<p>I have no intention of attending any college other than the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Ordinarily, I wouldn't be concerned at all with acceptance because I have heard that they strongly orient their acceptances towards students with outstanding academic records, which I have. (4.0 uw GPA + 35 ACT) However, in my freshman year I was suspended for a day for cheating on a test (specifically, giving an essay prompt to someone in a later hour who was to take the same essay later in the day). Will this hurt my chances of getting into U of M significantly to a point where I should be worried? I live in Michigan if that makes a difference.</p>
<p>I think you should be fine. You may try to put that in an essay on the lesson you’ve learned. It is far better than a recent situation that a student got accept in EA but got a suspension afterward. It is still not clear if she will get rescinded or not. Hopefully not, but it will be shown on the final school report.</p>
<p>No, your freshman records won’t hurt you at all, if any</p>
<p>But you can always ask your guidance counselor whether or not this will even be reported…it may not.</p>
<p>I believe the Common App asks if you’ve ever been suspended and you’ll need to answer truthfully. State what you learned from something that happened early in your HS career.</p>
<p>you will be asked: answer truthfully because your counselor will be asked too and will detail the circumstances. DO NOT make it the topic of an essay though, your essay should focus on who you are today.
Don’t be confident you’ll get into UMichigan even with these great stats since they turn away quite a few valedictorians, 4.0’s, or high SAT’s kids every year. UMich is a “reach for everyone” school, ie., regardless of stats no one can consider them a match or a safety.
Therefore right now you need to find 2 safeties (schools you like, can afford, and are 100% sure you’ll get into) and a handful of matches. :)</p>
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Why?</p>
<p>They keep track of all suspensions and student behavior is noted. I was suspended in middle school and my high school put that in my record. If they don’t ask on your application don’t mention it or drag attention to it. I don’t think it should have a huge impact. I knew someone who got caught cheating and got into a good university. </p>
<p>@dodgermom: because OP stated s/he’s rather confident s/he’ll get into Michigan, which can never be treated as a match or a safety. Therefore, OP needs to worry about matches and safeties.</p>
<p>@dodgermom It is always good to have a few matches admitted and then you can compare the financial package. Although UMich is need met for in state, it still may be not the most affordable one. Of course, even a match school may still have a significant chance of rejection otherwise it would be considered safety.</p>
<p>Since this is from freshman year, and there are no repeat offenses, it’s likely not a problem. I know of a student who just got in a BS/MD program who was suspended junior/senior year for showing up drunk at a school event, so if they can do that, you’re likely in the clear.</p>
<p>I understand why one usually needs matches. But in this case, where it’s U of M or bust, I’d think a couple of safeties are plenty.</p>
<p>@dodgersmom I think the intention is to discourage that U of M or bust attitude, not to accept it. That is NOT that attitude you want going into the college process, and there is no reason for that pending incredible circumstances not mentioned…</p>