Xancalidon

Hi all,

Just wanted to get some input about an issue I'm going to be facing soon in my graduate admissions process.

Around the end of Spring 2011, I was expelled from a Top 10 IR undergraduate program I'd transferred into, due to unsatisfactory academic performance. Panicked, that summer, I "transferred" again to my local state university—but omitted the Top 10 IR program transcripts, only submitting the transcripts from the first university I'd been to.

I got in.

Fast-forward a few months later to Spring 2012. I'm taken to hospital due to a health issue, and am diagnosed with Bipolar, explaining the reason why I was unable to perform at Top 10 IR program. I accepted, and am still taking, medication + therapy.

Fast-forward to the present, I'm doing great in school, am about to get published, and am aiming towards top IR grad programs after I graduate from undergrad.

The issue, as is likely obvious by now, is the omission of transcript information from my state university transfer admission application. Being clear-headed now, I understand that what I did can likely be classified as fraudulent admission—very likely, in my opinion, putting a significant block in my academic future.

I have heard horror stories where people in similar situations have been found out, are blacklisted at their university and other universities, have been sued for "stealing" financial aid from that school, and, summarily, have their lives ruined as a result. I don't want this to happen to me.

I'd like to get input from someone on what my next steps should be. Given that I'm doing great work now, but have this issue, I am scared stiff of pursuing any kind of scholarships that might help me to pay for graduate school—and while I believe in my ability to perform at high levels given I continue my medication + therapy regimen, I am skeptical of my chances of getting into a good program without this proverbial Sword of Damocles dropping from the ceiling. I would very, very much appreciate any input from anyone willing to give it.

(yes, I know I'm probably ****ed if I apply; I need constructive input, not obvious information)

Xancalidon

Feel free to private message me with your thoughts.

neverdiss

Fess up. Whatever happens when you do will be better than if you wait and get found out later. You can always say your bad judgement came from being undiagnosed and untreated for your bipolar disorder, which may be true.

BTW, I am bipolar too. I was just diagnosed last year at age 49. You are so fortunate to have your diagnosis now, while young, and to be committed to your treatment. I, on the other hand, dropped out of college in what would have been my junior year. Ten years later, I returned and got my BS but life would have been way different, I suspect, had I treated my condition. This year, I begin collecting disability due to years of lost earning potential.

My 17 year old D, who is a high school senior, is also bipolar. She was diagnosed around the same time as I was. Good thing for her that, like you, her condition has been recognized early in life.

But my purpose in writing you is to encourage you to tell the truth about your transcript. As they say, doing so will set you free.

dowzerw

Hey, Xancalidon~How are things going for you and what did you decide to do? I have to agree with the previous poster that I think you should come clean. You may want to consult a lawyer first to see if there are ways to approach it so that you cover yourself to the extent that you can. As you move forward in your career, you don't want to have this come up and cause even more damage because you are father along. You also don't want to live under the spectre of the fear of being discovered. Consult with an attorney and make a plan for the best way to come clean. G

ood luck and let us know what you decide to do.

dowzerw

You do have a legitimate illness to fall back on as an excuse for your poor decision so you should come through okay but I definitely think you have to do it.