<p>Hello all, I’m in a crossroads of sorts, I’m 31 years old and nearly done with the community college stage in my academic career. About six years ago i commit identity theft, and it was my only offense. I started going back to college after a 10 year absence in 2011, since then i have earned A’s and B’s and maintained a semester GPA of 3.6 with a cum GPA of 3.195. I have to transfer to a university and wanted to know my chance of getting in with such a lackluster academic history, and i question if i should tell of my past criminal record, schools say that they consider the whole, but with such competition would they admit a felon over a non-felon. any ideas of what i should do???</p>
<p>GPA: 3.19
Extracurricular activities: 4yrs of volunteer work at non profit garner toward senior citizens community
College Credits: 60+</p>
<p>John, certainly you’re to be commended for turning things around, whatever may happen with your future college aspirations. </p>
<p>I’m only guessing here, but I would not be surprised if UChicago adcom thought a convicted felon or two, especially if they’ve done time, would add some useful leavening to the overall makeup of a class. Apologies if my tone is coming across as flip. I am being serious. This was actually the case when I was in college (many years ago) and had an older classmate who had been a Black Panther, convicted of 2nd degree murder as a teenager.</p>
<p>In other words, it is just possible that your past may be of some advantage in your application. In any event, it’s not something you can or should hide. That said, your academic record, while good, would make UChicago a real stretch. I’m not trying to be discouraging. Every year UChicago accepts some students who, on paper, don’t appear to have the credentials. Go for it if, having researched the university, you truly want it, but be sure to apply as well to schools that aren’t a reach. It’s very possible that some schools have policies about accepting convicted felons, and since you aren’t going to conceal that fact (it would not be ethical to do so, not to mention that it would mean falsifying your application), you should try where possible to confront the issue point blank. A candid conversation, if you can engage someone in Admissions, can only be to your benefit, and you will know where you stand before committing effort and application fees.</p>