<p>I was recently dismissed from a residential school I attended in 11th grade. I am now enrolled in a different school [in my county]. As I look at admission forms for colleges, I recognize there is a question involving discip. action/dismissal/expulsion/suspension/probation. However, not all colleges word the question the same way. I am not looking to falsify data on my app forms, but I am pretty sure that dismissal and expulsion are not the same. One application I saw asked "Has this student ever been expelled, suspended, or placed on probation from any school?". I do not feel it is accurate to write that I was expelled, when I was in fact dismissed. Is it OK for me to check the box that states "No" to this question?</p>
<p>Please don't get me wrong, I am very remorseful for my actions - they were stupid. But I do have the honesty and integrity to admit to my mistakes and learn from them. The lesson taught me a lot about accepting responsibility and learning from adversity.</p>
<p>I just don't want to be stuck in an awkward position when answering the particular question posed above. For colleges that ask whether I have been dismissed, I would write that I have, but again, dismissal and expulsion are 2 different things, supposedly, and I don't feel it is accurate that I equate them.</p>
<p>Well, what is the difference between dismissal and explusion? Could you have returned to the residential school, had you wanted to? </p>
<p>And, did you leave the residential school at the end of a semester or academic year, or did you leave in the middle of a semester?</p>
<p>Do your transcripts from the residential school indicate the reason why you left or that you were dismissed?</p>
<p>I would suggest checking "yes," clarifying the difference between dismissal and expulsion, and explain the circumstances. I just don't think you have anything to gain by telling a half-truth.</p>
<p>I guess it depends on what you mean by being "dismissed from a residential school."</p>
<p>What, in your opinion, is the difference between dismissal and expulsion? If your school "dismisses" students and doesn't expel them, then I believe it is the same thing. If your school dismisses students for certain things, but expels them for others, then perhaps you are right when you say the words mean different things.</p>
<p>From what you have written though, I don't see a difference in terms.</p>
<p>I am sure there is space to adequately answer their questions, whatever the term is, and to remain honest. If they only say "have you ever been expelled" I would put an asterisk, and explain you were "dismissed" and why, without using the term expelled, if you are that concerned they mean different things. </p>
<p>To clarify, I would not say "no" to a question that asked if I was expelled and didn't offer up the term dismissed, if I were in your shoes. They will get the transcript from that school, and if they feel the terms mean the same thing (as I do) they will feel you were deceptive/lying to them.</p>
<p>yes, echo 3321...the high school transcript will tell all. I would be very upfront about this and it is a great way to show what you have learned from the experience.</p>
<p>Well, the transcript from the school will not mention why I left. I think that expulsion is a more serious action than dismissal. A document I have seen from the school has used all three terms, suspension, expulsion, and dismissal, so I believe that dismissal does NOT equate to expulsion in the situation. My school considers it a "judicial withdrawal" - meaning that I either violated probation or elected to withdraw pending an investigation. I did not violate probation, so the second is in effect, I suppose. An article I read from Harvard also stated that Expulsion was more serious than Dismissal. Another article I read from another website explained that Expulsion was a far more serious punishment, for a far more serious violation. But the transcript from that school will not say anything about why I left; I know this.</p>
<p>At geek_son's high school, we don't have the term "dismissal" -- but for certain offenses that would result in an expulsion hearing, the student/family is given an opportunity to withdraw and leave the premises immediately. That option is often given for students who cheat; it's never given for a health/safety violation.</p>
<p>As far as I know, the withdrawal option is noted simply as a voluntary withdrawal on the student's record, no different from moving away and choosing to enroll in another school.</p>
<p>If this is what you're talking about, then it might be technically accurate to answer "No." Whether it would be ethical, I have my doubts. And whether the college might rescind an offer of admission if you checked "No" and they found out later about the dismissal... that seems at least possible, if not probable.</p>
<p>From what geem_mom said I gather it depends on the circumstances of how you left. You may want to go as far as contacting the residential school (as awkward as it might be) for clarification. Though you may not be aiming to lie on documentation it won't look great if you lie about this and they find out otherwise.</p>
<p>yeah the line is quite fine. but i think that full disclosure is the best way to go. with a good letter explaining the circumstances and all, it could play in your favor.</p>
<p>Do not check any of the options. Instead, handwrite "see attached" (I guess this means you cannot do on-line admissions). Then, attach a thoughtful paper, explaining the circumstances and what you learned from it. This information was told to my DS from the principal of a very large and respected high school. Nephew used the same approach and actually received a scholarship because of his essay. Schools love to see growth---it isn't all about avoiding mistakes.</p>
<p>I was just expelled from Temple after a kangaroo hearing. The situation was that I was
living at home outside of Phila., where my parents live on a large wooded lot with lots of weeds and underbrush. On a Friday night I was staying at a house near Temple in North Phila. when my friend locked himself out of his bedroom. I remembered that I had a machete in the trunk of my car from helping my dad with landscaping and at 3;00 a. m. went to my car. As I lifted the machete from the trunk , a group of 5 black guys asked what I had. Thinking I was getting mugged I told them " none of your business". One of the group drew a gun , while the others shouted he was a cop and " Shoot him." I threw the machete to the ground and the group jumped me and I was hospitalized and arrested for aggravated assault on a police officer. The group which was walking, claimed to be in a car and this off-duty, dressed in black officer ,claimed I made combat type motions toward him, which never occurred. At a Temple hearing , they expelled me finding that I attacked a Police Officer , stating why would a police officer lie. I never touched this officer but the Temple panel belittled me and my belief that I thought I was being murdered by a gang.
I withdrew from my classes and have appealed the expulsion. I feel it is best to transfer out of this school. How should I proceed ? Do you think any other school will take me under the circumstances described. The group that attacked me was coming from a drug party across the street from where I was staying, although, the cop claims he was only picking people up from the party and didn’t attend it.</p>
<p>I just read the article on Philly.com and somehow I didn’t hear about it (I go to TU). Still, you’re an idiot. What kind of genius wields a machete? Kick the door in or something. Wielding a machete in the middle of the street? Brilliant.</p>