Is it okay to stretch the truth or make things up in my college essay?
So I’ve been working on my college essay, and honestly, my life doesn’t feel as dramatic or unique as some of the stuff I’ve read online. I keep hearing about these wild experiences that people write about and how they sound really impressive.
I’m kinda tempted to exaggerate parts of my story, or maybe even just invent a few things that would make me stand out more. Would a college really know if I did this? Has anyone here done it and gotten away with it? I’m worried that if I stick to my regular experiences, I won’t come off as special enough to get admitted.
I’m kinda tempted to exaggerate parts of my story, or maybe even just invent a few things that would make me stand out more. Would a college really know if I did this? Has anyone here done it and gotten away with it? I’m worried that if I stick to my regular experiences, I won’t come off as special enough to get admitted.
4 months ago
•
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Camille Luong
• 4 months ago
Advisor
It’s pretty common to feel a bit of pressure to make your story stand out, especially when you read about others’ seemingly dramatic experiences. You’re definitely not alone in thinking your daily life might seem too ordinary for a college essay. But it’s really important to stick to the truth when writing your application.
Colleges are looking for authenticity. Admissions officers read thousands of essays and are skilled at spotting things that sound exaggerated, forced, or fake. If something feels unrealistic or too over-the-top, it can actually hurt your application because it comes across as inauthentic.
Stretching the truth or making up stories can also backfire if you’re ever asked follow-up questions during an interview or in supplemental materials. In rare cases, if a made-up story is discovered, it could lead to your admission being rescinded. There have even been high-profile cases where students lost acceptances after their fabrications were caught, sometimes through routine fact-checking.
What's more, you don’t need a dramatic or wild story to write a great essay. Often, it’s the small, specific, personal moments that reveal who you are. For example, a student once wrote a compelling essay about the quiet Saturday mornings they spent cooking breakfast with their grandparent, weaving in how it shaped their patience and attention to detail. That may sound basic, but it stood out because it was honest, reflective, and unique to them.
Instead of inventing events, focus on highlighting how you think, what you value, and how you respond to the world around you—even in everyday situations. If you reflect on your real experiences with depth and sincerity, your voice will come through, and that’s really what colleges want to see. Confidence in your honest story will go a long way. If you need help brainstorming, ask someone who knows you well for ideas about moments that reflect who you are—they often notice the special moments you might overlook.
Colleges are looking for authenticity. Admissions officers read thousands of essays and are skilled at spotting things that sound exaggerated, forced, or fake. If something feels unrealistic or too over-the-top, it can actually hurt your application because it comes across as inauthentic.
Stretching the truth or making up stories can also backfire if you’re ever asked follow-up questions during an interview or in supplemental materials. In rare cases, if a made-up story is discovered, it could lead to your admission being rescinded. There have even been high-profile cases where students lost acceptances after their fabrications were caught, sometimes through routine fact-checking.
What's more, you don’t need a dramatic or wild story to write a great essay. Often, it’s the small, specific, personal moments that reveal who you are. For example, a student once wrote a compelling essay about the quiet Saturday mornings they spent cooking breakfast with their grandparent, weaving in how it shaped their patience and attention to detail. That may sound basic, but it stood out because it was honest, reflective, and unique to them.
Instead of inventing events, focus on highlighting how you think, what you value, and how you respond to the world around you—even in everyday situations. If you reflect on your real experiences with depth and sincerity, your voice will come through, and that’s really what colleges want to see. Confidence in your honest story will go a long way. If you need help brainstorming, ask someone who knows you well for ideas about moments that reflect who you are—they often notice the special moments you might overlook.
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Camille Luong
Nomadic
Stanford University, BAH in Urban Studies
Experience
5 years
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