<p>Hey everyone, I just have a general question regarding UC transfer admissions which I haven't seen elsewhere in the UC Transfers forum. From what I understand, these are the basic steps of the admission process: we self-report our grades on the application, the admissions committees evaluate us based on those self-reported grades (among other factors, of course), and we only send our official transcripts to the school that we are accepted to and decide to attend. </p>
<p>With all that said, I unfortunately have a past disciplinary suspension on my college academic record for something stupid (as in alcohol-related stupid), but a suspension nonetheless. However, the UC application does not ask anything about past disciplinary violations, suspensions, expulsions, etc. (although I am aware of the question regarding past academic probation, which is irrelevant to my situation). </p>
<p>Does this mean that they will not have any knowledge of the suspension until after I am admitted and send my official transcripts? Or is this something that I [should/must/am required to] disclose in the Additional Comments section so that they are not unpleasantly surprised post-admission by the ugly suspension engraved into my transcript? Also, do the UC admissions officers contact the previous university to verify the reason for the suspension?</p>
<p>Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not asking these questions with the intent to deceive, take advantage of the system, or outright lie on my application in any way whatsoever. I just want to get the facts straight and want to be as transparent and accurate as possible come November.</p>
<p>They usually phrase the question “Have you ever been expelled, suspended or the subject of disciplinary action at any previous school you have attended?” They may say for “academic reasons” such as academic dishonesty or poor grades since that is what they are mainly concerned about. Non-academic disciplinary action could cover a lot of things such as assault, theft and vandalism which the UCs and CSUs are unlikely to take a very forgiving attitude towards since they do not want that kind of person on their campus as opposed to underage drinking which they might be more forgiving towards since UC and CSU officials have to be aware that it goes on at all of their campuses on a daily basis.</p>
<p>Since it is going to be on your transcript so any school that accepts you is going to find out about it eventually it is probably better to be upfront about it when completing your applications. I do not think this suspension will be a deal breaker at all UCs and CSUs if you make them aware of it early in the application process but it could be if they think you were trying to conceal it.</p>
<p>As far as I know, the question “Have you ever been expelled, suspended or the subject of disciplinary action at any previous school you have attended?” is asked on the Common App and other private school applications, but not in the UC application. </p>
<p>If the suspension was due to an alcohol-related incident, I would agree that they will probably be more forgiving as opposed to a more serious incident, as Lemaitre1 already mentioned above. I would disclose the suspension in the application without a question; better to be safe than sorry.</p>
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<p>I’m curious about the answer to this question as well. Anyone know?</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies. Given what’s been said, I will definitely elaborate on the disciplinary suspension in the Additional Comments section to prevent any “this kid tried to hide his suspension”-esque thoughts in May/June when I send in my official transcripts. </p>
<p>If anyone knows the answer to my last question, or heard of any instances where colleges verified the cause for a suspension (sort of like a background check), please do tell. If they do check, I plan to contact my previous university to clarify what exactly is stated in their records and make sure what’s stated in my application checks out.</p>
<p>This is probably very difficult to know. It is unlikely that any of the UCs would make public what their policy is in these types of situations and the students themselves are very unlikely to be informed by UC admissions officers or the university where the suspension occurred that there had been any communication between the schools regarding the suspension.</p>
<p>However, I think it would be reasonable and prudent to assume that in at least some cases the UC Admissions officers will contact the previous university and confirm with them your version that you provided in your UC application of what prompted the suspension.</p>