<p>I recently got caught cheating on my bio IA. Well, I didn't exactly get caught... I more turned myself in. I was feeling extremely guilty and sent an email to my teacher explaining that I made up some of my data points because they didn't fit the trend I wanted and now the administrators are discussing what to do.
They don't have a decision for me but I'm extremely nervous. They said at the least I will receive a 0 for the IA, and the last time someone made up data for an IA they were marked "missing", had to pay the IB course fee and were not allowed to take the exam. It wasn't clear to me whether it went on their transcripts or if colleges were notified.</p>
<p>I am fully willing to accept any penalty that might come from this. This was the first time I've ever cheated and I feel horrible about it. I'm nervously awaiting a decision but I have never been more scared in my life that they will notify VT or worse- it will go on my transcript- and I'll be rescinded from VT and the rest of my accepted colleges and it will haunt me for the rest of my life and I won't be able to follow out the big plans I have for myself :(
What should I do?!? I can't eat or sleep and I've thrown up twice!</p>
<p>Wow, this is a stressful event for you. I am impressed that you turned yourself in, that should count for something in my book. Good luck to you, please keep us posted here. </p>
<p>It was very courageous of you to admit your wrongdoing, and you likely did yourself a favor by self-reporting and being willing to accept the consequences. While most schools have written policies about cheating, few address what will happen to a student you voluntarily admits to cheating. Whatever the consequences I’m sure it would have been worse for you if you were caught, as opposed to turning yourself in. </p>
<p>Also, realize that whatever does happen won’t haunt you as much as it would have had you gotten away with the cheating. Think about that: your sense of guilt is a good sign that you are a decent and honorable person - so you would feel MUCH worse if you hadn’t have confessed and be facing the music right now. You will get through this. </p>
<p>When will your school notify you of their decision? Hopefully soon, because if you are disciplined you need to immediately notify the schools that admitted you and let them know. If you do this I doubt you will be rescinded.<br>
Let us know what happens - </p>
<p>You’d be surprised at how much turning yourself ends up mattering. I doubt the school will contact VT or any of the other schools you were accepted to. Most likely you will be removed from the class without receiving credit and the decision to notify the college or not will be left up to you. Administrators can be quite forgiving when one comes forward of their own volition and they have no record of any prior offenses. Try to keep your head up, yes?</p>