<p>Can one question end my dream of Cornell? I’m a 27 year old nontraditional student seeking transfer to Cornell. In my early post high school days I made many poor decision. One of which ended with a misdemeanor conviction for petit larceny. I was careless, reckless and had little hope for a bright future. Eye opening life experiences came with my responsibility as “primary care giver” for my mother after a bout with cancer and a bone marrow transplant that left her incompacitated. Since returning to school I have received all 4.0’s (4 semesters running), am Vice-President of Student Government at my current institution, was President of our International Business Honor Society, and am in all honors classes.<br>
With much of my transfer app done I sit here, terrified. I was thinking about lying, hoping they won’t do a background check but I don’t want to be deceitful. I also don’t want to be discarded over something that happened 8 years ago and that I have worked very hard to make amends for.
Please help me, I am at a loss.</p>
<p>Don’t they ask you for an explanation if you have a record? If so, just explain. I don’t think a decent person or college would hold it against you when you’ve demonstrated that you’ve changed. Good luck man.</p>
<p>Don’t lie, just be honest and explain yourself on the application. You appear to have worked incredibly hard at turning your life around and dealing with your situation, if anything it’s commendable, not something to look down upon. Good luck with everything =]</p>
<p>I really don’t want to lie at all. Getting in trouble like that was one in a series of events that made me think about how important making the most out of life is. It was a hard few years and I’d just as soon not hide them. Let Cornell see where I came from and what I am today. I just wish I knew whether or not my app will go straight to the “out box” once they see the misdemeanor area checked?</p>
<p>Why don’t you consider talking with someone in the admissions office of the college to which you’re applying? Those of us on CC can only speculate as to how the admissions office will handle your situation.</p>
<p>I don’t think Cornell is a school like that, it’d surely go against the mission statement. In fact, I think turning your life around is commendable and impressive. I think adcoms can appreciate something like that. You can also write a great essay based on this…</p>
<p>But yeah, just give it a shot. You won’t know if you don’t try, and the possibility of getting in without applying is 0%.</p>
<p>any person…any study, speak to that in your essays</p>