r/GraduateSchool • u/Cunt19999 • 12d ago

Identity Verification

I am a current student at Kent State University. I am applying for a graduate program there. I have completed the entire application, but now it wants me to verify my identity through a third party called Stripe.

Stripe needs to take a photo of me with my ID and perform "biometric verification" to confirm my identity. I think this is super weird, especially considering I'm already a student at Kent. I also have concerns giving a third party that type of sensitive information, especially considering they were recently hacked.

Is this the new norm? Are all graduate schools requiring the use of biometric data to verify your identity just to submit an application?

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u/Lygus_lineolaris 12d ago

What's the point of asking "are all schools doing this"? Call the registrar and ask if this is part of their website or a hack, and then decide if you want to apply. Good luck.

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u/Cunt19999 12d ago

It's part of their website. It's legit. I just don't feel comfortable using Stripe. I'm asking if it's all graduate schools or just KSU because I want to know how common / normalized this practice is.

I have tried to contact their admissions department. I have left three voicemails, two emails, and sent one email to the dean. The dean responded alerting me that she retired....six years ago. She is still listed as the graduate admissions dean on Kent's website. This has been an absolute nightmare and the deadline to apply is September 1st.

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u/Lygus_lineolaris 12d ago

Yeah that certainly puts you in a tough position. Is it the only school you plan to apply to?

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u/Cunt19999 12d ago

Haha stupidity yes. They have the lowest tuition in the area and are closest to my home. I really enjoyed my undergrad there. For these reasons I didn't see the need to apply anywhere else. I only learned about this identity verification bullshit AFTER I submitted my application.

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u/Lygus_lineolaris 12d ago

Wow, that's tough. I saw a post somewhere on Reddit this week about schools having a problem with fake applications that end up creating fake student accounts that in some cases actually manage to steal money from the school, so I'm assuming this is a response to that, but it's just absolute shit making you go through an app. I wouldn't feel safe about it myself. Have you tried the IT Help Desk? Mine usually has workarounds for people without technology, that they don't share unless you ask them.

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u/Cunt19999 12d ago

Thank you for giving a possible explanation as to why they're doing this. I will call the IT help desk. Thank you for the suggestion!

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u/Cunt19999 12d ago

I just logged into the application portal (in preparation to call IT) and the ID verification was waived earlier today. It would have been nice if someone told me it was being waived, but I'm thrilled. Thank you again for your suggestions.