Article
Safeguarding higher education admissions
Identifying red flags in student application documentation
Aug. 17, 2024 · Authored by Katlyn Andrews, Jennifer Romano
The globalization of education has significantly increased the number of international students seeking admission to higher education institutions worldwide. This surge has brought immense cultural and academic diversity, enriching the learning environment. However, it has also introduced new challenges, including concerns around the authenticity of admissions documentation. Fraudulent documents have become a growing issue, posing significant risks to the educational institutions’ integrity and the student body quality.
International student admissions fraud involves the submission of falsified or manipulated documents, such as transcripts, diplomas, recommendation letters and standardized test scores. The motivations behind these fraudulent activities vary, ranging from students attempting to meet stringent entry requirements, agents and third-party service providers engaging in unethical practices to secure admissions for their clients and financial motivations such as eligibility for merit scholarships and other forms of financial aid. The impact of admitting students based on fraudulent documentation can be profound. It undermines academic program credibility, devalues other students’ achievements and strains institutional resources. Moreover, it can lead to legal and financial repercussions for the institutions involved as they are required to maintain accurate Student & Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) records.
Key risks associated with students who submitted fraudulent or altered documentation during the admissions process
- Reputation damage: The university's reputation can be severely damaged if it becomes known that students were admitted based on fraudulent information, including attempts to secure financial benefits such as merit scholarships. This can lead to a loss of trust among prospective students, parents, alumni and donors
- Academic integrity: Allowing students with fraudulent credentials to gain admission, whether for merit scholarships or other reasons, undermines the institution's commitment to academic integrity and fairness. This creates an unfair environment for other students who were admitted based on their true merits
- Legal and regulatory consequences: Legal repercussions for the institution could ensue if it is found to be negligent in its admissions process, including cases where fraudulent documentation was submitted to obtain financial benefits like scholarships. This might involve lawsuits or penalties from regulatory bodies that oversee higher education standards. If a student who is admitted under false pretenses is a perceived threat to national security, the institution also risks losing its Student & Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification and the ability to enroll international students
| What we do | What you get |
| Review the institution’s policies, resources and tools related to admissions practices and in particular, the review and reading of applications and supporting documentation | A facilitated discussion with key process owners across the institution to identify opportunities for increased awareness and enhanced collaboration |
| Identify the roles and responsibilities within the admissions department to determine how the policies and practices are implemented and executed | A clear understanding and layout of responsibilities, segregation of duties and controls in place to ensure proper review is taking place |
| Evaluate current procedures to determine whether there are processes in place to support effective application and documentation review processes for incoming students | Actionable recommendations to address identified gaps, challenges, risks or enhancement opportunities based on institutional policies, legal requirements and industry leading practices |
For more information, or to learn how Baker Tilly’s higher education risk specialists can help your institution, contact our team.
