Applying to college not time for 'truthiness'

That's when he told me his plan. Without blinking he said, "I'm going to make up activities." He said he would invent activities like sports and club involvement that would make him seem like an active member of his school community and be impressive to admissions deans. He had investigated and thought that his odds (remember, he's a gambler) of getting caught were so slim that it was worth lying. I said all I could about the importance of truth, and, of course, about the consequences, too, but nothing could dissuade him.

Later, I called his father to relay our conversation, and though he laughed, he insisted that his son would be honest. I reminded him that his son would be attesting to the truthfulness of the application when he signed it. I never heard from the family again, and I don't know whether he eventually told the truth on his applications.

He had quite a conundrum: If he were honest and told about his gambling, he'd probably be denied. If he left the activities section blank, he'd be denied. If he lied and was admitted to college, he could risk getting caught and possibly expelled. There was also the chance that he wouldn"t get caught at all, at least not this time.

I don't know where he applied to college nor do I know where he matriculated. But, if he did lie, I believe that the truth will eventually prevail. Marilee Jones can probably attest to that.

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Joanne Levy-Prewitt is an independent college admissions adviser who works with students in the San Francisco area. E-mail her at jklprewitt@gmail.com.

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© Joanne Levy-Prewitt