Will my dismissal affect me?

Applying to College
1

Hello, I am rising junior that attends a college preparatory school in new england, though I am on good track academically and athletically to get into a prestigious college, I was dismissed from another elite college preparatory boarding school my freshman year and this has lingered in my mind on how much impact it will hold on my college application.

As a rising junior, I will be taking 3-4 AP courses and I plan to challenge myself as much as I can academically in the institution I am currently in right now, Athletically I am on good track to play Division 3 basketball or become a preferred walk on to a high academic D1 program in united states according to my coaches. My coaches tell me that what happened my freshman year does not hold much impact to what type of colleges I can apply.

As a basketball player, I have been exposed to the use of the n word commonly, from phrases in music to coaches yelling at me when I make a mistake. I am of asian American descent and prior to my freshman year it seemed ok to say it as an asian in california, where I lived before going to college prepatory boarding school. I never have said it with intention to attack somebody, it was a way to say bro or buddy… Once I entered college preparatory school a and was part of the basketball team and the community, no one seemed to have an issue of me saying it as they also called the derogatory term for asians “chink” to me, I was totally fine with it at the time, but it was a form of language that was spoken among the basketball team, I did not say the n-word to anybody else.

Things all went downhill of the middle of the season when one of the players on the team got in trouble for something quite serious and his method to lessen his punishment is to tell them about how he felt concerned about the language I was using. I instantly got in some serious trouble and when I explained to them that it was not used in a way to attack someone, they refused to accept this reason, I knew it was wrong but it was never my intention to hurt somebodies feelings about it, the dean of students understood my reasoning, but the head of school did not. Ultimately we had a judiciary committee meeting and the decision was that I was to be dismissed, but it was a very controversial decision as many people were upset and felt the punishment was too harsh. I was well liked among the community at this school, and I had solid grades.

After that situation happened I was offered to go to a college preparatory school, where the academics was above average, but the basketball program was very good. With no other options I had to agree and enroll to that school next fall, finishing my second semester at public school in California. I had conversations with people that work in other preparatory schools and they felt that the punishment was rather hard. But I feel like there hasnt been somebody similar to me in a position like this before. an Asian American with a slightly crooked past… lol

I obvioulsly regret what I have done and I have moved on and have grown as a person and matured. high school and aau coaches constantly tell me that it is fine but I want some insight from somebody else on this topic other than coaches and my family members. If I continue to maintain a high gpa, and somewhat improve athletically, what are my chances to go to a school ranked top 40 for academics?

2

Hopefully you have had no issues with this since then and given that you were young and have had no issues you might be okay.

But for a cautionary tale read about Kyle Kashuv who got his Harvard acceptance rescinded when Harvard found out about his use of the N word.

3

Your guidance counselor at your private HS should be able to give you the best information.

4

I think you need to consider how you describe the situation. Your description is passive, sounds like an excuse and even your user name “victim” signals you view this as an unfair event that happened to you rather than something you did.

If you present the situation in your app as you present it here your chances for admission will lie almost solely on just how good an athlete you are because selective schools are willing to overlook many issues to admit top athletes. If you’re just average excellent in basketball, you’ll need to make some major changes in how you view and present your expulsion to be a viable candidate for most top schools.

5

As an FYI, it’s never OK

Also never OK
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6y5hLlXnAOQ

If you do not into the college of your choice, I doubt that it will be because of your past, assuming you have learned from it and continue to grow.

That said, there are several phrases that need to be deleted from your repertoire right now. The first two I quoted above. Additionally:

It is what it is. You’ll gain no traction by continuing to feel this way. Also,

Not only is this not an excuse, you would be incorrect.

So while it may not impact you if you show growth, I’m not seeing it yet. Admittedly, we just get a small glimpse into your life, but it seems you are still making excuses. And your choice of username does you no favors here.

He had many issues beyond that, but for me, his “explanation” lacked the sense of growth that Harvard wanted to see, and that led to his admission being rescinded. IMO, of course.

Good luck.

6

Or maybe he really didn’t like it?

“I used this language thinking I was just ‘one of the guys’ and I was horrified to learn that the words I was using to fit in were hurtful to my team members” would have been a better way to go. If you felt that way.

7

Practice this: “it is NEVER OK to use racially derogatory terms. I was wrong to use them, and apologize unconditionally to anybody who was hurt by my use of the terms. I understand that my dismissal from my previous school was a direct consequence of my own actions, and this has taught me an important life lesson. I am pledging my time to actions to reduce the use of racially insensitive terms and images”. Then actually do something that demonstrates that you think that what you did was wrong.

What you should not be doing is claiming that it was OK because you thought it was OK, or that it was OK, because people used racists epithets against you, or that it was bad, but not THAT bad, because some people though that your punishment was an overreaction, etc.

As long as you keep on with your present attitude, this may very well come back to bite you.

8

I’ve got a good imagination but am still unclear what you said, which epithet(s.) No need to clarify.

So you were dismissed in freshman year? Long time ago. The central question now is what have you learned, how have you worked to forge relationships and the dignity of others and how can you show that (not just say it?)

A question on the Common App asks about disciplinary actions and for a quick explanation. Find the right, mature ways to explain. But seriously, do something for others that does show you get it, in the ways tippy tops want to see. Action.