<p>“Unfortunately, admitting to the cheating and taking the 0 will leave a black mark on her transcript which will potentially haunt her for the rest of her life”</p>
<p>I don’t think so. There was no indication she would receive an XF or other mark on her transcript indicating cheating/suspected cheating. The worst she is going to get out of this is a bad grade, I think. Which is actually very terrible, considering the cost per credit at Emory! Not to mention all the sweat and tears that went into studying/protecting the grades on her transcript. And thirdly and finally the unjustness of it…but ah…I suppose life isn’t always fair. </p>
<p>We always want to fight when something is not fair, but perhaps her parents came from a family/culture that doesn’t value that as much and took a pragmatic approach. Maybe they actually made the right choice. Maybe the prof would have won, even if the girl was innocent. Maybe they would have lost their fin aid. Maybe maybe maybe.</p>
<p>If the girl won’t stand up for herself, there’s nothing her bf, friends, etc. can do for her. And if this is ultimately the choice she made, well, it won’t ruin her life or anything…just was a big waste of money, effort, and stress. Hopefully she doesn’t beat herself up over what’s done and done and moves on to have a really successful time at Emory and career after she graduates. That would also be a great way to shove it the prof.</p>
<p>That said, after receiving her final grade she will have an excellent chance at appealing, with the exam in hand, the other girl/her exam as witness, and her final grade as proof she knows her stuff. In my opinion. She’ll be better equipped to deal with the stress after finals are over and hopefully the dean will be more helpful when there’s evidence available.</p>