<p>If anyone has read my previous post, you would know that I made a dumb decision and got caught up shoplifting.
Someone said on that forum that it could be an advantage if I write about it and how it affected me as a person.
Is it a good idea? Or will the college be like 'oh, she stole. Not accepted' automatically?</p>
<p>I think you need to go with what you feel is best. Some schools may be okay with it and some not. I personally wouldn’t do it because of the possible risk of being rejected because of it. But that is just my opinion. Good luck. :)</p>
<p>Another question, lol.
Even if I don’t write about it, won’t they know already that I did shoplift? I don’t know if they ask me if I have ever committed a crime or anything but if they DO know, wouldn’t it be a good idea to write about it so they know how it affected me in a GOOD way? and how I learned from it?</p>
<p>There is a question on the common app or something if I recall asking about if you ever gotten in trouble with the law. If you decide to write about it, remember to focus on how it changed you as a person, don’t dwell on the fact that you shoplifted.</p>
<p>However, if you do have a better idea for an essay, you can explain your little misdemeanor under additional information.</p>
<p>Do not write about your shoplifting incident. You only learned something because you got caught.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t focus on it in your college essay, but as they will see your record I would advise reflecting on the experience in the additional information section.</p>