Discussing Less-wholesome Things on the Personal Statement

suwaifo · 07-05-2008, 11:27 PM

I will be applying this year for admissions to some UC for the fall of '09. I have done the application before as a high school student, and I know what to expect as a college transfer student.

During high school, I was caught cheating in my AP US History class. No, I didn't copy down somebody else's answers or plagiarize. In fact, I got a 5 on the APUSH test. What I actually did was let someone else copy my homework, and I was caught doing so. Of course, as a result of getting slammed for cheating, I learned many things about integrity and the likes.

My question is this: If I write about how this experience had changed my life, and how it made me who I am today, would it be detrimental to my application in that I would admit that I have cheated once in high school?

alansda · 07-06-2008, 01:01 AM

Just so you know, the UCs can't know if you cheated or not while in high school, as the only record of high school will be your transcript (for some UCs that require it)

Ektaylor · 07-06-2008, 01:08 AM

I would not write about it -- the whole "turn your negatives into positives" may work in some situations outside of academic integrity, but for your situation it may be more telling than you may want it to be.

Try to highlight a positive, not a negative.

itchy23 · 07-06-2008, 02:46 PM

dont do it! they will just hold it against you. especially since the subject involves cheating. i think that word is something admissions people are extremely leery of, even though your situation isn't as bad as some cheating scenarios. You have to look at the admissions people like you would a police officer who has just read you your miranda rights, "Anything you say can AND WILL be used against you."

l84ad8 · 07-06-2008, 04:25 PM

If your college app does not ask for any history or record of misconduct, do NOT bring this up. If they ask, you will have to disclose (better talk with the Dean of Admissions, explain your situation, and follow up with a formal letter). If you fail to disclose when asked you will likely be committing fraud.

jk_91 · 07-06-2008, 04:45 PM

Everyone in my APUSH class cheated off each other's homework, and it wasn't really a big deal. I think my teacher knew but didn't even care unless it was clear and blatant cheating.

As for your situation, I would definitely not mention it. I don't think you'd be breaking any rules by doing this unless they specifically ask you for any record of misconduct like that.

Ektaylor · 07-06-2008, 04:50 PM

When you got caught, were you sent through the school administration, or did the teacher just give you a 'slap on the wrist,' so to speak?

SFV2008 · 07-06-2008, 06:16 PM

NO!!!! Holy crap, do NOT mention it at all!!! Holy Jebus!! Why would even THINK about mentioning it!???

Just don't!

alansda · 07-06-2008, 07:09 PM

Would you mention to your new girlfriend that you cheated in your previous relationship, but the experience changed your life and made you who you are today?

jk_91 · 07-06-2008, 07:12 PM

Lol, excellent point.

cooldude6 · 07-06-2008, 08:51 PM

I hate to go against everyone, but if it was a life changing event that changed you for the better, I say use it.

xleper17 · 07-06-2008, 08:57 PM

lol, alansada, good example but it works just like the current situation.

Some will think, "once a cheater, always a cheater."

others girls would be touched and think that "this time it's different, he's going out with me."

l84ad8 · 07-06-2008, 09:24 PM

"this time it's different, he's going out with me."

Sorry to burst your bubble. Even though a lot of adcom members are female, they are not that stupid.

xleper17 · 07-06-2008, 09:32 PM

some girls still think that they can "fix" their guy. so yes, some girls are that stupid.

SFV2008 · 07-06-2008, 09:45 PM

9 out of 10 dentists agree! DON'T MENTION IT!!