<p>I know it's been asked before, but I'm looking for current thinking on this, and Georgetown-specific info if possible. I posted over there as well.</p>
<p>A friend's son submitted EA application to Georgetown (non-Common App) last week, then proceeded to get arrested for a typical Halloween weekend indiscretion. </p>
<p>In our town the police swiftly report these things to the on-campus resource officer and the counselors are informed.</p>
<p>2 Questions:
What is his legal obligation to Georgetown?</p>
<p>Nothing to report at this time since there is no conviction. As suggested, they need to check options that can get it expunged from his record should he be convicted. A normal process is to take alcohol awareness classes assuming alcohol was involved. Charge removed from record after probation period.</p>
<p>I ask because the common application requires students to agree that they understand their eventual enrollment depends on, among other things: </p>
<p>"…honorable dismissal from the school."</p>
<p>I understand this to mean if a student is expelled, it might trigger rescinding admission. In this case, if the student is found guilty of illegal activity, he’ll likely get either an inhouse suspension or full suspension, which will be on his record. It’s unlikely to result in expulsion.</p>
<p>I do wonder if the counselor at school will have a professional obligation to reveal the suspension if asked either on the phone or through the mid-year report, and if the student would be better served by offering up an apology and lessons learned statement if this doesn’t go away through aggressive intervention with an attorney.</p>
<p>Georgetown doesn’t use the Common Application, so I don’t know what agreement the student signed concerning reporting disciplinary action occurring after the application is submitted.</p>
<p>I don’t know about G’town, but my son just completed one app that required him to check a couple boxes before signing…one stated that he would inform them of any changes to his application, including disciplinary action.</p>
<p>I would tell the college, as soon as the legal situation is clear. Is the student going to court soon? I would think the guidance counselor might mention this, and much better to get ahead of it. Honesty does tend to pay off one way or the other.</p>
<p>I know you cannot say, but “indiscretion” can cover a lot of territory. so advice would vary on the situation.</p>
<p>Is this student ready to go away to a stressful environment like Georgetown? Perhaps this incident is a warning sign. Again, we have no details so this is entirely rhetorical.</p>
<p>This will come up with financial aid applications too, if felony was involved, but if it was a misdemeanor it is fine, I believe. Others can correct me.</p>
<p>A pdf of the Georgetown apps and forms are available on their site. It doesn’t appear that they even ask the kids about their disciplinary history, and they don’t ask that any changes be reported. There is a section on the school report (which presumably has already been submitted.) The mid-year report does the counselor to report any changes in academics/character. Sounds like if anything is to be done, it would be done by the counselor in January.</p>
<p>Drinking, and not in a car at the time. Not t-peeing! </p>
<p>Mommy dearest, thanks for checking Georgetown pdf. I could only find the first half of the application. I was seeing a requirement to create an account to get to the second half where I suspect self-report of disciplinary action might be. </p>
<p>I also agree with those who question maturity of the kid. I do think kids this age benefit from some uncomfortable consequences, but I also don’t like to see college plans completely dismantled by a single incident. This kid doesn’t have a prior.</p>
<p>Agree with general advice re moral obligation not impacted here at this stage, especially in light of what GU asks about for re disclosure. But I would offer this caveat – if GU finds this out from sources other than the kid/parents (eg admissions), the applicant is toast and so some risk to non-dislcosure.</p>
<p>Schools are looking for reasons to reject kids with the number of applicants! Do not tell them if it is not necessary. Hey I was mischievous= bye bye</p>
<p>Just for the sake of this conversation, and future readers who may pull this thread up on search, schools who use the Common App often use more specific language in their supplement regarding this. Make sure you check both as to your responsibility regarding disclosure.</p>