<p>I know that cheating isn't tolerated at usna, but before I found out about usna I cheated a little in high school, it wasn't anything extensive. I'm sure I can change this problem this senior year, but what am I suppose to tell my interviewers when they ask about the honor code? They surely can't expect everyone to be perfect, right?</p>
<p>That’s for you to determine, i.e. how you would pursue such a track if it presents itself. It’s tempting to suggest this or that …but this is your dilemma and challenge.</p>
<p>I can’t imagine that an interviewer will ask “Have you ever cheated on a test?” But if they do you’ll have to be honest or you’ve compounded one wrong decision with another.</p>
<p>At my D’s BGO interview, he explained the honor code and particularly how it is somewhat different at the NA than at the others. His purpose was to let her know what to expect and what to respect once there.</p>
<p>Was your cheating a one time thing? Write that off to being young and stupid (we all were both at some point.) If your cheating was pervasive, meaning it affects your qualifications for the Academy (GPA, test scores, subject comprehension, etc) then you have to question if an institution with such a strong honor culture is right for you. I know which way Id vote but youre not my kid and its one that only you (and your parents?) can answer.</p>
<p>it wasn’t like writing answers on my arm or anything. I guess I was just tempted to peek (which didn’t help me at all) but the thing is i guess i tried to and that counts.</p>
<p>It would be ridiculous for any Academy to expect someone to have been perfect before entrance; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. However, it is what you do now with that knowledge that will determine the course of your life. Will you own it and learn from it or not? This doesn’t mean you have to air your dirty laundry at the interview. If questioned however, you must give an honest answer. If asked, you might tell the story about when you cheated, how it made you feel and what you have done to correct the problem.</p>
<p>Many folks seem to continue to foster a notion that a person needs to be as pure as the wind driven snow to gain entrance to an Academy. Hardly. However, you must be willing to face your flaws to correct them. Otherwise, how will you ever become a competent leader?</p>
<p>USNA doesn’t expect every entering mid to be perfect and realizes that some folks come from backgrounds (families, friendships, etc.) where honor may not have been emphasized or an important value. That’s why you get honor training at USNA, both as a plebe and throughout your four years there.</p>
<p>I’ve never asked anyone in an interview whether he/she has ever committed an “honor offense.” I do try to ensure that candidates understand what USNA expects once they’re there and why honor is such an important concept in the military. It is important that candidates who know they personally have been challenged by honor issues realize they have to change their ways at USNA (or any other SAs).</p>
<p>I agree, I don’t ask whether an applicant has committed an honor offense. Rather, there is question for me to answer regarding whether or not we discussed the honor concept with the applicant.</p>
<p>Your last sentence intrigues me.
Does the Academy “expect everyone to be perfect.” I suspect the Academy “expects” everyone to be perfect but not all applicants meet that expectation.</p>
<p>You should understand, however, that many, many, many, MANY applicants are very near perfect with regard to grades [straight "A"s], ranking [maybe not ranked #1 but in or about top 5% of their class], and SAT scores [again, perhaps not “perfect” but many 1450+ applicants. Add in the mix NO allegations of cheating, NO brushes with law enforcement, and NO blemishes on their record, well . . . it makes for an impressive application package. So, I think the Academy does expect “perfect” or “near-perfect” applications. In many districts it gets many of those.</p>
<p>Do less than “perfect” applicants make it in over “perfect” applicants? Absolutely. </p>
<p>I don’t know the circumstances of what you speak and it is difficult to make an evaluation. However, if it is something like “looking over the shoulder of a classmate,” I think the important consideration will be what you may have learned from the experience. This is, potentially, essay types of material. Then it will be question of how well you [and your BGO] are able to explain what you learned from that experience.</p>
<p>The answers here are pretty good. You need to not pretend it didn’t happen and not pretend that it wasn’t a mistake, which is how you sound. A decent reference is here at [Service</a> Academy Admissions - Welcome](<a href=“http://toughestschoolsintheworld.com/]Service”>http://toughestschoolsintheworld.com/) and you can get links to the honor concept. Good luck!</p>
<p>Be prepared to respond, showing you’ve considered this issue seriously and thoughtfully.</p>
<p>I’d recommend no mea culpa in your essay. It’s not necessary.</p>
<p>And especially in light of your initial question, it would mystify why you would bring up the issue. (I know. You did not suggest doing so. Another did.) Were I you, I wouldn’t. Given the chance, allow that sleeping dog to lie…and in the future, don’t.</p>