<p>I made a very dumb decision my sophomore year, and ended up being suspended for 10 days, it would have been reduced to 5 if I had completed a program, but that would have cost thousands of dollars, which in my opinion was not worth it. I decided to go to a community college for two years, this is my first year, and I would like to become a high school English teacher. I know that they ask me on basically every college app I fill out the "have you ever been suspended?" question. If I check "no" is there any way that they would find out I am lying, do they really actually check if every single student is telling the truth on that question? Also, would this show up on a high school transcript? The University I want to go to will only ask me for my college transcript and disregard high school grades, so I feel like that would play it safe. I really need advice, be as brutally truthful as you'd like, I think it's so unfair how a decision I made when I was barely 15 could potentially ruin my whole life. </p>
<p>Yes they would find out, and it may show up on a transcript. It really shouldn’t be that big of a deal for it to be on there, as long as you show that you’ve matured during your time at CC.</p>
<p>“I think it’s so unfair how a decision I made when I was barely 15 could potentially ruin my whole life.”</p>
<p>Lying now would be a far worse decision, and you’re no longer fifteen. </p>
<p>I have been reading many other posts from people who have the same problem as myself, and I do plan to write an essay explaining the circumstances, I’m just afraid of denial. It was a drug related issue if that makes a difference. The schools I’m looking at are not Ivy League as well. What are some good points to highlight in my essay?</p>
<p>Thanks for asking. Were I writing this essay, I’d:
- First, indicate – without equivocation and assuming full responsibility – that what I did was wrong, stupid, and potentially dangerous (to others and to me) . . . I may be laying this on a just slightly too thickly, but you get the idea.
- Next, after that BRIEF introduction, I’d explain precisely what I LEARNED from this incident . . . three to five major things, no more, so you have adequate word-count to discuss each somewhat thoroughly.
- Finally, I’d conclude with two ideas: (a) I am a better, wiser person for this and (b) through DIFFICULT experience, I now fully understand that youngsters will make foolish errors, BUT these mistakes create substantial opportunities for self-improvment, and this critical EDUCATION can be every bit as important as formal/classroom acquired knowledge. </p>
<p>I sincerely believe the foregoing outline can make this incident a “positive” in your application. None of us live lives without blunders, especially during our teens (and, perhaps, our early twenties). You’ve learned and improved from this; these people are educators and that should resonate with them. </p>
<p>I wish you good luck. </p>
<p>You basically just need to be truthful and humble about it. Do NOT make excuses or blame others. Accept responsibility, say you made a stupid mistake, and that you learned from the experience. Ideally you really did: think back on it. How did that event change how you behaved in the future? Did it affect any other people, family or friends in a way that made you realize your actions affected others? Etc. Think about how that event shaped the person you became. It does not have to be really deep or heavy. Just a short paragraph is all you need.</p>
<p>Colleges know that 15 year olds do dumb things. I know kids who were suspended sophomore year who were accepted at very selective colleges.</p>
<p>Schools realize young students do dumb things and see this is an opportunity for you to right yourself. And drug offenses are not exactly unusual.</p>
<p>Also, on the report that your college or guidance counsellor writes for you, they have to say whether or not you’ve had to appear before a disciplinary committee/been suspended etc., so if your counsellor answers “yes” and you answer “no”, that’s going to be a huge issue.</p>
<p>Also, responding with a “yes” allows you to put it all into your own words and gives you a chance to soften the impact.</p>
<p>It won’t ‘ruin’ your life.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for the support and ideas, the outline helps me out a lot. </p>