Expelled from College...Next Steps?

Neonzeus
Mon, 22 Feb 2010 11:08:21 +0000

I was troubled by the fact that you seem to have very mixed feelings about your ethical lapse. While admitting you made a mistake, the punishment that others received is irrelevant. The fact that you stopped doing it is irrelevant. The facts that you were home-schooled or self-taught, and even that you were doing well in your own classes is irrelevant. The fact that you didn’t take the classes for which you wrote papers for other students is irrelevant. When and how you were caught is irrelevant.

The only relevant facts that you listed are that (1) you violated the rules of your school, as well as showing a lack of personal academic integrity, and (2) then tried to fight your way out of it. I also think its relevant that you are now questioning whether you might be able to hide this from future schools, which would mean failing to tell the truth about prior disciplinary action and academic courses on future applications. Do you see a really, really bad pattern here?

If you don’t tell the truth, you risk a second academic dismissal. While you may find a school that is willing to give you a second chance, I doubt that any school will give you a third chance.

I suggest that you consider smaller colleges, and perhaps schools with religious affiliations who may be willing to work with you. You should meet with the admissions offices whenever possible, and let them see that you’ve learned important lessons and have matured. If you are truly apologetic and can show that you see what you did wrong, I believe you will be given the opportunity to continue your education beyond the CC. Your mistake may, however, need to be explained again and again in the future depending on your career goals and whether licensing boards may review your academic and disciplinary background. Mistakes have consequences. It doesn’t mean that you can’t succeed in life because of one mistake, but it will make your path in life a little bumpier than if this had not happened.