<p>Hi forumers,
I recently began working on my graduate school applications for fall admission 2008. </p>
<p>Last semester I plagiarized a paper for my International Economics class and it was detected by my professor. As a punitive measure I was placed on academic probation for a year.</p>
<p>Now on practically all grad school applications, there is the question of probation. Should I answer "YES" or lie??</p>
<p>After all how else will these schools know about my probationary record if my recommendations do not allude to it??</p>
<p>Personally, I want to tell the truth...but any suggestions on here would be gladly appreciated.</p>
<p>I think the answer is obvious. You were placed on academic probation because you were caught committing an act of academic dishonesty. And now you are wondering whether you should tell the truth or lie (as you put it) about that incident? Let's put aside for the moment the fact that the academic probation is almost certainly going to be noted on your undergraduate transcript. Let's also put aside for the moment the fact that lying on your graduate school application is grounds for immediate dismissal from the program. If you lie on your graduate school applications about the incident, and it is discovered, don't you think that sends a clear message to the admissions committee that you learned absolutely NOTHING from your experience, not to mention what it says about your character -- or rather the lack of it? Tell them the truth -- it's a no brainer and, more importantly, it's the right thing to do.</p>
<p>I would not only disclose it, I would do everything possible to make it clear that you had learned from the experience and were re-committed to academics. Really, the first thing that came to my mind reading this was, "why would someone who didn't want to do their own work in undergrad want to go through <em>more</em> schooling?" And that's a big impression to work against. Good luck.</p>
<p>And be prepared for it not to be looked upon favorably. Are you applying for masters, PhD, EdD...? I suggest that, whatever you're applying for, you include some lower-ranked masters programs that may cut you some more slack if the rest of your app is very good. If you get in nowhere else, you can do very well in that program and jump to better programs after completion.</p>
<p>I'm guessing neither undergrad or possible grad major is Ethics?</p>
<p>Please, realize you did something completely dishonest. I would agree with DespSeekPhd about the proper path to take. But, I think you might need some counseling because from your original post, it seems like you just don't understand the severity of your actions.</p>
<p>Hmm, don't you guys think you're being too harsh? Everyone makes mistakes. </p>
<p>However, I do agree that lying on your application would almost guarantee immediate denial of admittance. The probation will appear on your undergrad transcripts and be will seen by the schools. It is best that you mention it and do your best to explain the circumstances and show growth and remorse. </p>
<p>I don't think we're being too harsh, we're representing to him that this is a hard thing for schools to get over. Getting into grad school is hard enough without something like that on your record.</p>
<p>larationalist, I was not referring to the advice given. I'm talking about comments like the "ethics major" remark. It is a bit over the top in my opinion. But I do agree with the advice.</p>
<p>Frankly, I don't think plagiarizing a paper falls under the "mistake" category. I think it's stupid and totally dishonest. The fact that it was recent and not, say, first semester freshman year makes it even worse. I don't know the circumstances, but the fact that it led to a year long probation indicates either the plagiarism was extensive or it was not a first offense. Either are inexcusable from a scholarly point of view.</p>
<p>You may not like my opinion, and that's fine. But every prof I know feels the same way, which does not bode well for the OP's grad school application. It may be brutal, but it's the truth. Better to know that be shocked after dropping several hundred dollars on apps with nothing to show for it. I would recommend having a sit-down with your advisor about this situation and ask for honest guidance.</p>
<p>You see, I might have been willing to cut an undergrad some slack about the plagiarism, assuming it was an honest mistake. It is not that rare for people to fail to use quotation marks around a brief passage, or reproduce an argument without proper footnoting. This is particularly common for undergrads, even after a few years, either not being quite careful enough, or not understanding the expectation. After all, a number of well known faculty members have committed apparently inadvertent plagiarism as well.</p>
<p>However, the question "Should I lie about being caught lying?" really throws me for a loop. </p>
<p>Please think this over. Consider taking some time off after college and make sure the academic world is for you. Right now you are playing with career suicide, and I agree that it is troubling that you seem unconcerned.</p>
<p>I don't know how your official transcript looks, but I'm sure for my school it will show a Q or F (I'm not sure what other letters there are to represent it) which sometimes indicate Academic Dishonesty. So either way they will know. I would suggest you bring it up to show that you're an honest person.</p>
<p>Your journey through the School of Hard Knocks will be shorter if you own up to the mistake you made, and dealing with the consequences. A further mistruth will only extend the time you will be paying for that mistake, as it will show up on your transcript/record. You do need to face the fact it occured, learn from it, and try to impress upon others that you did learn and mature from it. It isn't going to go away.</p>
<p>I’m going through the same situation, OP. Let me know how that goes as far as what school does accept you in the future, I’m really concerned about my future. I think it’s horrible to have one mistake possibly ruin your future (and throughout your WHOLE life you will have to explain this). Even criminal records get expunged over time! I didn’t even think I was doing anything wrong when I wrote it, didn’t know it was plagiarism. It looked purposeful and it wasn’t. Some people continue to make mistakes others learn and feel remorse. I actually made a honest mistake and forgot to quote a few things even though I cited it and got dismissed. Biggest mistake in my life! I don’t have any excuse and I know I should suffer the consequences for what I did. Although, I do not think I should suffer for the rest of my life by it being on my permanent record. I’m in college because I want to better myself and I’m learning everyday! College meant the world to me! I wish students were more educated on what constitutes as plagiarism and its consequences. It’s like its taboo to talk about plagiarism. For those of you who want to judge, I’m sure you have made big mistakes in your life or you have done something that you’re not proud of or did something stupid at one point or another, it’s a part of growing as a person, its life. I do agree with what most of you say though as far as owning up to mistakes. I will never lie but I understand considering it because I was afraid that I won’t have a future either way. I’m afraid I wont have the opportunity to go school again because I might be stuck working at Mc. Donald’s for the rest of my life (metaphor). Others won’t be so forgiving even after you know you have learned. They may see plagiarism on your transcript and don’t want to see your side and give no second chances. What if I can’t get into another school and I’m stuck. All my dreams are lost. I never saw this happening. My advice: learn what plagiarism is and there are many definitions and AVOID at all cost, NEVER make this mistake, it’s not worth it.</p>
<p>continued: It’s very wrong to plagiarize and I’m not trying to make light of a very serious issue but it happens without it being intentional sometimes. The lucky ones who were warned and taught about it are lucky! It’s hard to move on when it follows you everywhere (on your transcript) for the rest of your life. Any advice is welcomed and appreciated for me too! since this is a old post OP please tell me if you got into college?</p>
<p>Im in the process of writing an appeal to Carlos Albizu University (PsyD program), it was my second semester in graduate school. My ethics teacher didnt even go over plagiarism and what it is (only not to do it, in which i never thought i would).</p>
<p>My advice is to definitely not say this “My ethics teacher didnt even go over plagiarism and what it is (only not to do it, in which i never thought i would)” in your appeal. They don’t expect you to know absolutely nothing when you come in to graduate school, there is an extremely reasonable expectation that a graduate student will know what plagiarism is and how to avoid it. Take responsibility, don’t make any excuses, even if you want to equivocate, it will only make you look worse. Good luck and I’m sure you’ll never do it again.</p>