<p>I'm new to this board so I apologize if this is already in here. My son is a senior this year - top 2% of his class, 33 ACT score, National Hispanic Merit Scholar, varsity athletics, academic clubs, community service, etc. Everything seemed great until he was filling out the common app and hit the discipline history section. As a junior he got into a fight (physical) with another student. His high school at the time was a 0 tolerance school so both students were suspended and removed from campus. Aside from this one incident he does not even have a tardy, reprimand, referral on his record (nothing at all). He is at a different school for his senior year due to us moving for work...his new school counselor said the old school did not transfer any discipline issues,his record is completely clean. Should this be reported on the app? Will this affect his acceptance at certain higher tier schools?</p>
<p>The wording of the disciplinary question is something like “at any educational institution from 9th grade on”. It’s clear that he needs to disclose the suspension, explain the incident and make the case that it was a one-time lapse in judgment from an otherwise stellar record.</p>
<p>I agree with SVM. I believe the college will also require a transcript from the previous school so it may be on that one.</p>
<p>“Should this be reported on the app?” Yes. </p>
<p>“Will this affect his acceptance at certain higher tier schools?” Yes.</p>
<p>The Common App clearly asks about any and all disciplinary issues during high school. Honesty is the best policy. Describing the disciplinary situation will not be an auto-reject at any school; however, if the college finds out about it and it is not in the app it will likely be an auto-reject. In fact, a student who has already enrolled can be expelled for false information on the application.</p>
<p>To mitigate the damage, I would suggest having the LOR specifically address the situation and emphasize that it was a one-time event totally out of character for the student. I would also speak face to face with your regional adcom - this is the person who will read your application. Make sure he understands that the applicant is not a bad person in any way and certainly not a security risk on campus.</p>