How do colleges look at students with disciplinary problems?

<p>Do colleges even receive a copy of the disciplinary records, would colleges see an expulsion or is that considered private. I understand that certain people are less likely to write you recommendations and stuff like that but does a college ever get to actually find out that you were expelled or had disciplinary problems? If you get kicked out of the school system and than transfer to another school system with the right grades and scores, etc. can you still get into the college you want to? </p>

<p>Thanks for any assistance.</p>

<p>There are a number of questions on college applications regarding disciplinary issues in school as well as misdemeanors and.or felonies with larger law enforcement. You most definitely will have to disclose that happened and how you have resolved to overcome or what have you. No one can predict how that will affect you going into college and I honestly believe they would like at these things on a case by case basis.</p>

<p>But I would guess truant, troublemaking kids would not be a college's first pick.</p>

<p>High school policies will vary, of course. A high school typically wouldn't mark "tickets" on a transcript, but might note offenses of the nature that would concern a college; e.g., suspension (and the high school counselor is expected to notify the college of such disciplinary concerns).</p>

<p>Expulsion definitely isn't good. You do have to disclose it on a college app. It would be part of your high school record too -- so even if you intended to deceive a target college, it's doubtful you could get a high school transcript that doesn't note the expulsion. On the app, you're also asked to explain the incident. Be truthful; they're likely to follow up with the high school to get the other side of the story.</p>

<p>Probably the best thing you could do in an expulsion situation is ask the high school's administration whether they'd allow you to withdraw instead of expelling you. If the actionable incident was criminal or violent, they'll probably say no; if it was cheating or a series of small offenses, they might allow a withdrawal.</p>

<p>Asking to withdraw doesn't help. It still has to be disclosed. I know several kids who are at Ivy schools who were expelled from a high school. It all depends on the reason and how you changed after the expulsion. It also helps if it was earlier in high school rather than later. If it is for bringing a gun to school, cheating or selling drugs, your chances aren't good. Otherwise, you can bounce back.</p>

<p>MomofWildChild are you saying that even if the principle can be convinced to not expel you and let you withdraw you still have to disclose that you would have been expelled had you not withdrawn? And it would be in Junior year, about half way through. For threatening school personnel. Assuming that it doesn't result in expulsion would one still have to reveal what they did and would the college attempt to verify everything with the high school. And what if the student went into home schooling? </p>

<p>Where are you in the mid south if you don't mind me asking. I only inquire because I live n Memphis Tennessee and am wondering if you actually have any first hand experience with the MCS system. </p>

<p>Thanks for any help.</p>

<p>I am not in Memphis. Some forms ask about expulsion or involuntary withdrawals. You will still need transcripts and reports from the school. If you got some counseling perhaps the incident can be explained. State schools might not ask the question.</p>

<p>

In our school, cheating is grounds for expulsion; however, a handful of families have been given the option to withdraw immediately instead. The withdrawal is voluntary, the student must leave immediately and never return, and (as far as I know) the reason for the withdrawal is not a part of the student's record. Students who are disciplined for a crime, fighting, or a "health and safety violation" don't have that option; they face expulsion hearings before the Board. But we don't see the cheaters. I don't know of any cheaters who haven't chosen to withdraw.</p>

<p>Threatening a faculty member would be a "health and safety violation," and the student would probably be escorted off the premises in handcuffs. Either the local police's cuffs or the ones a teacher carries. ;)</p>

<p>My daughter was expelled from her private h.s. two weeks before graduation for a substance abuse issue (failed drug test).</p>

<p>She had already been accepted to the college of her choice prior to the offense, so there was no event that forced us to disclose this information. However, we could have, and chose not to. The college found out anyway.</p>

<p>Luckily, we had taken her situation very seriously, as indication of a possible substance dependency problem, and throughout the summer prior to college we tried to work through it.</p>

<p>When my d. entered college, the dean of admissions wanted to hear the whole story, including what she had done to address the problem. He made the decision to allow her to enter, and she was able to continue on with her college as planned, but it was a very close call.</p>

<p>I'm not sure how much of this fits your situation, jjsamson92. I hope there is something you find useful.</p>

<p>Here is a good article on this topic:
Covering</a> Up or Scaring Off? :: Inside Higher Ed :: Higher Education's Source for News, Views and Jobs</p>