<p>I recently got a ticket for open container in public which escalated into an underage drinking charge in court. I drink maybe once every 2-3 months so I don't think this reflects my character as a person at all, but alas, I was convicted and to my knowledge it's on my record. The common app tells me to report any misdemeanor, and I'm REALLY nervous that they're going to see this underage drinking charge and think I'm some party student or something.</p>
<p>I'm a CS major hoping to transfer to USC, and while I don't think any other part of my application would reflect me as that kind of person aside from that charge, I'm still really worried. I am going to attempt to appeal it and get the charge down to something not as serious, but if that doesn't work out, how much worse off will my application be viewed?</p>