What happens if someone lies on their college application such as on extra-curricular activities or even on their essays

I think it depends on the caliber of the college you are applying to. So if you apply to an average college with a 60-75% acceptance rate, it doesn't really matter because they are a volume business and figure that a certain amount of students might cheat their way in but they don't have the resources to fact check each and every admit. But then you land at a mediocre college ranked 2300/4300 so what's the point right? And average colleges have poor International financial aid, so again what's the point? If the college you get admitted into cost $85,000 to attend each year, and as an Int'l student do not have $85,000 or $50,000 budgeted for your education each year, what's the point of applying to all these American colleges if you are only going to get funded 10% or 30%. You still can't go.

However, if you apply to a 3-5% Ivy or Elite college or small liberal arts college, I'm certain that most admitted students are fact-checked. It only takes 1 min to verify things on the internet. If you have zero social media presence that's a big yellow flag. And if your social media footprint doesn't align with your application narrative, that's a big red flag. This is why standardized tests like the SAT, ACT or TOEFL scores matter more for Int'l students. It's hard to get a 1550 SAT or 35 ACT score. And this is why course rigor matters as well. So if you attend a HS that offers APs and IBs, that course rigor is fully vetted. So is the IGSCE diploma.

If you are applying from outside the US, the competition is fierce especially if you need financial aid, so while I understand the impetus for cheating or making up credentials, even if you are admitted, you can't cheat your way through the Ivy Curriculum. It will just be a matter of time before your own lack of talent or ability throws you under the bus forcing you to drop out.

Whenever I read these questions and hypothetical inquiries, it just makes me feel sorry for those contemplating cutting the line. I hope that anyone falsifying their achievements, grades, test scores, recommendations, and essays is caught and black-listed.

Your life can also end up in the darkness of jail and who said they don't verify. If you lied about your school ECA, there are very very very very few chances you will be caught, but if you lied about your volunteer experience hours or part-time job hours, I mean you increased the hours too much you will be caught. If you lied about an exceptional achievement like say an olympiad or suppose you said that you are a national level swimmer and you produced a fake certificate, you will be caught red-handed. If you are admitted, you will be rusticated and your degree will be confiscated(if you have been awarded newly) if the case is new but if it's old suppose it's a 7-8-year-old case then the colleges will take action based on your condition. Suppose you are a top entrepreneur or say you are a scientist then, they will refrain from taking action because you may file a case against them for harassing you.

Colleges do verify what you say in the application and the LOR will also be a proof for your school-related ECAs like dramas, debates, clubs, etc

Thank you and Signing off,

Shashwata Mukherjee