Getting into Grad School with Drug Charge

Graduate School
1

<p>I have recently been charged with possession of marijuana, a misdemeanor in Texas. This was my first crime/arrest ever, but it can not be expunged due to unfortunate Texas laws.</p>

<p>I wish to apply to computer science masters programs, namely at Stanford and UC Berkeley. Will these schools care about the charge? Do they even ask? How will it affect my chance of admission? I may be very wrong, but I feel like California schools will not care as much about a marijuana charge since marijuana is practically legal in California anyways. </p>

<p>I am otherwise a very strong candidate. 3.7 GPA (higher for comp sci only) from top 20 school, many years research experience (including co-authoring a few papers), many semesters teaching assistant experience, very solid rec letters from professors I did research with or TAd for, and internships at a research lab, a startup, and a large company. I project I will do well on the GREs.</p>

<p>I do not wish for all of my hard work to be put in vain just because of a silly marijuana charge. </p>

<p>If anyone here happens to know the answer, this question perhaps extends to CS companies in silicon valley, both startups and the big ones (Google, etc.).</p>

2

<p>Marijuana is not “practically legal in California.” In many places, marijuana use is considered a low-priority enforcement situation, but it is still a crime to possess or use and you can still be arrested and convicted.</p>

<p>Grad schools won’t care, but your financial aid situation may be impacted. Are you currently enrolled in college and taking out federal loans or Pell Grants? If so, you will be barred from taking out federal student loans for a period of one year, unless you complete an approved drug rehabilitation program.</p>