Psych Grad with record

Seifer
Wed, 08 Jan 2014 01:10:17 +0000

Not sure how much of this has been addressed, but I didnt see much via the search.

I am 35, undergrad, double major psych/soc, 3.95 gpa (90 credits down, 2 loaded semesters left due to double major plus my current one).
My practice GRE’s have scored me at 159 verbal and 151 quant (I know this has to come up, im working on it)
I am a regular volunteer for a large, nationally recognized non-profit. I have over 6 years of service with them, as well as lots of extra curriculars at school.
My writing is very good, so I am not worried about any essays and such.
Currently on a research project with a professor at my school in social psych, he wrote the text book used by many schools, and his recommendation is set. I wont be published on the research, but Ive been a part of it for a while now (7+ independant research credits.)

I think I have an almost guaranteed spot at my current school’s graduate program, but it is a research PhD. I want to go clinical, PsyD. I am interested in addiction and counseling, and while I intend to do research, I want to be on the frontlines, so to speak. This ties into my problem:
When younger, 15 years ago, I was convicted of several felonies from several different cases for drug related offenses (so no sealing or expunging). I served prison time for them. I wish it ended there, however back in 2004 I was arrested again for some misdemeanors and one felony that was later reduced. I was, and am, an addict. I have been clean for a long while, and this is what drives me towards wanting to help others with their problem, and discover more about addiction and the ways it can be treated. But I digress from the true point of my post:
Has anyone seen, or heard of, any Ivy Legue graduate students that are convicted felons? While I have had my rights restored, and in the eyes of the law I am once again a full citizen (and have been for years), in this digital age, there are no more “arrested in the past X years…” questions. They want to know if youve EVER been arrested.
I have tons of character references, from high ranking military and law enforcement (related to my volunteer work) to multiple professors at my current uni with intimate knowledge of my character, my work, and my dedication to academia.

I never give up hope. My entire life has been spent convincing others that while I am a felon, I am not an animal. I am a human, just like everyone else, that happens to have been mixed up with drugs during my young, impressionable days. I have done my time, but a felony conviction is the gift that keeps on giving. As such, I have had to let my academic performance speak for me in the form of stellar grades and lots of meaningful extracurricular activities (leadership and honor societies with executive positions, school ambassador, etc). However, if an Ivy League grad student with a criminal record is something that is unheard of, I would prefer to not hold onto something unattainable, and rather focus my energy on what can be accomplished. Advice? Comments? Rage? Anything is welcome.