Couple days ago, my really good friend was caught cheating on the bio midterm. And when I mean cheating, I mean bringing a cheat sheet with him during the exam. He got a 0 on the exam and phone calls to both his parents. However, he told me that he was not given any suspension, detention, dismissal, etc. In other words, cheated but no disciplinary actions.
There is a question on the common app that asks if he was ever found responsible for a academic or behavioral misconduct that RESULTED in a disciplinary action. Does this mean he does not have to check “yes” to that question?
Another question… is it safe to assume that the teacher did not write him up or report this incident because of that fact that he was not given any disciplinary actions?
Thank you so much! I know how hard working my friend is, and I know that this is the last time he will ever made a decision like this again. He is afraid to ask the GC for obvious reasons (doesn’t want to bring up any unnecessary trouble) and he would be grateful for any responses!
PS sorry if i sound like I am defending his actions, I am simply deeply concerned…
He (you) need to ask the teacher what happened for reporting and, if necessary, ask the GC if s/he will report it on the transcript.
He should ask his adviser, instead of asking friends to ask anonymous strangers on the Internet.
It sounds like a chat with the teacher is in order. How much does the midterm count toward the final grade? Is the zero likely to cause a failing grade in the course?
Tell “your friend:”
- Yes, it should be reported on the Common Application, notwithstanding ANYTHING else. Clearly it is blatant cheating and not to report it would simply be additional academic dishonesty.
- It does not matter if the teacher reported this illicit scholastic conduct; if s/he did, “your friend” will hear from a GC soon, if not “your friend” is still ethically obligated to self-report this on the Common App.
Disagree with Top Tier. Have your friend talk to his teacher and guidance counselor. They have been known to be merciful for one slip. He can ask them what he needs to do re his application. And if they say they are not going to bring it up, he shouldn’t either. This is one of those cases where, if mercy is shown, you take it and promise yourself never ever to be in this position again. (And remember that some day, someone else may need some grace.)
@N’s Mom (re #5): Therefore, YOU obviously condone academic dishonesty. If the GC and the teacher don’t want to make a formal issue of this unquestionable cheating, it is then okay to lie on the Common Application . . . and, in doing so, plainly to disadvantage ALL – probably, 95+ percent of the applicants – who honestly file their Common App.
Bad enough that we have a generation of students, some of whom cheat, endorse some academic dishonesty, or quasi-tolerate it. Now (based on your screen-name) we have a parent who says that the potentially unethical decisions of two so-called “educational professionals” are adequate justification to disregard a clearcut breach of academic integrity and to commit another one (not completing the Common App truthfully).
N’s Mom, I certainly appreciate mercy; HOWEVER, it has to be earned through repentance. Did you perceive even one word of remorse, contrition, or apology in the OP’s initial post? I certainly did not.
Moreover and CRITICALLY, it seems to me that you (and, potentially, the applicable GC and teacher) have entirely ignored ALL the kids who did not cheat on this exam . . . or on ANY other high school academics. If OP’s “friend” receives an “ethical pass” for unashamed academic deceitfulness (the initial post to this thread is unambiguous that a “cheat sheet” was utilized):
- What lesson does that that teach all the honest students?
- How fair is that to the all the honest students?
Also your friend was only caught a couple of days ago…it may take time for suspensions, etc to be decided on.
If the OP was talking about his friend (and it wasn’t actually him who cheated) we shouldn’t judge whether or not the cheater was remorseful, contrite, etc. We have no way of knowing.
Don’t report it if there isn’t an offical suspension or expulsion. Who cares about being ethical when your future is on the line.
@TV4caster (re #8): Come on, were you born yesterday, this “friend” is about as real as the tooth fairy or the Easter Bunny.
@qpqpqp (re #9): “Who cares about being ethical when your future is on the line.”
Truly pathetic.
In my opinion, the wording on the Common App takes the guesswork out of this. If your friend receives disciplinary action (detention, suspension etc.), then he is obligated to report it. If he does not, by the Common App’s own rules he doesn’t have to say anything. If he feels that he should say something anyway because that is in line with his moral compass, then he should check the box and include the obligatory explanation.
I’m not sure if it is wise to not talk to the GC. Is something about discipline included on the SSR? If there is, and your GC reports it while your friend doesn’t, you can be assured that your friend will probably not get into any college he applies to.
Hopefully your friend realizes that he made a poor decision and that he is being given a second chance. If a similar incident occurs, then all bets are off and I hope he is punished.
^ ^ ^ ^
@butterfreesnd (re # 12): Except, isn’t the ZERO already assessed on the exam a disciplinary action and, therefore, a mandatory Common App report?
It said to report academic misconduct that resulted in disciplinary action. Is a zero on the midterm not disciplinary action? If “your friend” was caught cheating and told to go right on ahead and finish the exam with the cheat sheet…then the case may be a bit different.
That being said, if there is no official record of this, and it will not be reported on applications in any way, then I’d take the mercy and keep it to myself. I’m sure “your friend” will take this as a valuable learning experience.
Top Tier, we will have to agree to disagree on this one. I am not insensitive to all those who didn’t cheat ever. (Or those who did and never got caught). But I can live with the idea that someone can make a mistake and not have to pay the price if those in charge are willing to look over his/her entire record and decide that this was an aberration. I am willing to trust the professional discretion of the teaching staff, who presumably know this person. Zero tolerance policies are too often blunt instruments that result in less rather than more justice.
@N’s Mom (re #15): I understand. However, zero tolerance/blunt instruments may serve as enhanced deterrents, simply because there are no exceptions and no discretionary alternatives available. We both know they are not a panacea, but they do have some real values for this reason.
It clearly states check if you received any disciplinary actions for cheating, that being said you click no because you got “away” with it… I had received an F on my second semester Chem grade that somehow did not appear on my transcript but in my GPA, take advantage of your situation and don’t listen to @TopTier who wants you to stay behind in life/ struggle in the college process
@ikooldiscovery (in #17): “who wants you to say behind in life/ struggle in the college process.”
You simple could not be more incorrect nor more ignorant of what I want – and hope – for the OP. I sincerely want the OP to succeed in life and in college, to be extremely happy and satisfied, and to do so with honor. I know, from sixty-eight years of living, that:
- Cheating, dishonesty, and unethical conduct is highly likely to become addictive – cheat a little at seventeen and you’re very liable to cheat a lot at thirty or forty. I expect you’ll disagree with this, but it is the stuff of Biblical, Grecian, and Shakespearian tragedies, so it is very real and it has plagued mankind for many centuries.
- The way to arrest this addiction is to face the consequences stoically and to use the adverse experiences – and the concomitant pain – to alter behavior and values permanently.
@TopTier can say everything about how “wrong of a decision” your making and how “unethical” your actions are, but in reality if you wanted to go to a good school and not be very stressed out during the college admissions because of one stupid (maybe desperate) action which was already handled by your school (no need to escalate) then click the box no.
You obviously recognized that it is wrong and you will not do it again. No need to dig yourself a bigger hole.