About a year ago, I was applying to colleges. I thought that I had a strong application, but the chink in my armor was my one incident of cheating during my junior year.
I searched hundreds of threads on college confidential to figure out what to do, and found very little help. Many people told me and countless people like me that we were screwed.
Let me tell you… You’re not. You like many others still have a chance to get into the college of your dreams despite a few blunders you made in high school.
My advice is that you be honest in your common application and admit your mistakes. Tell them what you have learned and that one incident does not define your character.
By going through the admissions process, I’ve learned that most colleges do not care about your disciplinary actions. They actually can understand. Colleges and universities are places that believe in the power of learning to change lives, and that believe in second chances, especially for those who may have made mistakes at a young age.
I applied to 8 colleges. William & Mary, George Mason, George Washington, American University, James Madison, University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, and New York University.
Despite my record of cheating, I was able to gain admission into NYU’s College of Art’s and Sciences, GMU, JMU, and Virginia Tech.
I am now going to attend NYU this Fall on a scholarship… I guess my point is do not let your history of mistakes stop you from applying to your dream schools. If you are honest, and tell admissions that you have learned from your mistakes they will still review your application fairly.
Some universities and colleges, such as NYU don’t even look at the box until they finish the preliminary acceptances.
Last year, I lamented about how unfair the common app box for disciplinary actions and crime was. It’s human to make mistakes, and people on college confidential act like they have never made a mistake. Some people are disadvantaged and do not have the same opportunities. Some people need guidance. I hope that this gives hope to some people in the future. Because I was a kid who desperately sought hope in these threads.
If you are stressed about college applications and if you are wondering if that one dumb mistake you made in high school will prevent you from getting into college, then let me tell you that I have been there before. You will be okay. Just remember, BE HONEST.