Shameful Suspension = Personal Statement???

Graduate School Law School
1

<p>I will be applying during next year’s application cycle and I am concerned with a suspension I had in 9th grade. I have looked at numerous law school applications since each school’s policy is different regarding prior disciplinary action. Some schools only require applicants to disclose post-high school misconduct, while other schools want full disclosure of any disciplinary action at any school with a written explanation. It seems ridiculous to be concerned about something that happened so long ago, but I am embarrassed and concerned with how I would explain this.</p>

<p>My situation: when I was fifteen I was suspended from my junior high for two days for harassment. The official term (harassment) is vague, but it was basically racial harassment. I was in a leadership class, which was supposedly the best and brightest students, and we were preparing gift baskets to send to needy areas of Mexico. When someone suggested hygiene supplies like toothpaste, soap, and deodorant, I responded, “Mexicans don’t wear deodorant.” Yes, this is offensive, I know. I have since learned the error of my ways. Most of the class was offended, especially the teacher who happened to be Hispanic, but I remember a lot of kids thinking it was hilarious. After all, I said it to get laughs… and because I was an ignorant, insensitive idiot. </p>

<p>Anyway, I am extremely embarrassed and ashamed by this part of my past. It is hard for me to even write this honestly about it. This was truly a turning point in my life. I have thought about somehow using this experience as a springboard for my personal statement (especially if I have to disclose the suspension anyway), but I have no idea how I could incorporate something so repulsive about my (prior) character. </p>

<p>The reason I think it could work is because it highlights the widespread racism in the community I grew up in (since my ignorant attitudes were supported by many people) and it brings to light my attitudes toward my own ethnicity. I am 1/4 Native American and my mother is ½ Native, but she was adopted by a white family as a baby. I grew up in a white community and was generally accepted by others, but I was also exposed to a lot of racism, mostly toward Mexicans. People often thought I was Mexican, which caused me to resent my Native American heritage given people’s intolerance of Mexicans in my community.</p>

<p>Long story short, I am not racist. I have gone on numerous service missions to South America and I speak Spanish and Portuguese well. I am an avid book collector and the bulk of my first editions are Latin American writers. I have fully embraced my Native American heritage, which has taught me a lot about myself and how our environment influences our beliefs. This all makes sense in my head, but it is extremely complicated to pass this on to you or an admissions committee. </p>

<p>What are your thoughts on all this? Please respond… be honest.</p>

2

<p>I wouldn’t write this as my personal statement.<br>
a) it happened in 9th grade. Law school admissions committees don’t care much about what you did when you were 14, whether it’s competing in the olympics, being told “you love to argue–you should totally be a lawyer!” or making much-regretted racist comments.</p>

<p>b) you look like you’re apologizing too much, or exploiting your previous racist comment for potential gain. </p>

<p>If I were in your shoes, I would not disclose the offense unless specifically asked (if you’re not sure, call the school–you don’t even have to give your name–and ask if disciplinary action in high school needs to be reported). If you do have to disclose it, I would make it as short as possible, something along the lines of “When I was in 9th grade, one comment I made in class was construed as harassment. I apologized for this comment and completed my punishment; I regret my actions and have certainly learned from the experience.” </p>

<p>I DO think it’s a good idea to write an essay about your racial background. Most schools would love to have more Native American students, as well as those who are bilingual. But I would leave any question of your own racism out of it. Focus on these sentences from your post:</p>

<p>I am 1/4 Native American and my mother is ? Native, but she was adopted by a white family as a baby. I grew up in a white community and was generally accepted by others, but I was also exposed to a lot of racism, mostly toward Mexicans. People often thought I was Mexican, which caused me to resent my Native American heritage given people’s intolerance of Mexicans in my community. [However, over time my opinions have changed.] I have gone on numerous service missions to South America and I speak Spanish and Portuguese well. I am an avid book collector and the bulk of my first editions are Latin American writers. I have fully embraced my Native American heritage, which has taught me a lot about myself and how our environment influences our beliefs. [If you plan to do environmental law, or if there is a way that your trilingualism will benefit you in your future career, now’s the time to tie it in!]</p>

<p>good luck.</p>

3

<p>If you have to disclose it, I would probably state that “I was suspended for two days in the ninth grade for making an inappropriate joke in class,” and leave it at that.</p>

4

<p>I would disclose it. You know they can bar you from the taking the bar or take away your liscence if they find out you lied on your law school application. It could render your degree useless. </p>

<p>The probability of that happening is so tiny , i know that. But all i am saying is that ETHICALLY, you should disclose it on your application. And i would write what Greybeard said… that sounds perfect.</p>

5

<p>Of course you should disclose it if asked, although I don’t think anybody asks about high school suspensions.</p>

<p>The question is whether you should write about this in your personal statement, which I think is clearly a bad idea. Hopefully, this is not the best reason you can think of for a law school to admit you.</p>

6

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<p>Ok, you asked for it. Are you sure you are not too sensitive to be a lawyer? </p>

<p>Practicing law often involves real and severe conflict. If you spend too much of your time worrying about what others think of you, you will not likely aggressively represent your client. That means you will be a rotten lawyer. </p>

<p>You made a stupid statement while you were a 9th grader. They were just words. You recognized your mistake. It was time to move on a short time after you made the statement.</p>

<p>If you practice law, you will likely have many horrible terms used to describe you personally. You will have to be able to ignore them and do a good job anyway.</p>

7

<p>Greybeard has the right answer here.</p>