Effects of expulsion/suspensions on college applications

Applying to College
1

<p>I was recently caught with marijuana at a school's (not mine) homecoming. I admitted to take a few hits, but not possession. I am currently waiting for the decision of my private Catholic school's disciplinary board on my punishment for this smoking. I am not sure what their decision is, but for the sake of closure, I am curious how this will effect my applications.</p>

<p>I am currently a straight A senior that is in the top 5% of my class with a high SAT score and a generally impeccable record. Teachers have no complaints about me, and I have not had any other offenses on my record (other than tardies and the like). </p>

<p>I did some research on my own and found that in general most admissions officers say that you should foremost be honest, which I agree with, because sometimes its not as bad as it seems. Drugs, for instance, can be seen as a "rite of passage" and can, apparently, be overlooked. So a suspension may not be a full handicap.</p>

<p>My main source has been the following:</p>

<p>College</a> experts discuss high school suspensions</p>

<p>This is mainly about suspension, however. I face the risk of expulsion, mostly because my school has a zero-tolerance policy towards drug-use, and I "represent" my school wherever I go. Last year, for instance, a student came to school under the influence of marijuana and confessed by his own volition (it was a drug day and he had a profound enlightenment of some sorts) and he was expelled (rather, they gave him the opportunity to withdraw from the school). </p>

<p>How do you people believe expulsion would be seen by college admissions? Particularly high-tiered school admissions.</p>

2

<p>If I were you, I would transfer back to your public school RIGHT NOW and hope that “Expulsion” is not marked on your record.</p>

3

<p>You have a strict school, I was caught with some as well, and nothing happened. I just said I held it for a friend (which was actually true) and he said alright. The kid who actually was taking hits didn’t get in trouble either, they just yelled at us, lol.</p>

<p>I think it’s because our school has so many screw-up kids they don’t care what you do as long as you aren’t killing someone. I’d say 19/20 kids in our district have tried drugs of some kind.</p>

<p>And our school isn’t a poor inner-city school either, I’d say I’m about average in my school district and I think my dad makes 150k or so.</p>

<p>You def shouldn’t get expelled, a few detentions maybe.</p>

4

<p>^^^</p>

<p>Catholic schools do expel for this. Hopefully, they’ll let you withdraw. Tomorrow, I would look at enrolling either at the public or home-school. In some states, you can’t enroll in a public if you were expelled from previous school…that’s why some schools let you “withdraw”.</p>

<p>If you enroll before the expulsion, perhaps nothing much will happen because you’ll be informing them that you’re leaving before they can expell you.</p>

<p>I would go to the local public, see about enrolling. You can always change your mind about that if your school doesn’t expel you. IF a lot of kids know about this, you will get expelled. If it’s been “hushed” - you might have a chance. I’m sure they don’t like having to expel a top student during his senior year, but they have to set an example if others know.</p>

<p>You can also finish this year thru online courses.</p>

5

<p>Hmm… Would it be possible to withdraw from the school (which has 3 years of transcript grades) and attend the public school without drawing much suspicion? I’ve been informed that I am “suspended as of now” 3 minutes into my conversation with the Dean of Students, so I think the suspension charge is pretty set.</p>

<p>I’m happy most people responded with USEFUL advice on this matter… I’ve a couple PM’s with advice a tad bit less useful.</p>

6

<p>Mystical – I’m not sure that transferring out is your best course of action at this point, especially since you don’t have a discriplinary record up to this point, and you will have to reveal the suspension even if you go elsewhere. Especially if you have a GC or head of school who, while angry with you at this moment, sees you as a good kid who is truly contrite and who they want to help to turn things around and get into an excellent college despite a lapse in judgment.</p>

<p>You might want to take a look at The Gatekeepers, which follows the college admissions journey of a group of kids at a California prep school. One of the students, a well-respected member of student government, knowingly eats a pot brownie another student brings to school one morning, but when the faculty raises the issue of the brownies, turns herself in. I don’t remember the exact punishment, but I think it was a brief suspension, after which she remained at the school. Her GC jumped through major hoops to help her into college, where admissions committee members at some schools had issues with her marijuana use. Wes (Wes?!?!?) was particularly harsh, and I believe that the girl ended up at Cornell, following much negotiation by the GC. Clearly, this girl got into an excellent school in the end, but the marijuana incident and suspension were significant issues that affected admissions at other schools. </p>

<p>I am really hoping that you and your parents have a very good relationship with your school up to this point, and that you will all continue to cultivate the relationship big time. If you are suspended, as opposed to expelled, how long is this for? Hopefully, not for long enough to mess up your grades during the period when you can’t take tests or turn in assignments. I think that talking to teachers and administrators, letting them know how sorry and regretful you are, without excuses or equivocation, will be helpful.</p>

<p>At some point, you are going to have to talk with your GC about college strategies given the new situation. Would it be wise to expand your list? (My thought is yes, as it’s hard to know how each committee will look upon your situation, and you might want to expand the number of schools in reach/match/safety categories.) Are there colleges and admissions officers that have been visiting your school for years and with whom your school or your GC might have a special relationship? Will your GC be in your corner?</p>

