Huge Predicament- NEED HELP

McDonaldLover · 04-20-2008, 03:54 PM

Hey Guys,

I'm in a pretty awful situation. A couple days ago I recieved an In-School-Suspension for a minor offense at my high school. The administrators have told me that this will not be mentioned on my high school record or transcript. HOWEVER, do I still have disclose this information if asked "Have you ever been suspended or expelled?" on a college application. In my eyes they are looking for a 'true' suspension- an out of school one. What do you guys think? Will I have to mention this incident to colleges?

Tyler09 · 04-20-2008, 06:06 PM

Yes, if you don't want to lie you do.

But i guess you could lie and not get caught, so it's really up to you.

CDN_dancer · 04-20-2008, 06:08 PM

Talk to your guidance counsellor and see what he/she recommends, as he/she should have experience dealing with this sort of situation. Maybe you are correct and colleges are only looking for out-of-school suspensions, but make sure, as if you are ever caught lying on your application, it can result in serious consequences.

siddharthdhami · 04-21-2008, 01:51 AM

Yea... I agree with CDN_dancer.

I heard of one student lying about leadership positions in his school...He blatantly lied; he claimed to be the president of like 7 clubs for 3 years...And guess what?

The college (officer) called the school and found out about this lie.

As you'd expect: He got rejected...But, it didn't end here!

The college (that found out about the lie) contacted other colleges and told them about this ...So, this petty kid got rejected from all his dream schools...

So then, I think he got into some community college...coz, imo, they don't really care

McDonaldLover · 04-21-2008, 06:29 PM

Anyone else?

HighlandMom · 04-29-2008, 05:06 PM

Well I would disclose it. You don't want to be looking over your shoulder your entire college (and future) career.

However I would also be sure to have an interview and discuss it there, making clear the interviewee understood I was truly sorry and repentant and I had learned a life lesson.

From your posts it's a bit hard to tell whether this is true. It appears you might not think you deserved this? So maybe do some soul searching before you make your next move.

thebeef · 04-29-2008, 09:32 PM

Yes, you should disclose it.

I'm in a similar situation. In sophomore year I was suspended under a zero-tolerance policy when I found out how to install a game on my school issued laptop. It was minor and stupid, but I'll have to explain it on my app despite the fact that I'd rather it just go away. If you explain it well, you will also show that you are mature and are able to take responsibility for your own actions.

mutha5050 · 04-29-2008, 10:59 PM

I would call the schools you're applying to and ask them if they mean any suspensions or just out-of-school ones. There is DEFINITELY a difference in how big a deal they are. If they want to know about it no matter what, try writing about it in your essay, but without whining...more about what you took from the experience (without overdoing it).

Definitely don't lie.

khanum1 · 04-30-2008, 10:03 PM

just reiterating that yeah, don't lie. b/c if you get caught then...

yeah.

BUT i can understand how you feel. i would say talk to your counselor, and even if he/she says you absolutely have to report it, you can always explain the situation in your app (which would probably show that what you did isn't TOO big of a deal).

and getting clarification from the schools on what exactly they want reported is also smart

good luck w. everything!

UofRbound? · 04-30-2008, 10:12 PM

I differ with everyone else. Not because I am dishonest, but rather the fact that you mention it is a "minor" offense. Given that the administrators have told you that this will not be mentioned on your high school record or transcript, they are basically telling you not to mention it. It will not follow you out of high school.

If you are asked at some point by some college admissions officer, tell them. Also tell them you didn't disclose because the school told you it was not a big deal.

M's Mom · 04-30-2008, 10:36 PM

If an 'in school suspension' is your school's way of saying 'detention,' then I wouldn't mention it. If the school feels it's inconsequential and therefore not going in your record, they certainly won't bring it up with an admin officer later.

Normally, I'm a stickler for honesty in applications, but this one just isn't worth it.

yellowbus · 05-01-2008, 07:15 PM

guys, honestly if you're applying to a dream school then why not lie? I'm just curious, because everybody is yelling at him not to lie. The worst that can happen is not going into that college (the chances that the college will check up on each applicant and warn other colleges about it is very slim), so my personal opinion is to lie on your reach-colleges (since if you are suspended, you won't get in anyways, esp. the ivys) and tell the truth on your safeties. I know this goes against all convention but it makes perfect sense to me

Liist · 05-01-2008, 09:07 PM

College applications usually only look for major offenses and criminal records.

In fact, in my school we never use the word "suspension" when talking about in-school-suspension, we just say "ISSP". When someone gets out-of-school suspension, we just simply say that person has been suspended.

yellowbus · 05-04-2008, 12:01 PM

I've heard ivy leagues don't even look at applications that have suspensions, is this true?