<p>So about 2 years ago I was arrested for something relatively minor (disorderly conduct) for which I have a criminal record; however, by the time I apply to colleges, the record will be expunged so I will be legally able to reply "no" to any questions pertaining to criminal history. However, the whole ordeal was really quite challenging to overcome, and I think it would make for a great essay. After all, I was locked up for nearly a month and managed to come back working 4-5 days a week at a job and still pull a 4.5 the semester I was gone. The whole experience definitely made me grow as a person and, as I said before, I think it would be a great essay, but I'm worried that, irrespective of whether it's a great essay or not, mentioning that I was arrested would be a huge put off to admissions committees. I don't really have room in the essay to explain all the details of the incident; I basically just dismissed it as "letting my anger get ahold of me", and that was it. Should I choose another essay topic and not mention it, or be honest about it and gamble?</p>
<p>If it is expunged as you say, then you are already being honest about it. I really don't think I'd write about it especially if, as you say, you can't provide all the details.</p>
<p>Hmm...it depends on the college too because if you remember Becky's case in "the gatekeepers", the college she was accepted to based off of the pot brownie story usually had a "champion" that vouched for her as an individual with integrity. It would be taking a huge risk in writing it and if you do, you really have to make sure you exemplify your positives and the values you came out with.</p>
<p>"Letting my anger get a hold of me" is not an excuse that college admissions officers are going to like. They might think, "This kid could get angry again and do something terrible."</p>
<p>Yeah- I'd avoid it. Getting locked away for a month isn't probably something that a college will look at and go "oh! they must have changed so much for the better because of this experience!" Whatever you did that caused that big a sentence probably isn't a good thing.</p>
<p>I think it is up to you. I personally would look at your essay with respect, some may not. It could be hit or miss, but it could also make you stand out as a person. Someone who makes mistakes but also learns from them.</p>
<p>Think about what happened at Virginia Tech last year and then think about being on an admissions committee and being accountable for admitting someone who has a criminal record for anger issues. If it were me, I'd put that file in the reject pile automatically.</p>
<p>I read the same thing is "The Gatekeepers" and I agree that it would be a gamble. I don't think you should do it if it was expunged from your record though.</p>
<p>That girl almost got expelled from her school for a pot brownie. I'm quite sure that she wasn't even put on probation; you, on the other hand, were in jail for a month.</p>
<p>personally, I would write this piece of information to half of the colleges I apply to. At first, it might just show that you are the most honest applicant, and honesty is some subjective quality that cannot be compared with scores or grades. There is a best example I think you can refer to in your essay. Do you know this book called Freakonomics by an author who has degree from MIT? In his book, there's an example contrasting the "freak" outcomes of two Harvard graduates, one from a white, highly educated, and wealthy family, and the other from a black (as in ethnicity), somewhat criminal (parents are gangsters), and poor family. The white one later becomes a terrorist, but the black one turns out to be a successful lawyer in the end. I'm not going to tell you too much detail about the background of that black dude, and you just have to discover it yourself given the information above.</p>
<p>However, I think you should only do this to 1/2 of your college choices just in case that the adcoms can not see that much potential in one go.</p>
<p>I just wouldn't risk it at all, to be honest. I can totally understand your reasons for wanting to write about it, but it might not be the best move if you actually want to get into college.</p>
<p>This advice might be too late, seeing the dates on this thread.</p>