When I was a freshman I plagiarized on an assignment and I got a 0 and had to rewrite the essay for a new grade for it. I talked with the assistant principal and they sent a small letter home they just said I was in trouble. I asked to see my transcript from my counselor and nothing about it was on it. Also on my comments from my report card in freshman year the teacher did not say anything.
I have a 1530 SAT
3.8 GPA UW
Good AP scores and I’ve taken 8 AP classes
Also good Extra curriculars
Can I still get into a good college such as U Michigan, Duke, or Georgetown?
I am a fellow HSer as well but I know some kids who plagiarised so I may have a tad of expertise in this area.
If it is not on your transcript, you should be fine.
Normally, a plagiarism offense will be handled a lot more severely with sometimes even an ISS being issued. If this is your first time plagiarising, the teacher might have let it go as you are/were only a freshman.
BUT, remember, schools like the ones you want to attend especially Duke and Georgetown are going to be difficult even with those stats. Be hopeful, not expecting. Good luck!
Completely forgot to say this the first time but: I hope that you will not consider plagiarizing in the future. I have seen fist-hand how bad the consequences can be from classmates.
If it’s not on your record, it should be fine. Some schools are more severe than others. My own feeling is that a first offense should bring a warning and further education. Schools have an obligation to educate students thoroughly. I am glad your school was on the side of leniency. Sounds like the rest of your high school years went well. Good luck!
Is there a way to find out for sure if its not on my permanent record or something like that? I just want to be 100% because in common app if i say that i was never in trouble and it ends up that I was I will be denied from every school
Let me ask this, did you plagiarize heavily? If it was a paper that you copied off the internet word for word then I would leave it off of common app as your transcript is blank. BUT, if it was a minor offense (i.e. Referencing incorrectly, few sentences copied), I might just tell them that you learned a valuable life lesson. Remember, colleges & uni’s want to see change. They do not necessarily want to see perfection. As long as you show that you have learned your lesson, you should be fine. Better in Freshmen year than your college thesis!
You are worried about nothing. But - this might make a great essay topic - several have individual - tell me about a time you faced adversity - how did you handle it.
You might think - why would I tell them that? Actually, it’s a great thing - to mess up, acknowledge, state why, and how you’ve corrected.
You could get into those schools - depending on major - but it’s unlikely - as it is for most anyone. But if you do or don’t it won’t be dependent on you Freshman instance.
A 3.8 UW might be a tad low - but as long as you create a list of reach (those 3), target (say a Rochester, Ohio State, Brandeis) and safety - and there’s a ton of great safety schools - Pitt, ASU and U of SC which both have tops Honors programs.
And then there’s money - how’s that fare.
Good luck - and don’t fall in love with any school.
And by the way, all schools are or can be good - so don’t be sold on the I most go to that level of school or I will fail in life - that’s ridiculous.
@student_999: Whether or not you can still be admitted to an elite college or university may well depend upon how you handle any application question regarding academic dishonesty or school discipline.
Obviously, if you can respond “no” to any such related inquiry, then you are fine.
But, if you reveal this matter, then it may or may not affect your candidacy for admission based upon the facts & circumstances as revealed by you to any college or university.
If it comes up in the application (does it?) then a brief explanation is fine. I would not write an essay on this. It was freshman year and one would hope you have better topics after these years of high school
If you DO have to reveal (which I doubt, and consult your guidance counselor if you are unsure) then you can write a very brief explanation of what you did and what you learned in the supplementary essay that gives space for whatever else you want the college to know.
I suppose if it comes up you could ask the admissions office too. But I doubt there is any need. I understand you don’t want to lie. Your current desire to be honest will override any concerns about your mistake in freshman year, believe me.
Definitely true about the essay. Although it is definitely not the BEST subject to write about, depending on the question, it can be a suitable experience to write about.
How should I email my counselor asking about this? Also if my counselor didnt know about this would he talk about it on my recommendation letter if I did bring it up asking him?
Great if there is no chance of being asked on the Common App, then just forget about it. And if your guidance counselor doesn’t know about it, no need to bring it up.
It’s clearly not on your record. Sounds like you can let it go. (And don’t write an essay about it, I would say!)
Since it is not on the transcript, I believe nothing should come of it. Also, was this a final/large paper? Sometimes larger papers may have some harsher consequences.
how would i know if my guidance counselor knows or doesnt? i never asked but im scared to because if he didnt know then he will maybe write about it in my reccomendation
