Arrested and rehab.

FCYTravis99
Tue, 27 Nov 2007 03:12:04 +0000

Do not hide any convictions on your app unless you are absolutely, positively certain that they have been expunged or sealed. If it ever comes out (i.e., you’re picked up on-campus for something trivial) you may be hosed.

The days when juvenile records were entirely sealed and expunged automatically upon turning 18 are over in many states. Your record may well show up in the FBI computer system.

Picture this: A campus cop stops you for speeding on campus. He runs your driver’s license and bang, your rap sheet comes up on his computer. If he’s the curious sort, he may check to see if you reported that conviction. If you didn’t, then you’ll get busted for lying on your application and bang, you’re out the door with an expulsion on your transcript. Needless to say, you won’t get your money back.

Call your prospective college’s admissions office and find out whether or not they want you to declare criminal adjudications/convictions which occurred before the age of 18. It’s way better to be safe than sorry.

I think a lot of college admissions people understand that kids make youthful mistakes and would take that into consideration when reviewing applications. Show that you’ve learned from it. But there’s no excusing a flat-out, willful lie on an admissions app - that’s showing immaturity and disrespect for academic integrity and the institution.