Error in resume - noticed AFTER acceptance!

[PostTomato]

Hi everyone! 

I just got accepted into my dream PhD program (!!) but I noticed that one of my publications listed as "submitted" in my resume (which I also mention in my SoP) when applying was actually NOT sent (although completed). My co-author was supposed to do it and got confused, and she though I was supposed to (&*?$). I just had a follow up with her and realized this - needless to say I am horrified, already seeing myself getting thrown out from the program if they find out, etc. Of course I have just submitted this paper the second I realized the situation!

I received an unofficial email of acceptance last week and am still waiting for my official acceptance email.

Please note that I also have other published work in my resume.

I know you don't get accepted into grad school because of a "submitted" paper but... How bad do you think this is? Would it be somehow possible for them to withdraw their offer because of this? What are the chances that they find out the paper was submitted later than indicated (or should I tell them straight away, or would it make me look bad)? I am stressing a lot right now. Thanks for your help!!

Edited February 17, 2016 by PostTomato

[dells_of_bittersweet]

Shooting from the hip here:

Your resume will either be reviewed during a due diligence phase or it will be completely ignored. Decent chance the AdCom didn't seriously look at anything other than your LORs. 

In my field, after you have been recommended for admission, your application materials are verified. My guess is that this is to catch blatant falsehoods - forged LORs, transcripts, lied about your GRE scores, etc. The odds of them even noticing this are pretty small. 

Get the paper submitted before they do due diligence. If they ask about it, you have a story I think anyone would accept. 

Meanwhile, don't ask, don't tell. 

Edited February 18, 2016 by dells_of_bittersweet

[TakeruK]

My opinion is that this is fine, don't worry about it. Two reasons:

First, the only ways they would find out that the paper was submitted after the application deadline would be if 1) one of the admissions committee member is the editor or reviewer for your paper, or 2) when the paper gets published, someone checks the "submitted/received on" date. 

Second, and more importantly, this is not a problem because no one will care. If they did notice the discrepancy and asked you about it, just be honest and say what you said here. It's fine. 

[Eigen]

Echoing TakeruK, having a paper "submitted" means very little. It really just means that you had a draft ready to go. 

It could get a desk rejection 30 minutes after you submit your application, or it could go on to review. 

You had it ready for submission, it was only not submitted due to a miscommunication. I can't think anyone would care.