<p>You might want to search for past threads raising similar issues for posts by motherofwildchild. You will find some wisdom there from a parent who has been through it. I’m not sure of the exact nature of wildchild’s transgressions, but my impression is that he and his family addressed the situation(s?) very effectively. I believe he is an upper classman at an Ivy at the moment.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

7

<p>wow, way to go. suspensions for drugs and being expelled= automatic rejection.</p>

8

<p>There is no easy answer. Switching schools mid term for no apparent good reason will raise eyebrows–the schools are not stupid. Different colleges have different views here, and different adcom with colleges will have different views as the Gatekeepers shows.</p>

<p>In your situation I’d seek some very good professional advice about how to handle this with colleges.</p>

9

<p>First off, collegebound, not true =P</p>

<p>If you had read Nester’s little story, or done some research, then you would find that that is not true at all. I’m actually fairly relieved at how common many students with suspensions get into relatively good colleges.</p>

<p>Nester, I am not able to find these past threads by motherofwildchild… </p>

<p>I think I have a fairly good relationship with my Guidance Counselor… He sees me as an overachiever, anyway, and has always spoken with me with politeness. I certainly hope that this won’t be too large a blemish on my record… Thanks for the reassurance. </p>

<p>Although I doubt that I can transfer in time… My public school is relatively high quality, so would suspension keep me out from THAT school as well?</p>

10

<p>Sorry, Mystical. The parent in question’s screen name is momofwildchild, not motherof. I did a quick search and she has a ton of posts to wade through; she has more than one child. But I think it will be worth it. You might even want to PM her.</p>

<p>Also, in terms of a transfer, don’t go into it blindly. You will be very well served if you have a lot of extra GC support in your college application process. If your current GC knows and likes you , he will be able to reassure colleges more effectively than the public school GC who will have only just met you and won’t be able to vouch for your overall character.</p>

<p>Finally, if you are in an urban center and have access to a high quality private college consultant, and can find one with solid credentials who has dealt with a high achieving, suspension record student before, hmom’s advice is good. Consider getting input from a professional who has been around the block with this particular issue before.</p>

11

<p>^^^</p>

<p>Depending on your state or district rules, some schools will not accept a student who has been expelled from anther school. Right now, you have not been expelled. that’s why I think you should seek that as an option. Or, perhaps, finishing this year thru an online high school.</p>

<p>Which colleges were you applying to?</p>

<p>However, if your school (pray, pray) lets you stay with just a suspension, then I think you can handle the “story” in your apps. Don’t lie, simply tell the truth. Hopefully, you can honestly state that you regret your actions and will refrain from drug-use in the future.</p>

<p>Let us know how this goes. My best friend’s son was expelled from our Catholic High school during junior year for something so stupid (many of us boycotted all fund-raisers for awhile afterwards). But, this young man is now at the college of his choice.</p>

<p>Ignore any crazies that send you hateful pms. There are some real ugly people out there.</p>

<p>BTW…what are your parents doing about any of this? Are they helping you strategize?</p>

12

<br>

<br>

<p>I only suggest actually going thru with the transfer IF expulsion is inevitable. If he is expelled, the GC isn’t going to be one bit of help to this young man. IF he is only suspended, then he should definitely stay! However, if he is suspended for several days/weeks, he’ll likely see a severe drop in his GPA if the school’s policy is to give F’s for those missing days. So, that could also be a concern.</p>

13

<p>lol you reject statements by other people using “stories” from this self selecting minority of students? </p>

<p>Selective privates have no need for any students with DRUG suspensions, it might fly at LACs tho and laid back schools. The only suspension that Might be overlooked is fighting, which is obviously less severe than drug charges. </p>

<p>Schools have rounds of admissions decisions supposedly. Round 1= take out any red flags such as Suspensions</p>

14

<p>To the OP,</p>

<p>If you were my kid our family lawyer would already be involved in this very serious matter.</p>

15

<p>^^^</p>

<p>Catholic schools often have policies that limit any attorney involvement in such matters.</p>

16

<p>It’s likely true that the most elite schools are not going to accept you at this point. Maybe as a transfer later if high school records aren’t needed.</p>

<p>I don’t believe that all mid-range schools will reject you.</p>

<p>What schools will you be applying to?</p>

<p>(good heavens. If every college thought that they were only accepting kids who’ve never tried pot, they’re nuts. They’d be hard-pressed to find any employees who’ve never tried it.)</p>

17

<p>Read the OP but not every response…
if you haven’t read The Gatekeepers–this ones for you baby, read it.</p>

<p>A student with a pot brownie incident does the right thing and the school lets her continue-etc…but Weslyan denies her…the kicker is Weslyan evidently celebrates pot day or something to that effect…hypocritical (absolutely) but its all a matter of who is reading your app and “how much water they carry” when it comes to committee.</p>

<p>You are going to have to address it in your apps, and get recs that address your circumstances and growth. As a teen you are on a journey to adulthood and every kid makes mistakes…</p>

<p>Good luck, wishing you well.</p>

18

<p>Have you learned anything more.</p>

19

<p>

</p>

<p>What is a drug day? :confused:</p>

20

<p>^they dont have those in maryland of all places? its depends on school and state, but its basically a drug search through the lockers with dogs.</p>