I got suspended for drinking early in my senior year and I’m planning on putting it on my application. However what are everyones thoughts/opinions on schools evaluating merit aid for someone has a strong academic record (28 act, taken 7 ap classes, three honors) many extracurriculars (manny clubs, varsity sports, with leadership positions) but also has a suspension.
My school doesn’t report disciplinary record to the college so its up to me wether or not to report it.
And my GPA is 3.33
Im looking at St. Lawrence, Hobart, Loyola Maryland, Miami OH, Dayton, and Fairfield.
Do you feel that you have to report it?
I feel somewhat obliged to tell the truth, however I need good merit scholarships to attend these schools just due to my financial situation. I’m just wondering if you guys have any experience or opinion on this topic.
You should report this if you are still engaging in the behaviors that got you in trouble and are therefore a problem in waiting for the college to which you are applying.
If you learned your lesson, then I would not report it to the college unless the experience was uniquely impactful on your development as a potential student at the college in question.
Merit aid has nothing to due with your financial situation. That is need-based aid.
I have certainly learned my lesson, its been an awful experience and I have a well written explanation on what happened and how its effected me. But i’m relying a lot on merit aid.
On paper (FAFSA) my family is well off however we just don’t have enough set aside for college for other reasons, hence the reason I’m relying on merit aid.
The GPA and ACT might be low for merit aid.
You have another issue…if you are need financial aid based on low income, the schools that give the best aid are the HARDEST to get into. Having a suspension on your record would likely mean not getting into those schools.
Edit…
Just saw this…
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paper (FAFSA) my family is well off however we just don’t have enough set aside for college for other reasons, hence the reason I’m relying on merit aid.
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Your GPA and ACT are likely too low for merit scholarships.
You need to choose schools where those stats are high for the school.
What schools are on your list???
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St. Lawrence, Hobart, Loyola Maryland, Miami OH, Dayton, and Fairfield.
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I’m only familiar with a few of those schools. For many of them, your scores are not high enough for much/any merit. Certainly not enough to make a big dent in the cost of the school.
How much will your family pay each year???
For example, if your family can only pay $15k per year, then you need a school that will give you a full tuition scholarship. None of the schools on that list will give you even a half tuition scholarship for those stats.
Your suspension is only half of the problem. If you need a lot of merit, then you need a different list.
My family can pay around $45,000 a year.
How much merit aid do you need? Your ACT and GPA scores are not superior, but might garner you some aid at some of these schools…but not anything like a full ride…or even full tuition.
How much do you need? How much will your parents contribute?
what do you want to study and what is your home state? if family can pay around $45K/year, are they willing to do so? do they have any comments on where they think you would be a good fit?
your school doesn’t want to penalize you for the drinking suspension, I would only disclose it if prompted - but I don’t think prompting would take place. IDK if there is ever some kind of disclosure like they do on job applications, where you have to fess up.
I’d like to study econ/business, from NY. My family is willing to support me. They’d like to see me at a smaller sized school however I have some bigger/cheaper state schools on my list also.
The common app does ask about disciplinary history.
don’t offer the discipline information. not needed. you have learned from your mistake.
have you set foot on the various kinds of campuses to know more of what you are looking for beyond your study discipline?
perhaps others can provide some school choices with econ/business based on your stats. To me, if you are going OOS, be sure to evaluate the education value you can get at a private versus paying OOS for a public.
All posters, Unless wording has changed, the question as stated on the Common App is
“Have you ever been found responsible for a disciplinary violation at any educational institution you have attended from the 9th grade (or the international equivalent) forward, whether related to academic misconduct or behavioral misconduct, that resulted in a disciplinary action? These actions could include, but are not limited to: probation, suspension, removal, dismissal, or expulsion from the institution.”
The OP must answer truthfully. Many colleges will still be glad to have the OP as a student.
Not every school uses only the Common Application.
It would be hard for me to believe there isn’t a similar question on a school’s app. It is on the Universal College App.
https://www.universalcollegeapp.com/documents/uca-first-year.pdf