<p>I am sending in applications for transfer in just a few weeks and I've decided to respond to one of my essays using a negitive past experience that has enlightened me...the only issue is, that past experience is being suspended from my first college (for non academic reasons).</p>
<p>my question is then, if the colleges I'm going to apply to will already know about the situation through my application, is there any more harm discussing the situation and how it has been extremly motivating? I've never written any sort of application essay and I understand that many of you haven't either but does anyone have any good reasons NOT to write about this?</p>
<p>Without reading the essay, it is quite difficult to evaluate whether or not the topic will harm your chances for admission.</p>
<p>I'd prefer not to send it but it's in response to "state a person, time, or whatever that has had a large impact on your life"</p>
<p>it's basically starts with a short section on highschool, then to college, then how my thoughts, actions, and responsibility towards myself have changed positively. I figured I could let enough of "me" come through when writing something I'm actually being honest about, other than make up something trite and boring. I'm assuming that the colleges I'm applying to don't recieve many essays like this either, but with my circumstances I'm not going to avoid that fact that the suspension happened. might as well embrace it.</p>
<p>You have just answered your own question. If the nature of your infraction which resulted in a suspension could pose a threat to other students, e.g. a weapon on campus, or illegal activity, e.g. illicit drug sales, then it may harm your chances of admission if you highlight it. Learning from a suspension due to an honor code violation, such as cheating on a test, may be an appropriate essay topic which may not harm you. A topic involving underage drinking will not harm you unless it involved a DUI/DWI or a schoolwide brawl. Since you were suspended, I assume that the drinking occurred on school grounds; and that raises safety concerns which can harm your chances, especially if you supplied the alcohol to other underage drinkers. The topic itself will not help you. Tough area. Good luck!</p>
<p>well, it was due to drinking underage. I know it's sort of a touchy subject and I'm sure not every person will think its the right topic but does it sound like wrong topic?</p>
<p>actually, the drinking occured off campus in both instances but I was on campus while still intoxicated if that means anything.</p>
<p>It also may depend on the college or university to which you are applying, and whether or not you intend to live on campus (more school liability). Many colleges are cracking down on drinking due to emergency room admissions and drinking related fatalities. Off campus drinking is less of a concern unless you were driving under the influence on campus. There is no easy answer. Try to have a teacher proof read and critique your essay before submitting it.</p>
<p>thats a great idea. I have a professor from the University of Pittsburgh and Duquene looking at it at the end of the week. I think I will mainly discuss how it has effected me and my change in this essay.</p>
<p>there is a separate piece discribing the incident so I will be sure to explain that it was off campus and no driving was involved and all of those liability issues. I'm also applying to two pretty 'liberal' liberal arts schools so hopefully they really read the essay and take my application as a whole.</p>
<p>thanks for the input.</p>