How to Proceed w/Admissions Mistake?

jonri
Thu, 29 Nov 2012 11:15:06 +0000

I think there is very little likelihood that the OP can get admitted to a “top” law school any time soon. There is also very little chance that OP will be admitted to the bar until at least 8 years or so years elapse from whenever (s)he straightens out the underlying issue. I respectfully suggest that the OP consider a different career, at least for now.

I don’t think anyone is going to buy the argument that being bi-polar is what caused the OP to lie to the third college and omit the fact (s)he had attended college #2. Yes, being bi-polar can explain bad grades. But is the OP claiming that (s)he had no idea of what (s)he was doing when he failed to tell college 3 about college 2? That is what this language suggests:



Being clear-headed now, I understand that what I did can likely be classified as fraudulent admission

If that is in fact the case and a psychiatrist will explain that to college 3 and the bar’s character and fitness committee, then I take back the statement above. However, I think the OP lied while knowing full well that (s)he was doing so. If that’s the case, then I think a character and fitness committee will deny him/her admission, at least until a # of years have elapsed.In any event, if the OP does apply to law school or the bar,
and knew that (s)he was lying when (s)he failed to disclose attendance at college B to college C, I would avoid statements like this because it sure doesn’t sound as if the OP is the least bit contrite.

It’s also going to be hard to get into a “top” law school without counting the grades from college B. If they were bad enough to get the OP dismissed, his/her cumulative GPA is unlikely to be high enough to get into a “top” law school.

Now, this doesn’t mean I think OP should give up the idea of going to law school forever, if that’s what (s)he really wants to do. I think (s)he should consult an attorney not only to find out whether there’s some way to report him-/herself to college C now and mitigate the damage of reporting that (s)he applied under false pretenses, but also because if there is any question on the FAFSA or any other financial aid forms about prior colleges attended and OP lied, (s)he may have committed a crime and I doubt the statute of limitations has run on that. (S)he may have to step forward and admit that (s)he committed perjury if (s)he did in fact do so. I don’t know much about this…and think the OP needs to see an attorney who does. I do think if (s)he lied when (s)he applied for fin aid at college C, there’s a chance (s)he will be denied aid for law school.

Thus I would suggest that OP wait at least a few years before applying to law school. If OP applies immediately, I suspect that both law schools and bar character and fitness committees will conclude that (s)he ONLY came forward and told the truth because (s)he was afraid of getting caught when (s)he applied to law school. If some time elapses, and OP has no further problems, I think his/her chances of getting through character and fitness will improve.

I know this is not what OP wants to hear. I know of 3 people with felony convictions–a much worse situation that this–who were admitted to law school. 1 is still in school. 1 tried and failed to get admitted to the bar after spending 3 years and $150,000 on law school in the mistaken belief that if he disclosed everything when applying to law school and got in that meant he could get admitted to the bar. The third was admitted and is now a partner in a top firm. He took 3 bar exams, passed all of them and applied for admission. 2 of the 3 states denied him admission. One let him in.