<p>How does an infraction of the honor code (cheating, fabrication, plaigarism, etc.) affect a student, for admissions purposes, to a graduate/professional school--particularly law school?</p>
<p>I went through a rough, spring semester that I'll never forget; in a nutshell, my statistics professor accused me of cheating on an exam, there was an investigation, a dreadful hearing, and then an acquittal. </p>
<p>I ask because, in the event I could have been convicted for dishonor, it would be noted on my academic records permanently. How does that affect an applicant for admission to a top school such as Duke, Gtown, Columbia, etc?</p>
<p>I will point out two things for you to consider:</p>
<p>First, your law school application will indeed be filed with the bar of most states when you apply for admission to the bar after you graduate from law school. Lying on your law school application or later lying on your bar application can be grounds for denying you admission to the bar. In addition, honestly is always in your best interest when you are applying to law school, since any untruths on your law school application can be the basis for dismissal from law school. Furthermore, academic transgressions often show up in your transcript and/or dean's letter that will be submitted with your law school applications (check with your college for details pertaining to your situation). Therefore, I would be completely forthcoming and honest in your law school applications and discuss the charges against you and your acquittal honestly, to the extent that your law school applications ask questions that would require you to discuss your situation.</p>
<p>Second, most law schools do ask questions about academic integrity, among other things. The 2006-2007 Harvard Law School application, for example, asks, among other things, for yes or no answers to the following:</p>
<p>In an academic setting, have you been subject to disciplinary sanctions, or are charges pending?
Have you ever been expelled, suspended, placed on probation, or given an academic warning?</p>
<p>You will have to determine how to honestly answer those or simlar questions.</p>
<p>Are you saying that it is on your permanent record that you were charged? If you were charged with something and acquitted and there is no record, then there is no reason for it to ever come up. If you had been convicted, then I'm sure it would affect admission into any law school.</p>