<p>I would agree with Hazel. Instead of focusing on what school is going to ‘overlook’ personal conduct infractions I would pay close attention to that schools honor code and how they handle alcohol and drug infractions. In other words…fit. As Hazel points out UVa has an exceptionally strong honor code. When applying you need to think if this is the type of university community you are going to be comfortable in. Some find the ‘community of trust’ very comfortable. Others find the very harsh ramifications for honor violations extremely overbearing and prefer another environment. Neither is right or wrong, but you need to be aware this is very much a part of the culture at UVa and not taken lightly. </p>
<p>Also, some schools treat alcohol and drug infractions as a legal issue, others as a heath concern. You need to know the difference. On another schools forum a student had been suspended for what they reported as ‘a little weed’. The school is well known for their hard stance on drugs and treatment as a legal matter. If the student had done their homework this should have come as no surprise. If that was something they didn’t intend on giving up they should have chosen another university (preferably a state where it’s now legal).</p>
<p>When you’re looking at a single incident in a student’s record that’s one thing. When you are looking at repetitive behavior this may be an indication that the student finds a grey area and is likely to repeat in college. Choose your school wisely. Some are just more tolerant then others, or treat infractions on a graduated level, and it pays to do your homework.</p>
<p>For every single school my kids considere(r/d) I had them read the honor codes, drug and alcohol policies, dorm visitation policies, etc., which all vary drastically. None had ever had an infraction or issue with these, but a schools policies can indicate culture. I ask/ed them not to bother with a school where the culture was one that they found didn’t match with their own comfort zone.</p>