<p>Does academic dismissal at a previous college hurt your chances at a decent 4-year college if you're applying after say 4-5 yrs. If so, can students choose not to reveal that part in their applications. How do colleges find out if you've ever attended another college before you've applied to a new one?
I understand being honest in your applications will be appreciated. But do they forgive extenuating circumstances and look at the test scores and HS gpa [which are in top 10%] with glowing recommendations and consider the glitch [dismissal] as an aberration rather than a symptom?</p>
<p>It’s going to depend on the college, of course. If you had great potential out of high school, screwed up in college, then went out on our own for 4-5 years and have a record of advancement and success, then most places will probably figure that you’ve matured and are now ready for college.</p>
<p>It would be useful to make an appointment with a college admissions officer and discuss your record.</p>
<p>It depends on the reason for your academic dismissal. If the reason was low grades and you have a good excuse for your poor performance, your dismissal may be overlooked. If the reason was cheating, the dismissal would not be overlooked. </p>
<p>When you sign an application you are affirming that you have been honest on all parts of your application. If you lie and fail to disclose that you attended a college and were dismissed for academic reasons, if you are ever found out any degrees you earned will likely be rescinded and anyplace you had transcripts or other proof of graduation sent (i.e. employers) would be notified that your degree has been rescinded.</p>
<p>Unlike many other countries, in the US you get a 2nd and 3rd chance. A lot of people screw up one way or another, come back, and have great success. Colleges will want to see that you accept responsibility for what happened, don’t blame others, and can explain why now things will be different. The simple truth is that just because the calendar says you’re 18, not everyone is
ready for college.</p>
<p>Reading thru you post, I’m not clear whether you have attended a JC or taken other classes since that previous college. If all you have are glowing recs and scores from the HS era, I’m not sure if that will be as convincing as more current recs and classes.</p>
<p>Lastly, since it’s clear you’re thinking about lying when you come across the part of the app that says “list all previous schools and dates of attendance” and want to know if/how they can catch you, my advice is don’t try it. If you accept any financial aid it’s fraud and can lead to prosecution, the inability to get many types of jobs (anything requiring a security check or bond), etc. If they find out once you’re enrolled they can kick you out, and if they find out after you graduated they can revoke your diploma. If you think things are bad now, imagine being in your 30’s and applying for jobs without being able to say you’re a college grad (although I guess at that point you can go on lying and hope they don’t call the school to check). </p>
<p>You ask “how do colleges find out”; its really simple for a college to check. There is a company called the National Student Clearinghouse <a href=“National Student Clearinghouse |”>National Student Clearinghouse |; set up to provide exactly this information; they claim to have data on 91% of the US college student body. It’s routine at most colleges to check for various reasons; to see if you’re eligible for financial aid and how much you’ve already used, to catch students who “forget” to list a college, etc. They list as a sample use of their service detecting exactly the type of fraud you’re considering under their StudentTracker service, and it only costs 5 cents a student to check.</p>
<p>You’ve really got the wrong outlook here!! Being honest in your applications isn’t “appreciated” like it’s some sort of option left to your discretion. It’s required, you sign a promise that you’ve been truthful, and if you aren’t about this the odds are strong they’ll easily catch you.</p>
<p>Most colleges have special procedures for admitance for “older students”, many of which are parttime, who had lives for a number of years</p>
<p>So the process may be different, depending on your age</p>
<p>As an older student, not the fresh out of highschool type, I would work with someone at the school</p>
<p>So, just give the schools a call and ask…many school have programs like extended learning where you can take classes </p>
<p>Beleive me, being an older student, can’t imagine that they want those recommendation from your boss to take some classes</p>
<p>that would actually be pretty funny</p>
<p>And yes, they will forgive your past and all that, most schools want students and that is why they have programs for people going back to school after having left it for whatever reason- getting married, money, family crisis, jobs, whatever, so don’t be afraid to call up and ask how an older student applies</p>
<p>I mean, if you are 27, you think you SAT score is relelvant? hah</p>
<p>and you don’t need a record of advancement or success, that is ridiculous…you have people that had to work or take care of family or got married or whatever and decide, hey its time to go back to school, the college won’t care if you were a house cleaner or a bank executive in most cases, of if you were a slacker…most schools accept most applicants, and will give you a chance</p>
<p>and if you left for academic reasons, so what…happens all the time and people go back to college later with great success and get into colleges</p>
<p>SO be honest, go for it and talk to some one about your circumstances, if you just failed out, or whatever, it won’t wreck your chances of going to college again</p>
<p>All you have to say on your application is that you took classes, right? </p>
<p>Don’t worry, and even if it was for cheating, I would bet you that many schools with give you an second chance</p>
<p>Thanks to everyone who replied. The reasons I asked about it is that I wasn’t dismissed for cheating but rather was unable to attend school due to a major illness.And failure to write exams etc. lead them to dismiss me. And after that I took up a job instead to support myself. Now that I am financially stable I can actually think of a college education.
I was admitted to a top 50 school but I am not looking forward to such a school now [given my not-so-good college grades], rather a Doctoral 1 level public school. I did work with professors after I was dismissed [without enrolling since it wasn’t financially viable for me at the time] and hence got good recommendations.
I must admit I was scared intially to reveal my past to the new colleges as I thought they might think I am not college worthy..but I guess I really don’t have an option now and must go through the trials if I wanna go to college.</p>
<p>Don’t stress so much!!! You will get a college education!!!and your past is just fine…so don’t worry so much…just go talk to someone and I am sure it will work out fine</p>
<p>And just tell them what you told us, they aren’t ogres and will want to see you suceed!!</p>
<p>good luck, and I think it will work out fine</p>
<p>go in with confidence and pride for what you have gone through, and don’t be embarrased or ashamed, and you are college worthy</p>
<p>It is uncommon for schools to dismiss a student for illness related problems so you may want to check your transcript and verify the reason listed for your dismissal. If you disagree with your transcript you will then have an opportunity to address the discrepancy before you apply to other schools.</p>
<p>I know several people who failed out of a top school and went on to get good educations at decent publics or elsewhere. They took some time off, as you have done, but they didn’t seem to have problems getting admitted.</p>