office that handles most college student cases. His understanding of charging decisions and how judges view these cases is invaluable to his student clients and their families. Shan served as a federal prosecutor in the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia for over ten years. During his tenure there, now Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr. appointed him to supervisory positions in the Misdemeanor Trial Section and also in a police corruption task force. His outstanding legal work in the government was recognized through numerous Special Achievement Awards from the Justice Department as well as awards conveyed by law enforcement agencies and community groups. From 1999-2000, Shan served as Counsel to Attorney General Janet Reno, advising her on criminal and civil investigations, E-Gov, E-Commerce (electronic signatures, internet gambling, internet telephony, privacy & public access issues in electronic court filings), congressional oversight, and legislative review. His responsibilities included serving as liaison to the FBI, DEA, Criminal Division, Executive Office of United States Attorneys, National Institute of Justice, and White House Counsel’s Office. Shan serves on the D.C. Bar Association’s Hearing Committee of the Board on Professional Responsibility and is a past president of the Asian Pacific American Bar Association for the Greater Washington, D.C. area. He is a 1988 graduate of Georgetown University Law Center, where he graduated Order of the Barristers, edited two law reviews, and was Co-Director of the Moot Court Program. He holds a B.A. in English Literature from Vassar College as well as a Master’s Degree in Creative Writing from Sarah Lawrence College. Following law school, he clerked for the late Hon. Jerry Buchmeyer, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, and the late Eugene Wright, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. He is admitted to practice law in the District of Columbia and Connecticut.

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