<p>PLEASE HELP! Mistake on application could cost me admissions advice please!
I was recently accepted to UNC and today when I was looking at the community standards form I realized I had made a critical error. A little over a year ago I made a careless, stupid, and wrekcless mistake; driving home from a new years party and I was arrested and received a D.W.A.I. The reason I didn't put this on my application was because in my haste to complete it I didn't realize you had to submit all alcohol related incidents whether they were criminal, felony or not. My lawyer told me a D.W.A.I is a violation, not a crime or a felony and to never disclose that I was convicted of either/ or. My question now, is the fact I failed to put it on the original app, was accepted and submitted my deposit for enrollment am I going to get my acceptance rescinded when I submit the information requested on the community standards form? I'm going to come clean because I don't believe in lying and I don't want the thought of that catching up with me in the back of my mind at all times. I was wondering if anyone who has been in this situation before can forewarn me of what's going to happen. Or if someone who works with admissions can tell me. I just simply want to prepare myself for a rejection. Please no lectures, I'm fully aware of what I did and am deeply ashamed and completely abstain from alcohol since that incident occurred. Also, I am living proof that even if you never drink, it only takes one mistake at one party to haunt you for the rest of your life, and possibly harm others. Educate yourself on alcohol consumption, because the year before I went to the same party and slept there because I was too drunk to drive. One year later I honestly thought I was sober when I got behind the wheel. Thank you everyone.</p>
<p>Im sorry to hear that you are in this position. You could consider writing your college an email (perhaps anonymously, at first) asking them what to do. Keep in mind that I am not an expert and I may be not be giving you good advice.</p>
<p>You should also wait for other users to reply. Good luck.</p>
<p>How was the application worded? Assuming a DWAI is only a violation, not a crime, if it was to be worded like “Have you ever been convicted or plead guilty to a crime of any kind”, I would say no because a DWAI (I’m taking you & your lawyer’s word on this) is a violation, not a crime once again. You’re not lying if they asked if you been convicted of a crime, because it isn’t one. So i would think that they would rescind your acceptance. This is just my take on it. I been throught the legal system before, because I’ve made a mistake like you that got me in some trouble. Luckily, I’m able to get it sealed once I turn 17. Go talk about your counselor about it and explain to them the situation. Maybe they can help.</p>
<p>Like all other criminal history inquiries on the commonapp it asked if I was ever convicted of a crime or felony. In my haste to fill out the app, I misinterpreted a portion that was in italics, completely unique to the carolina commonapp supplement that says you must disclose all alcohol related incidents whether they are criminal, felony or not. My plan as of now is to write out an explanation explaining the situation, get a disposition and drive 900 miles to UNC and deliver it in person and ask to speak to whomever I need to in person. Furthermore,I plan to explain this was an honest mistake and I never intended to be dishonest. I’m just praying they don’t rescind my admissions, carolina has been my dream school for years and it would be a shame to get rejected over a stupid, idiotic,careless mistake that’s going to follow me for the rest of my life. What would you guys think if you were admissions? I just hope they don’t think this was intentional.</p>
<p>P.S. It is not a misdemeanor, felony. I was told by my lawyer that it is the legal equivalent to a really bad speeding ticket. Additionally, I was told to never disclose if asked if I have ever committed a crime or felony.</p>
<p>In the long run, being ethical is an important characteristic and valued in the big picture of things. Remember you are a college student applying to college and with that said you will be granted consideration as a young adult. Hence why you received a violation/infraction. (btw…I agree with habitatkid54 posts) It sounds like you are sincerely sorry and I am sure if you talk to anyone that will come across. My only advice is I would definitely hold back on documenting the incident in question in writing, i.e. a letter to the school or in an essay, unless it is required. </p>
<p>I agree with your lawyer. But it is bothering you, but you are on the right track, collecting information to help you make an informed decision. Have you tried calling another admissions officer at another school directly and asking hypotheticals? </p>
<p>If you do decide that it’s best to talk to someone at the school, I would recommend having an open conversation with whomever you are referred to. (keep it light and simple) You may be pleasantly surprised, they will acknowledge it, appreciate you being up front and concerned, and then you can move on. By the way, I wouldn’t offer you essay up front, talk to them first, if they want you to write an essay or document it, update your application or add an addendum - they will ask you. You will not be faulted for trying to do the right thing, but remember be smart about it - remember the turtle and the hare, steady and slow wins the race. 
