Do we even have to say it? Lying on your college application is a colossal mistake. It’s not just unethical; it’s a misrepresentation of who you are and what you stand for. And yes, it can lead to a revoked acceptance. But the consequences go beyond that. Read on to understand the full extent of the fallout from lying on your college application, as we, at Ivy Coach, spell it out in stark detail.

Lying on the College Application is More Common Than One Might Think

An acceptance from a top school is more highly sought after today than ever before, and for good reason! An elite education opens doors to socioeconomic mobility and interpersonal prestige that can transform lives. An Ivy League degree, in particular, is tied to higher income mid-career and access to social and professional networks composed of titans of industry, world-class artists, and high-ranking government officials. Given the immense benefits of attending a prestigious school, it’s no surprise that some students mistakenly believe they should lie their way into acceptance.

But these students (and the rest of us!) can rest assured that these schools have many checks to ensure those with dishonest intentions can’t out-game the admissions system. Across the board, one can expect to be either expelled or have their degree rescinded for lying on their application, no matter when the misrepresentation is found out. For example, here’s how Harvard takes care of anyone suspected of lying on their application:

“Harvard expects that you will be completely accurate in your application materials. If the committee has questions about aspects of your application including the authenticity of materials presented, they may be in touch directly with you to gather more information. If we discover a misrepresentation during the admissions process, you will be denied admission. If you have already been admitted, your offer will typically be withdrawn. If you have already registered, your admission will normally be revoked, and we will require you to leave the College. Harvard rescinds degrees if misrepresentations in application materials are discovered.”

The Consequences of Lying on Your College Application

That’s right. If your prospective school finds that you’ve lied on your college application, you can expect a swift recension of acceptance to come your way. But they won’t stop there. Let’s say you temporarily get away with it and enroll for your first year. You start to put roots down on campus, make friends, find your niche on campus, and then you’re caught red-handed and expelled in shame. Think we’re exaggerating? These stories are more common than one might think in this unprecedented era of college admissions competitiveness. And you won’t stop facing accountability after your first year. As the Harvard policy states, you could be subject to getting your degree rescinded long after you graduate!

This nightmare scenario can be entirely avoided by simply being honest on your application. And why shouldn’t you be? Wouldn’t you rather be able to say that you made it into the school of your dreams, not some exaggerated idea of you that doesn’t stand for who you are? You should look back on your time in college with pride for all you’ve accomplished, not paranoia that you might one day be found out.

Ivy Coach Helps Students Craft Honest, Highly Competitive Applications

Unsure what constitutes misrepresentation? Need a guiding hand to navigate the gray areas of your application? Ivy Coach’s former elite college admissions officer team is here to support you. We’ll work with you to develop a highly competitive, unique admissions hook drawn from wonderfully weird activities and pursuits that reflect a singular hook. With our help, you can optimize your chances of getting into the most selective schools in the nation, honestly and with pride. 

If you’re are interested in optimizing your child’s odds of admission to a highly selective college, fill out our complimentary consultation form and we’ll be in touch.