<p>OK. So I was looking over the Common App to see what kind of info is needed when applying to college. Lo and behold there is a section about disciplinary action. Now my DS was suspended from school because he happened to download a game onto his school computer and was playing it in his computer design class. His reason- he was done with his work and was waiting for the other kids to catch up. His other reason- some of the other boys did the same thing (but they didn't get caught.) I know we could have appealed the suspension but he did what he did, and he needed to take responsibility for it.</p>
<p>When I got the phone call from the assistant principal...my first thought was that my DS was in a fight? Naw, he's not a fighter..... Only when the Principal said that DS was caught downloading a game onto the school computer which is in driect violation of the school code of conduct rules.... did it really sink in. So I went to school and got our DS and read him the riot act all the way home. Boy was he not happy. Our punishment for him was to go online and research what happens when a virus gets onto a school computer. he had to write a two page report about the problems and consequences of viruses. I took his paper to the school the following week and met with the Principal. I told him that we took this as seriously as the school did and this won't happen again. Then I gave him a copy of the paper that DS wrote and informed the Principal that during DS day "off" this was the work he was asigned to do. That he did not stay home all day playing video games or reading books. (Which is what DS initially thought he would be doing....boys!). The Principal thanked me for this and said he would place it in DS record alongside the suspension paperwork.</p>
<p>Now looking over the Common App, I just want to know what would be the best approach to take? He can't "hide" what he did, but what's the best way to show he understands his mistake and that he learned from it? I was thinking that he could attach the paper he worte to the application; but not too sure what the cooleges he's going to apply to will think of this. Is this something that he will be regretting for a long time?</p>
<p>I was suspended a few times in high school, but for the old-fashioned causes… I was a bit of a scrapper. However, I had awesome grades and scores and the colleges I to which I applied didn’t seem to care. Might be a way to reject a borderline applicant, though. If they want to know more, they’ll most likely ask.</p>
<p>Ask the school if they are going to report the suspension on his transcript. Specifically, ask the Principal. For minor incidences, sometimes the school doles out the punishment and then “forgets” about it. For example, at our high school, it is a tradition to have “senior cut day”. The seniors usually plan it on a sunny day in June. They cut school, meet up at a set location, and spend the day hanging out and having fun. They know that the punishment means “one day of in-school suspension”. The school has the kids come back and spend one extra day of school sitting in the cafeteria the day after school officially ends for the year. They don’t record it in their permanent record.</p>
<p>I would report the incident truthfully and completely in the space provided. I don’t think it will adversely affect the application at all. Don’t waste the adcom’s time by sending in that essay.</p>
<p>I really like what you had your S do on his ‘day off’ and applaud you for it. I’m sure he learned quite a bit by that. Maybe someday he’ll go into the computer security field.</p>
<p>ucsd<em>ucla</em>dad We wanted to make sure this stuck in his mind. I had a fit when I heard what he did (I work in the IT field and you wouldn’t believe what people will do). Plus DS response was “they have antivirus protection, what’s the big deal”. After he did this paper- he found out that one school DISTRICT was out of commission for over a week due to a virus that was introduced into their system. Apparently everything was done by computer- lunches, grades, attendance, etc. It really opened his eyes up about the dangers of viruses. Although-- it doesn’t help matters any that his friends in programming class do the same things he got caught doing and they aren’t getting in trouble.</p>
<p>nysmile Great point. I will be sure to ask about the transcript issue.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for all the input. We never planned on trying to hide this, just wanted to see if there was a good way to talk about it.</p>
<p>Also, think about how you want to discuss this with DS. From the way you handled it and he responded, consider just saying, here’s a suggestion re how to address this in your application, versus dwelling on it too much, over analyzing the approaches, or emphazing the mistake. Depending on his outlook, etc., you don’t want him to get discouraged about this in the midst of the whole application process which can be very stressful even with unblemished records! That’s the beauty of CC, you can wring your hands here, then be calm and matter of fact with DS (or try to be, anyway!). Good luck.</p>
<p>I know quite a bit about this topic. This incident will not hurt your son. What year was it? DO find out if it will be reported by the school or if it is, essentially, off his record. If it is off the record, forget about it. If it is on the record, your son should write a brief explanation (no excuses) and state BRIEFLY what he learned from the experience. Do not make it the focus of a main essay.</p>
<p>I agree, make sure if it’s going on his transcript. If not, then no worries. If yes, then ask politely since he’s never been in trouble before or since if they will dismiss it as lesson learned and then he’ll have a clean record.</p>