<p>Don’t know about UC. The question as to other schools is if it is in his high school record from where he is. If not he can decide whether he addresses it in his applications. I believe that Brown or some similar schools do have a question as to whether you have ever been suspended or had other disciplinary action at school. What would he answer to that? Sometimes overcoming and learning from something like this can be actually be a character builder rather than a flaw, and the whole picture can be taken into consideration. (those sappy stories re inner city kid who was in Juevie and went on to MIT really do happen.)
His college guidance counselor would be the one he should go to and ask about what is in his “folder” that will be difficult for him with applications. (He can ask open ended like that if he has concerns.)</p>