helppp, shoplifitng

Applying to College
1

<p>Okay so I'm going to be a HS senior, graduating in 2014, applying to colleges later this year. I'm honestly a good kid, I don't drink or smoke, at least 250 hours of community service, 3.8 GPA, 1950 on the SAT, 29 on the ACT (I'm studying this summer so those will hopefully improve)...but I did something really, really, really stupid. I just wanted to do something bad for once so I shoplifted. It is easily the stupidest, most senseless thing I've ever done and I've never regretted anything more...just thinking about it makes my stomach turn. It goes against everything I stand for and the way that my parents raised me and I've been beating myself up for it for weeks. Anyways, I was caught and the court date is in September...the state that I'm in treats kids my age as an adult (I'm 17), this was my first offense but I'm so terrified that it'll ruin my chances of getting into the colleges I've been dreaming of (NYU/Columbia). I wasn't convicted yet, as I said that court date is in September, but even if I don't, will colleges see that I've been under investigation and not want me? There is this program that basically retracts the charge and makes it so that your record is clean if you complete an educational program but only after 6 months (possibly one year in the state that I'm in) and during those months your status is "under investigation" or something. The issue is that during those months, I would be applying to colleges. Would this affect me in anyway? I'm so scared.</p>

2

<p>I think it will be an issue if you are charged in some way for the shoplifting, so really there is nothing you can do right now. Also I suggest coming up with a mature explanation (as well as what you have learned from the experience), simply saying that you wanted to do something bad and now regret it won’t be enough.</p>

3

<p>If you are charged, it will definitely be an issue - I’m not going to lecture you about shoplifting because it sounds like you genuinely regret it and probably won’t do it again. However, now it’s time to move forward. Do what you can to get it off your record so you don’t have to report it on your CommonApp. However, I will say that with those scores - your GPA, SAT, and ACT, you’re within range for NYU…sort of, but not in range at all for Columbia unless you have some out-of-this-world EC.</p>

4

<p>Go directly to the CA and read what it says:</p>

<p><a href=“https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/Docs/DownloadForms/2013/2013AppFY_download.pdf[/url]”>https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/Docs/DownloadForms/2013/2013AppFY_download.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>The way I read it, if you apply before you are ‘adjudicated guilty’, you would not have to answer yes. However, if you are later ‘adjudicated guilty’, you would need to update all of the schools, which could possibly affect your admissions, both pre and post decision.</p>

5

<p>Does the object have to be expensive to be charged? Do they actually take a 17 year old to court for stealing something like lip gloss?</p>

6

<p>A seventeen year old can be charged no matter what the price of the object. Hopefully they will be lenient though</p>

7

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<p>It would definitely affect you and should surely ruin your chances of getting into Columbia/NYU. Most of their applicants haven’t shoplifted. </p>

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<p>It’s really hard not to agree with you. </p>

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<p>If you can’t do the time, don’t do the crime. </p>

<p>Seriously. You’re responsible for your actions. Deal with it. Many inner city minorities are locked up for this stuff all the time. Why should you get any more leniency than they do?</p>

<p>Take responsibility, take your punishment, pay your debt to society, and be grateful for whatever comes your way in the future.</p>

8

<p>An attorney may be very helpful to you, particularly with regard to possibilities that may keep this off your record. </p>

<p>This is not just about college, it will also be on every graduate school, medical school, law school, teachers application, civil service job, basically any future job or training application you fill out. “Have you ever been convicted of a crime?”</p>

<p>For those reading this post and not yet in this predicament, do your self a huge favor and do not commit a crime - ever.</p>