<p>Hello All,
I know there are already some posts regarding the issue, but since my case is kind of special I will start a new thread. </p>
<p>I’m currently a sophomore studying at an international school in Hong Kong. I went to a highly selective prep school in east coast last year, but was not invited back (meaning not provided re-enrollment contract) at the end of last year because of misbehavior such as missing breakfasts, sleeping in chapel, being late to class. My school was relatively strict and they treat these matters very seriously. I wouldn’t go into too much details but I do feel remorse for the bad judgments that I had last year. I was, however, in a good academic standing throughout the year (Honor Roll).</p>
<p>I applied to some other prep schools during last summer but was not accepted to anywhere as the time was so late. Therefore I came back to an international school in Hong Kong. I do feel a substantial difference of the education quality at my current school and decided to reapply to some elite prep schools this year. Although I applied with great recommendations and academic achievements this year as a repeat sophomore (3 APs as a sophomore, lots of extracurricular), I was waitlisted for most of the schools given the competition between Asians. </p>
<p>This week I was, however, accused of fabricating sick notes in order to authorize my absences, and this resulted in a two-day suspension. I did not handle the sick notes myself and I did in fact go to the hospitals. I wouldn’t go into details now but I’m deeply regretful and concerned as this is my second significant mistake. My high school principal said it will stay on the permanent attendance record, but he was in great shock as well because I’m one of the best in my class. He also told me there are students who were suspended in their underclassmen years getting into great colleges in our school. </p>
<p>I’m very very devastated now…I’m not trying to find any excuse and I realize I often make bad judgments because of the wrong value system. I’m trying my very best to change my behavior but always get into some sort of troubles subconsciously. My goal was to get into a top-tier college but it just seems impossible now given the repetitive nature of my misconduct.</p>
<p>I’d really like to know some honest, and helpful responses on what should I do in the next 2, or possibly 3 years if I get off the waitlist, in order to increase my chance of going to a fairly good college. Thank you for reading and any input would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>If you went to the hospital, there would be a record of that, right? Could you provide documentation of your hospital stay as proof that you were indeed sick?</p>
<p>Maybe something is lost in translation, but I don’t know what you mean by the repetitive nature of your misconduct.</p>
<p>Instead of copying all the doctor’s notes, I copied one and changed it with Photoshop which was efficient but incredibly silly. I’m sorry for making that unclear, that means I kept making mistakes.</p>
<p>I’m not sure I understand your question. Are you asking whether colleges will care about your ‘behavioral suspensions’ or the prep schools you have applied to? I fit’s the colleges you are concerned about, is there anything on the record from the US prep school? If no, there’s no need to explain. If the current infraction from your school is on the permanent record, ask your counselor or principal to explain what it referred to when you apply to college. If the next 2 years are without any incident, you should be fine. Just make sure not to do anything stupid in the future.</p>
<p>I have a kid who had some incidents in prep schools and “changed” schools several times. It is key to have a strong, uneventful junior year. You need to find a school that will take a chance on you and really toe the line. Altering a sick note shows dishonesty, which is NOT a trait that boarding schools want to reward by offering admission. IF (big IF) you can find a school that will admit you, you have plenty of time to remediate yourself. The new school will help you present yourself in the best possible light, but you are going to have to learn from your mistakes and not just be remorseful because you got caught! Trust me, I get it. My family has been there.<br>
There ARE some quality boarding schools that will take a chance in certain instances.</p>
<p>P.S. My kid attended an Ivy and graduated cum laude. His past transgressions were handled well and were not viewed as a deal-breaker by many very selective schools. None involved dishonesty, however.</p>
<p>You came to your current school after behavior problems and dis-invited to enroll at your respectable East coast prep school.</p>
<p>You continue to make your life difficult by doing sketchy activities hoping you can get away with fooling the administration.
Is your immaturity and lack of regard for authority some sort of rebellion or arrogance?
Your behaviors are not subconscious, you actively seek ways to torpedo your standing in schools.</p>
<p>Thank you all for replying, I appreciate it.
Beenthere 2 – I mean both. The record is not shown on the transcripts, but it is shown on the attendance record and report cards. I wonder if I have to report if by any chance, I get off the waitlist. Or If I need to report when applying to colleges…</p>
<p>Momo - I did go to a pretty strict prep school my freshman year, but experienced minor issues repetitively as I described above…And it actually had an honor code so I’m very ashamed of what I’ve done…Thank you very much and I would definitely be very careful on my behavior for the rest of my high school. </p>
<p>Batllo - That’s certainly true. I’ve skipped a grade before and I think I’m very arrogant (not gonna lie) because I often reach my academic goals with relatively mere efforts…I’ve tried to get away with the consequences (responsibility) by saying I made the mistake subconsciously, but yes I admit that I made conscious but bad decisions… Trust me I do not intentionally make mistakes in order to draw attentions. The problem is I do not think about the consequences before I make a decision, but realize the importance of the issue after it has happened…</p>
<p>After all, may I know what specifically should I do in order to look better in the eyes of AO? Should I stay at my current school or find another school either in HK or US? Thanks Again!</p>