<p>Hi All -
Earlier this year, i was caught cheating on my Biology final exam. The school decided, thankfully, that I would not be suspended or expelled, but only that I would receive a 0 on the final exam. That was the only disciplinary action taken. I have two questions:</p>
<p>First of all, would I need to say yes to the question on the Common App? I was not suspended, but i don't know if I should include it or not. My GC knows this is totally out of character for me, and will not include it on his GC report if he is not told to by the administration. He is my biggest fan, to be honest. </p>
<p>Second, should i have to say yes, how much would this impact my chances for admission at top schools such as Amherst, or Williams? I am an exceptionally strong student, with an incredible record prior to this incident. I just slipped up, made a dumb mistake. I realize the severity of it, but i just hope it won't screw me any more than it already has. Thanks so much to anyone who answers.</p>
<p>Your guidance counselor would be the best person to talk to about this. I don’t want to give you wrong information.</p>
<p>Agree with above- ask your GC if this will appear on your transcript (as an infraction). If not, then I do not believe you need to list it.</p>
<p>@KeDIX1414 and @PsychoDad10 -
I will ask when the school year starts. However, i don’t believe it will be listed. The person who handled my hearing stressed that the only consequences would be just for the class, and it will not appear on my permanent record. The only thing that will happen is my grade in Biology will drop from an A- to a B-.</p>
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<p>Yeah, I believe that, LOL!.</p>
<p>Talk to the administrator who made the decision to do the zero instead of the suspension or expulsion. There was a reason they made that decision and it was likely because, despite your mistake, they do not want to let this have a long term effect on your college chances. Ask her/him what you should do in this situation.</p>
<p>As for effect on college applications, my opinion is that competitive colleges already have enough of a job trying to find reasons to weed out all the candidates who are all perfectly qualified for admission. Hand them a reason to reject you like academic dishonesty on a silver platter and you may as well have just wasted your application fee. Just my opinion.</p>
<p>In passing, I know of a student from many years ago who had already been accepted to their first choice college. There was a disciplinary infraction and in-school suspension subsequent to that. The student’s enrollment papers had specified that the university was to be notified of all disciplinary events following the acceptance of admission. The guidance counselor and school told the student it was unnecessary but the student insisted it was the right thing to do, plus they were afraid if they didn’t, an envious peer who was not admitted might inform the university anyway. The student admitted the infraction and their acceptance was indeed rescinded in exchange for that honesty.</p>
<p>Follow the recommendations of your administrators and good luck.</p>