<p>I was just checking the admissions FAQ for a variety of schools, and a couple of them had an FAQ about “why are you asking for any history of moving violations?” with the answer that the committees are interested in a pattern of reckless behavior. UC actually says “One speeding ticket typically does not draw the concern of the Committee, unless it was for excessive speed or if in that situation there might have been the possibility of danger to the student and/or others.”</p>
<p>This kind of freaks me out. I got a 62mph in a 35 a few months after I got my license. Does this count as excessive? Have other people run into problems with this? I got the ticket back in October of 2003, and haven’t gotten another one since then, so will that help? Will the ticket even be on my record when I apply (I’m applying starting this summer)?</p>
<p>Whether it’s still on your record would vary by state but usually the last 2-3 years are what employers (and I’d assume adcoms) are looking for. I would definitely say, though, that 62 in a 35 is pretty excessive – it’s almost doubling the speed limit (which is a felony is some states). Since they’re looking for a pattern of behavior, this would simply be a red flag that would make them look for other similar cases of reckless, impulsive, or dangerous behavior.</p>
<p>Edit: Following the reasons they gave you, 62 in a 35 is most definitely dangerous to others, since a road with a speed limit of 35 could have poorly marked ped crossings, unexpected turns (i.e., downtown somewhere), and people trying to jaywalk (especially at less busy times, where they aren’t expected someone roaring along at 62 mph to come over the horizon)</p>
<p>It won’t be a big deal. Secondaries asks for offenses other than moving violations. Did you only get a ticket for that speeding incident? 62 in a 35 is very excessive.</p>
<p>Yea, there were extenuating circumstances (the road is actually a country highway that they drop to a 35 for no good reason) and the judge let me off with only court costs (in Ohio you have to go to court if you’re under 18 and get a moving violation). As far as the court is concerned the entire thing cost me $23 with no loss of driving privileges or anything (I did have to plead guilty though). As far as my dad was concerned though, that’s a whole different story…</p>
<p>“Extenuating circumstances” usually means something along the lines of, “Somebody in the car was in labor and needed to get to the hospital.” “The speed limit is stupid” is not an extenuating circumstance.</p>
<p>I mean, if the judge agreed with me enough that he let me off the hook without giving that county’s police department any money for the 1/2 hour they spent pulling me over (although I still had to pay the court costs ie. the judge and his support staff for their trouble in deciding this) doesn’t that kind of indicate that there were extenuating circumstances? I don’t know, moot point. Real question is, will this hurt me or even still be on my record?</p>