Feel better, you’ll be great. Best to you.</p>
<p>I think that most schools, when seeing incidents, are really looking to see how the individual has handled the incident. If you show the passion and conviction of learning your lesson (that you did in your post above), it would seem that the college would not rescind an admission. However, I agree that calling and asking without identifying yourself first might be the best approach. Just explain what happened and ask what you should do. Best of luck.</p>
<p>Common App:</p>
<p>“Have you ever been adjudicated guilty or convicted of a misdemeanor, felony, or other crime? P Yes P No [Note that you are not required to answer yes to this question, or provide an explanation, if the criminal adjudication or conviction has been expunged, sealed, annulled, pardoned, destroyed, erased, impounded, or otherwise ordered by a court to be kept confidential.]”</p>
<p>“Additionally, I was told to never disclose if asked if I have ever committed a crime or felony.” Hmm. It depends on the wording of the question.</p>
<p>There are a lot of issues here. The first is state law. For example in NY, DWAI is not a misdemeanor. Technically any traffic ticket is a “crime”. So DWAI (or a speeding ticket) should fall under the category of “other crime.” Was this on your driving record at the time you filed your application? If it was then it wasn’t expunged, sealed, etc. Generally, records of traffic violations are kept for three years and then get destroyed. However, if you were under the age of 18 when this occurred, then there can be issues about it being held confidential except to police officers.</p>
<p>Lastly the common app doesn’t define the words “other crime” or say “include traffic violations.” However, you had to get a lawyer and go to court. Remember?</p>
<p>You could approach UNC by saying you were not certain about reporting traffic violations.</p>
<p>I would highly reccommend having your attorney look this over before you make any moves at all.</p>
<p>First and foremost. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this discussion, I really appreciate all of your help. Secondarily, I think I’ve come to the conclusion that I will have documents prepared, get on a suit, get a haircut, drive down to UNC and walk right into admissions and explain to them the situation. It says if answering yes, you will need a disposition from the court and a written explanation of your actions. I plan to explain to them that this was a mistake and I never intended to be dishonest in anyway. I’ll explain to them how I had a few drinks at a party and was speaking coherently and walking perfectly when I left the party(my friends would never have let me drive, hence the year before I slept over). Furthermore, I’ll explain how my failure to educate myself on the effects of alcohol and how the standard “A few drinks with dinner is fine” is completely incorrect, especially so for someone who doesn’t drink habitually and has a low tolerance to alcohol. Although I might feel fine and appear fine, my blood alcohol content was not and unknowingly I had a terrible lapse in judgement that is inexcusable. I’ll go on to explain how I received the minimum punishment allotted for such a crime: attending a victim impact panel and drunk driving classes for two months, a 90 day license suspension, and numerous fines. I plan to have this all prepared and hand them what they need as they ask for it. I’m not going to try and downplay what I did at all. Most people who I identify as critical thinkers that have already been through college are saying I should be perfectly fine if I’m honest. The only thing they see as a problem is the fact it happened a little over a year ago and I failed to realize on the original app that it was necessary to disclose. However, they do (just like you guys have said)say the situation is very tricky and it is understandable, given my situation to have misinterpreted what I needed to disclose. I’ve never been given a speeding ticket before so I’m not familiar with the fact that any ticket is technically a criminal offense. I’m a non-traditional student that comes from a stellar military background, so chalking this is to being young and dumb isn’t a good route. Ultimately, I’ve determined it’s best to tackle this head on and show them it was a lapse in otherwise sound judgement and character due to stupid assumptions derived from pre-concieved misconceptions about alcohol. I honestly, from the bottom of my heart felt terrible for what I did, and fortunately I was able to learn my lesson without harming someone else in the process. Any final thoughts???</p>
<p>Look here on UNC application supplement:</p>
<p><a href=“http://admissions.unc.edu/pdf/UNC_CA_Supplement_FYR.pdf[/url]”>http://admissions.unc.edu/pdf/UNC_CA_Supplement_FYR.pdf</a></p>
<p>"For the purpose of the following questions, crime or criminal charge refers to any crime other than a traffic-related misdemeanor or an infraction. You must, however, include alcohol or drug offenses whether or not they are traffic-related.
