<p>I know this is not a situation that many of you have dealt with. Unfortunately, this is a reality that I may have to face in the near future. My applications are already in and at the moment no charges or convictions have been filed. </p>
<p>This is the first time anything like this has happened to me and it could not come at a worse time. Although the act itself was not very serious, the concept of having an unclean record is making me very nervous. </p>
<p>Does anyone know what effects this might have on my applications or what course of action I should take?</p>
<p>Well, since your applications are in, and you had a clean record at that time, colleges won't be conducting background checks on their applicants. Since you say this is a relatively minor misdemeanor chances are your school hasn't and will not find out about it (however i'm not sure about the procedures in your specific jurisdiction so i may be wrong). So if your school doesn't know about it, the colleges won't know about it. You also mentioned no charges or convictions have been filed yet so your're safe for now. I've been arrested before, but charges were eventually dropped, no one knows anything about it but me!</p>
<p>That is basically what I figured- up to this point I have had a great track record (legal and academic). However, on the citation my school name was listed (giving me the impression they may report). This concern was also voiced by a few of my friends. If this is reported to my school, will my guidance counselor be obligated to report this on the midyear form?</p>
<p>If the school finds out, than the GC is obligated to report this to your college. However, when i got booked, the arresting officer took down the name of my school as well, but the incident was never reported to the school. I think if it's a minor incident that happens off school property, officers are often too busy to rat you out to your school, because it simply doesn't accomplish anything. O yeah, and GCs are often so busy that they won't comb through your records to chekc for suspensions and criminal records, and unless they know you are the type of person that consistently getz into trouble.</p>
<p>It appears that the incident was reported to my school. If I do end up with a conviction or suspension, what affect will this have on my applications?</p>
<p>Invision_sales: it really depends what this minor infraction was. I was suspended in 10th grade for something that was rather small (on the other hand, I came in and reported myself... long story, d/n ask). My college counselors don't think it's a big deal. I guess it all depends on what it was. However, this happened THIS YEAR - so, I guess there's not too much 'learning' to be gained from this experience given it's your senior year. </p>
<p>Bottom line: it will all come down to what exactly happened. Also, it's EFFECT and not affect.</p>
<p>you should make phone calls (anonymous if you prefer) to the admissions offices of your colleges, asking them what their policy is (whether you are required to let them know or not)</p>
<p>The reason I say this is that many colleges REQUIRE you to let them know if the record changes. If you do not follow through on this requirement then they can rescind your decision automatically</p>
<p>The way things are looking, I will most likely not experience any disciplinary action from the school. I am going to do my best to avoid a conviction on my permanent record. However, if I fail, what would be the potential reprecusssions of a misdemeanor or suspension on an application? (note: I am applying to a few PLAC's and a few local universities...not any ivies)</p>
<p>Private Liberal Arts College- and no, it wasn't anything horrific. From my understanding, it is a fairly common misdemeanor...however, I understand how competitive the admissions process can be- I don't want something small to ruin a lot of hard work.</p>
<p>maybe you should beat your guidance counselor to it. Write a little essay describing the circumstances and tell what you learned, and send it to your schools. Say something like "I got all the disobedience out of my system and I'm gonna be a good kid at your school next fall." but it's up to you.</p>
<p>Yep- it was a MIP citation (minor in possession), but no conviction as of yet. I may have to appear in court, but I am not entirely sure if I will be able to avoid a conviction or not. Should I wait until convicted/overturned to report this. What effects could this have on my applications?</p>
<p>Do not do a thing unless you are convicted. In fact, your GC cannot contact the colleges unless you are convicted. Innocent until proven guilty, and all that.</p>
<p>If you are convicted, you need to call the admissions office anonymously to find out their policy. If they require disclosure, write it up as best you can and send it. Get advice from your GC on this. If they don't require it (many won't for a misdemeanor, only felony, esp. first offense), don't say a thing.</p>
<p>No, I don't do drugs. I was dumb enough to attend a "social function" where some "less-than-legal" activities transpired... Needless to say, I feel horrible right now- I don't know what this is going to do to my applications if I am convicted. The charge is a minor one, but I would prefer to keep my record clean.</p>