The Dangers of Exaggeration on a College or Graduate School Application

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?

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.

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:

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.