Advice for Previous Suspension... am I wasting my time applying? :'(

Transfer Students
1

<p>Hi everyone, I'm a long-time lurker here at CC and this is my very first post. I've used the search function many times hoping to find any threads relating to my situation but was unsuccessful. I apologize in advance for what might be a pretty long post.</p>

<p>So, I'll try to keep this short and to the point: I enrolled in a top 10 business undergrad program (think Ross, McIntire, Stern, Tepper, etc.) after graduating high school, but due to a very stupid mistake I made, I was given a disciplinary suspension near the end of my first semester of freshman year (as a result, I have 4 W's on my college transcript). I returned back home to California, took a couple classes at my local community college and worked full-time during the spring semester.</p>

<p>I then returned back to the university for the subsequent fall semester and did fairly well ending up with a 3.6 GPA. However, due to some major financial problems my parents were struggling with, I had to leave school once again (I had lost some scholarships because of the suspension, and we couldn't afford the tuition anymore) and came back home. At that point, we decided it would be best to transfer to a UC and still get a great education at a fraction of the cost, and now I am aiming to transfer into Haas (but will also apply to UCLA BizEcon, USC Marshall, and UC Irvine).</p>

<p>Needless to say, I am extremely regretful and disappointed in myself, but I am determined to get back up on my feet and work hard at CC to transfer into another top business program. I am currently maintaining a 4.0 GPA (taking 15 units, including 2 honors courses), working 30 hours a week in a paid internship at a CPA firm, serving as the VP of Finance for my CC's honors program advisory board, and planning to take on a heavy honors course load next semester and do anything else in my power to redeem myself and present an accurate reflection of my character and potential, despite the suspension. </p>

<p>I was hoping someone could offer any advice on how I can portray these unfortunate circumstances I've experienced and present them in the best light possible. My greatest concern is how the admissions officers will view the disciplinary suspension and the 4 W's on my transcript... I have been so stressed out about this and my past mistake has been haunting me daily. Does this completely ruin my chances of acceptance to Haas, or any other school for that matter? Do I have any hope or am I just wasting my time applying? Have you heard of any friends/peers in a similar situation that gained acceptance to a top UC? Lastly, is this something I should elaborate on in one of the personal statements, or is it better to explain in the Additional Comments section (e.g., extenuating circumstances)? </p>

<p>I would be extremely grateful and would really appreciate any advice. </p>

<p>Thanks in advance guys... I really hope I can find some positive news or even just an ounce of comfort would be nice. :'(</p>

2

<p>I think it probably depends on what it was you did. Something like underage drinking would be less serious than say, plagiarism.</p>

3

<p>Make a personal appointment with the transfer admissions officer at one of your target universities. Take all of your paperwork with you, and have a heart-to-heart conversation. You were able to return to your initial institution, which means that you should be in good standing with them. That counts for a lot, and the admissions officer should be able to advise you on how to best present the information.</p>

<p>As for running out of money, well that happens to everyone. Don’t worry about that one.</p>

4

<p>Thank you both for your responses.</p>

<p>Although I don’t want to get into too much detail, I can say it was definitely much less serious than plagiarism (which, as far as I know, usually results in expulsion).</p>

<p>Unfortunately, I live in SoCal while Berkeley is way up in NorCal so I won’t be able to make an in-person appointment. I guess I will have to obtain the contact information of Haas admissions officers and resort to email, and hope that they reply back with detailed guidance.</p>

<p>When you say “you should be in good standing with them,” are you implying that the admissions committee could call my previous university directly to verify the reasons why I was suspended as well as why I left the school? Are they even allowed to obtain that kind of confidential information without my consent?</p>

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<p>“In good standing” means that there is nothing in your record at that university that would prevent you from re-enrolling. You fulfilled their requirements and re-enrolled once already, you don’t have any unpaid bills, and you left in good academic standing. You should be perfectly OK.</p>

6

<p>Thanks for the clarification, happymomof1. I hope you’re right.</p>

<p>Does anyone know the answer to my questions above:</p>

<p>Can the admissions committee call my previous university directly to verify the reasons why I was suspended as well as why I left the school? Are they even allowed to obtain that kind of confidential information without my consent?</p>