Hey, I'm just curious about how exactly colleges verify the extracurriculars that we put on our applications? Can anyone talk me through the process, maybe provide some examples?
Sure, I can help you understand the process of verifying extracurriculars on college applications. In general, colleges trust students to accurately report their extracurricular activities, but they do have ways of verifying the information if they have any concerns or doubts.
1. Counselor/teacher recommendations: Colleges often pay attention to what your teachers and counselors say about you in their recommendation letters. If your extracurricular activities are mentioned and match what you have on your application, it serves as additional validation.
2. Contacting the organization or activity advisor: In some cases, a college might directly contact the advisor or coach of a specific extracurricular activity to confirm the details you provided on your application. This typically happens if they have a question or concern about the accuracy of the information.
3. Social media and online presence: Colleges may also do a quick search of your online presence to see if there's any public information about your extracurricular involvement. This could include seeing your name on the school or organization's website, articles, or even on your own social media profiles.
4. Interviews: Interviews are another way colleges can ask about your extracurriculars. While the main purpose of the interview might not be for verification, the interviewer may ask you about your experiences and involvement in specific activities.
It's important to note that colleges typically only investigate further if something is inconsistent, sounds too good to be true, or if there are any other red flags. Always be honest and accurate with your extracurricular involvement on your application, as providing false information can have severe consequences, including having your acceptance revoked. So, stick to the truth, and you should have nothing to worry about.
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