- Have you entered a plea of no contest or nolo contendere, or an Alford plea, to a misdemeanor, felony, or other criminal charge; or received a deferred prosecution or prayer for judgment continued for such a charge; or otherwise accepted responsibility for such a crime? __ Yes __ No
[Note that you are not required to answer yes to this question or provide an explanation, if the criminal adjudication or conviction has been expunged, sealed, annulled, pardoned, destroyed, erased, impounded, or otherwise ordered by a court to be kept confidential.]"</p>
<p>Yes, in my haste I unfortunately misinterpreted the line about reporting all alcohol offenses. I noticed when i download the community standards app and it was written in bold and impossible to miss. I had filled out a bunch of apps before hand and I just blew through it thinking it was the same as everyone prior to that. Stupid, I know, I wish i would have just picked it up and this wouldn’t be a problem.</p>
<p>Your last post has me nervous take a deep breath. Your looking at this the wrong way, your assuming guilt when there’s no guilt to assign. Have you spoken to your mentors about this, parents, counselors, teachers. I am close to a 1/2 century years old, and that doesn’t make me the wisest person in the world, but it does afford me with experiences. Based on my experience, just make a phone call, ask to speak to an admissions officer and then go from there. It sounds like you are already prepared for the worse, yet I doubt the worse will happen. You’ve already made the decision to talk to the school. I agree with someone’s post above - now it’s how you handle it. Are you mature, are you able to present yourself in a calm and professional manner? Avoid TMI… choose your words carefully. Remember you only want to state a fact, convey your mistake, briefly, it was a misunderstanding on your part but now you’d like the opportunity to update the information. Ask them how and what they need from you to fix the information. Once again, how you handle situation will be observed by those you interact with at the school. I know this is very important to you and obviously those who have posted want to see you succeed. Do you watch sports? Pay attention to the coaches, I like basketball. I personally admire the ones that are level headed and appear calm while coaching during an intense game. Best Regards.</p>
<p>Also please let us know how it goes for any of us who get thrust into similar situations.</p>
<p>One thing I think that’s missing here is that you’re under legal age. You need to speak to that. Your last post talks all about how you educated yourself on the effects of alcohol, as if you were a 21-year old who made a bad mistake. You were no doubt 16 or 17, and that in and of itself is a crime. I think they’ll need to hear that you understand and respect the law on drinking age,not just that you now know how to hold your alcohol and not drive when drinking. You’re not even allowed to drink, that’s what I see is missing from your explanation. Good luck, still think you should consult your attorney.</p>
<p>^OP’s over 21. He needs to amend his application supplement.</p>
<p>Osser, If you look two posts back I say “I’m a non-traditional student that comes from a stellar military background.” So, unfortunately this incident occurred in my twenties about a year and a half ago. What happened was I was at a new years eve party, I had a few drinks and left after the ball dropped, I was stopped at a checkpoint and I volunteered to blow into the breathalyzer wholeheartedly convinced I was going to blow under the legal limit. However, I barely blew over. The reason I was asked to take a breathalyzer was because there was damage on the back of my car from a week or so prior(my car has a blind spot and I backed into a pole trying to get out of a spot). So to the police it appeared as some idiot got drunk and crashed his car into something. They dragged me out of my car detained me, however, later on I was able to prove by pictures on a cell phone with a time and date stamp that the damage was caused by backing into a pole in front of my mothers house a week or so prior. They wanted to let me go after, but their SGT wouldn’t let them because he said I was in the system already. So all the charges were dropped down and I received a D.W.A.I violation and the minimum sentence possible. Everything that could have went wrong that night, went wrong. I simply just don’t drink anymore, I never was a habitual drinker anyway and after I went to the drinking and driving classes and victim impact panel I was heartbroken by these family’s that had their loved ones taken from them. Ultimately,I came to the conclusion that it’s simply best to abstain from alcohol entirely. I don’t need it to have fun and never did and all it seems to do is cause problems and bring heartache to family’s who lose someone to drinking and driving. As for an update to the plan I have. I’m getting a character witness statement from that night saying I was speaking, walking and appeared fine at all, and I only had a few drinks in order to convey that this was not at all some wreckless behavior, it was an incident that occurred because I was ignorant and failed to educate myself on the effects of alcohol.</p>
<p>Sorry I didn’t understand you were over 21. I still wouldn’t make a move at UNC without talking to my attorney first. Best of luck to you and kudos for learning from your mistake.</p>