Do Colleges Check Extracurriculars?

I've been pretty involved in extracurricular activities during my high school years. But I recently heard that colleges might not actually verify my involvement. Is that true? If so, does that mean some applicants could exaggerate or lie about their participation?

Yes, it is true that colleges likely won't check every single extracurricular activity listed on an applicant's application, as doing so for tens of thousands of applicants would be prohibitively time-consuming. However, that doesn't mean you should consider exaggerating or lying about your participation. Admissions officers have years of experience in evaluating applications and can often identify suspicious activities or inconsistencies in an applicant's profile. If they have doubts about the authenticity of an activity, they may reach out to a student's high school counselor for confirmation, so it's crucial to stay honest and genuine in your application.

Keep in mind that, while there's a chance some applicants may exaggerate their activities or achievements, lying in the college application process comes with severe consequences. If a college finds out that a student misrepresented themselves on their application, they can rescind admission, revoke scholarships, or even expel a student if they have already enrolled.

Instead of worrying about the possibility of others lying on their applications, focus on accurately and effectively presenting your own achievements and experiences. It's better to have a sincere, well-rounded application that truly represents your interests and accomplishments, rather than attempting to fabricate an unrealistic persona. Authenticity will not only help you stand out to colleges, but it will also contribute to your personal growth and development.

Best of luck with your college applications!