can this be done?

Graduate School
1

<p>Let's say someone were to have decent (or even good) undergrad grades and were to go on for a master's degree at another school and were to not do so well on that. In essence, the person basically "messes up" on the degree, but does manage to complete it. A couple of years later, with renewed determination, he decides to go on for another master's degree in a different field and has reason to believe he can do better this time. However, he's worried that his poor performance on that first master's degree will be a hindrance, so he doesn't list it on his application and doesn't send in his transcripts from that school. Is that legal? Could that result in trouble, and if so, what kind?</p>

<p>(I'm just wondering. I'm hoping that won't be the case with me. I do, however, have a friend who "hid" the fact that he ever attended a certain school because of poor grades, though he was at that school for a long time. He got into another school without questions ever being raised.)</p>

2

<p>Although it isn't illegal, in the sense that you won,t get arrested for it, it's probably against the rules of most schools you will be applying to, which usually demand transcripts for all post high school (collegiate) institutions.</p>

3

<p>Yes, you could get in trouble. If another school admits you, and then finds out that you omitted this information, they could rescind your admission. Ways they'd find out? If any credits were transferred anywhere and it's mentioned on a transcript, they'll know. If any of your recommenders mention your masters degree, they'll call you up asking about it. If (god forbid) any of the professors there used to work at the school you got the previous masters from, they may remember. If you got anything published while you were in that masters program, there's a good chance they'll find out.</p>

4

<p>There was a posting similar to this awhile back - mid-thread the person posted that the school had found out. Schools somehow have ways of finding this out (GRE records, transfer credits, FAFSA apps, etc.). It doesn't seem worth it to me.</p>

5

<p>What do you mean by poor grades? From what I understand, many Masters programs require that you have at least a 3.0 to graduate.</p>