Cheating is a lot more common than you might think.

The act of cheating is strongly stigmatized and frowned upon, both in academia and elsewhere, and yet it's rampant across college campuses. Cheaters are everywhere. The numbers prove it.

A recent op-ed by Arik Levinson, Professor of Economics at Georgetown University, shed light on how common cheating in college campuses is, why it happens, and what can be done about it. The stories he shares are eye-opening. Cheaters get away with it all the time, and they do it for all sorts of reasons.

If you've been accused of academic cheating then you have a right to a defense, regardless of whether or not you're guilty. People make mistakes, and it doesn't have to ruin your academic career. Call the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team at 888.535.3686 or message us online, and our experienced attorneys will guide you every step of the way.

Cheating is Everywhere

The statistics on cheating in universities are alarming.

More than 60% of university students freely admit to having cheated in some form. 58% admitted to plagiarism, and 95% participated in some form of cheating, such as copying homework.

In his op-ed, Professor Levinson points out the disparity between the frequency of cheating and reporting. Despite the high prevalence rates of cheating nationwide, 45% of faculty members claim to never observe cheating. At Georgetown University, where Levinson resides, only 1.6% of undergraduates were officially accused of misconduct.

The numbers show that a lot of college students cheat and that most of them get away with it. The shift to online learning post-pandemic and the use of generative AI tools have made cheating easier than ever.

The Shock of an Accusation

Imagine walking to a class or logging into your student portal to submit your homework, only to find out that you're under investigation for cheating.

Accusations come as a gut-wrenching surprise and carry far-reaching consequences. They can happen to anyone.

University students cheat for all sorts of reasons - academic pressure, poor time management skills, and pressure to perform. When so many students cheat, and only a few ever get caught, enforcement can seem arbitrary and unfair. Accused students often feel singled out.

“The mismatch would mean most misconduct goes unpunished,” notes Levinson, “...and the few students sanctioned each year feel unfairly scapegoated for activity everyone else gets away with.”

Consequences of Being Accused, Both Immediate and Long-Term

The consequences of an accusation hit heavy and hard.

First, there's the emotional toll. Being accused of cheating, regardless of guilt, can send you down a spiral of anxiety, fear, and shame. The investigation process can cause you to miss class or struggle to keep up with deadlines.

Then, there are the long-term implications. Being found guilty of academic misconduct can tarnish your transcript, lead to loss of financial aid, and follow you into grad school and even the workplace. Opportunities like internships and scholarships can vanish in a puff of smoke.

An Education Attorney Can Help You

Lots of undergraduate students cheat at some point or another. Even if you are found guilty, it shouldn't have to follow you for the rest of your life. People make mistakes—and they grow from them.

Levinson concludes his op-ed with a telling observation. Many of his students caught cheating went on to have successful careers in law, social work, and other fields.

If you're facing an academic misconduct charge, don't leave your future to chance. Contact the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team today at 888.535.3686 or message us online.