Lying about race on college application?

I have a question, but just to make it clear, I'm not planning on lying on my application. I've heard about people who lied about their race to get advantages during the admissions process. Is this a common thing? Can colleges actually find out if someone lied about their race on their application?

Lying about one's race on a college application is both unethical and risky. While it may not be commonplace, there have been instances where people have tried to manipulate race to gain some perceived advantage in college admissions. However, it's important to remember that integrity and honesty are crucial in the holistic application review process.

Regarding whether colleges can find out if someone lied about their race, the answer is yes, they can. Often, colleges will ask for additional documentation or verification (particularly when it comes to scholarships and financial aid) which may reveal inconsistencies in the information provided. For example, documentation such as parents' tax returns, official transcripts, and citizenship information could expose this lie. It's also worth noting that beyond race, the college application process takes into account many other factors such as academics, extracurriculars, leadership, personal qualities, and essays. In many cases, fabricating information about oneself could lead to greater scrutiny in the holistic review process.

Ultimately, lying about one's race or other personal information compromises the integrity of the college application process and could lead to serious repercussions, including rescinding of acceptances or even expulsion if discovered after enrollment. It's always best to present an authentic, honest representation of yourself throughout the college application process.