<p>You’re not necessarily placing blame on others when you say peer pressure, are you? It’s the situation OP is trying to explain away. lol…
*Maybe OP was trying to fit in with the “cool” kids.
– That’s understandable.
*OP took full responsibility for his action and has learned from his mistakes.
–That demonstrates personal growth and maturity.</p>
<p>“Ad coms are adults. They are now pretty far away from that…”</p>
<p>I am sure some of these ad coms have children who fell into the wrong crowd and did foolish things. They’ll understand mistakes are just what they are: mistakes. I believe it’s human nature to forgive and give 2nd chances. </p>
<p>You are missing the point. You want the OP to “explain away” his/her mistake. That is not what an admissions officer wants. They want some true self reflection and actual action to show change. And they have lots of candidates who didn’t make those mistakes – why should they give an admissions slot to someone who did? Your attitude of “Oh, it was a mistake, and everyone makes them, and I was just giving in to peer pressure anyway and trying to fit in with the cool kids, so give me a pass and let me in” isn’t going to help the OP. While ad coms do know that people make mistakes, their job is to make sure that those mistakes don’t carry over onto campus. Your advice does nothing to reassure the ad com that this won’t happen.</p>
<p>I also wrote this:</p>
<p>*OP took full responsibility for his action and has learned from his mistakes.
–That demonstrates personal growth and maturity.</p>
<p>Agree with intparent. You don’t just “tell” that you take responsibility and have remorse. You show it through the actions since then. </p>
<p>And remember, OP said nursing, a field that requires focus, good judgment, maturity, reliability, etc. Some programs are pretty competitive to get into. </p>
<p>So I’d ask OP what she’s been doing, whether she got active in some hard work aimed at helping others, what positive track record she offers that “shows” the qualities a nursing program wants. Not just the easy stuff and not just what seem to be the right words.</p>
<p>^^ Exactly. The whole thing is analogous to students who have low grades during junior year and try to explain it away by saying, “I’ve learned my lesson and I promise to do better.” Without proof of action, there is no reason to believe it.</p>
<p>I heard similar stuff when I sat on my school’s Academic Standards Committee. A student who was caught cheating would cry and swear he’d learned his lesson. And I would think, “Really? Why should I believe those tears show genuine remorse instead of ordinary fear that you’re going to get dismissed?”</p>
<p>I have to disagree with almost everyone here. The OP should say no more than what is specifically required on an application. If there is no question on a state college’s application, then volunteer nothing. For other applications, provide a simple, formulaic answer, e.g. “10-day suspension as freshman for violating school regulation.” The school letter will probably address the fact that the student has matured considerably, unless he or she has not. I think that the old admonition to “volunteer nothing” is critical. Does the OP have a good rapport with the school’s guidance/college counselor? Some colleges will call high schools for clarification of a student’s disciplinary record. Can the OP expect support from his high school’s offices? </p>
<p>You guys are hard, but okay. I see your points.</p>
<p>I also agree with @woogzmama. Sounds like a true lawyer. lol</p>