<p>Hi -
I was accused of cheating on my physics final exam the other day, and despite incredibly small evidence that I did cheat, it seems as if I will be punished for something I did not do. Regardless, i would like to know something - How will this impact me in the college process? Will there be schools that simply reject me despite my strong application because of this one stroke of bad luck? Or do colleges realize that perhaps I slipped up, perhaps I was unlucky in the ruling, perhaps I had no control over the situation etc? Please answer, I'm very concerned and would like to know what will happen, bad or not.</p>
<p>In terms of the future, what matters is if you are disciplined for academic dishonesty. If your accusal turns out to be unfounded you’ll be fine. If not, you will have to report it if your school does (and if for some reason they don’t - which is highly unlikely in AD - you’ll have to deal with the ethical situation of whether to lie or not on the question on the common app that asks if you’ve ever received an infraction) and some schools will probably auto reject. There are already plenty of applicants who aren’t cheating that don’t get in so why would a school reject them for someone who cheated? Not all adcoms at all schools will behave the same though.</p>
<p>At my school, the first time is a warning and they don’t tell the colleges, but the 2nd time they put you in lower classes and tell colleges that you were caught cheating. But that’s my school, you should ask your counselor/teachers.</p>
<p>If you truly did not cheat (and have no previous infractions) then fight back.</p>
<p>I would arrange for a meeting between my parents, the teacher (that “caught” you) and a counselor/dean. Explain the events. I would NOT just be accused of cheating. This might get your school to not tell colleges. Besides, not doing anything about it is like admitting you cheated (I know, it’s unfair…)</p>
<p>If it will go in your permanent record or be given to colleges get a lawyer fast. He/she will safeguard your rights and make sure you don’t get railroaded.</p>