<p>Lol the responses in this thread only make me 10x more excited to go to Reed; I can’t wait to meet all the awesome people! Ok, I’ll deal with probation and sobriety, big whoop - I’m just grateful I can still go to academic heaven.</p>
<p>Do you mean that you have communicated with the admissions office about this, and that they have confirmed your status as an admitted student? How has this been resolved?</p>
<p>No, I haven’t contacted admissions office yet - I don’t think I’m required to. I don’t think it would be advisable to do this until after a conviction is confirmed anyhow. I am still trying to figure out if this will show up on my final transcript. Who here would honestly jeopardize their admission if it isnt required?</p>
<p>DoinSchool, if I were in your position, I would handle this privately, between myself and the court. I don’t know how Reed would find out about your trouble at this point–the application process is over so it’s not like you’re being questioned about any past legal convictions. I say keep it to yourself unless or until they ask. Meanwhile, you can hedge your bets by going to a therapist or drug counselor for a few sessions. It would show your sincerity and maturity to the courts. If Reed did ask you to explain, you could say you were experimenting and had a bad experience that shook you up enough to consult with a professional. Who could fault you then?</p>
<p>In case it does show up on your transcript, then you have to decide if you think your chances of matriculating go up or down by remaining silent. I don’t have a clue. :(</p>
<p>“the application process is over”</p>
<p>I would guess that receipt of the final HS transcript is part of the process.</p>
<p>Thanks fellas. I can’t tell you how reassuring and comforting it is to know that people out there got my back and sincerely want the best for me. almost 3 weeks sober now :D</p>
<p>I respect your decision. Some advice, then: good for you for being “sober” (“three weeks now”) but consider that this is not a race, which will eventually end; rather, you are changing your way of being in the world. This is about you, not about something you have to do or are putting yourself through. Believe me, Reedies of the past know a lot about this process. Reed is an astonishingly good place in which to make fundamental changes in oneself. You will probably feel a release on personal levels so deep you didn’t know they were clenched, or even that they existed. Swim in your depths, and use what you are, what you want, as your muscle, your technique to keep you from drowning. </p>
<p>Consider, also, that substance abuse affects you in many different ways, not just in the overt behavioral/psychosocial realms. Do you eat junk food? Do you consume a lot of sugar or caffeine? How much exercise do you get? Do you sleep well/enough/not too much? Do you smoke? (an afterthought.) Without knowing how you live, I offer some general advice: limit caffeine to one cup a day, walk outside for half an hour a day, eat whole grain products and fresh vegetables/fruits, avoid refined carbs (candy, cookies, white bread, you know the rest.) Avoid what you know is junk, and eat some of what you like. Put clean sheets on your bed, and sleep at night. There is at Reed a venerable tradition, the practice of a dynamic between dangerous experimentation (usually involving drugs) and asceticism: the “go deep, rise high” pattern. I’m not advocating it, only stating that you’ll find this there. Diet and lifestyle are considered fairly shallow distractions to this process, not useful. Having a background in part of this dynamic will not isolate or encumber you at Reed. Where you are going; how you live while you’re there–these are what matter.</p>
<p>By this I mean that substance abuse can create imbalances which lead to other kinds of addictions. One unfortunate practice leads to another, in ways that are often subtle. You might find it easier to move away from drugs if you live more cleanly in general. </p>
<p>You will probably find that change comes easily at Reed. Be mindful; you might find yourself sliding in a direction you don’t want. What has your life been? If you don’t want the influence of the past, then clean it out as much as you can before you get to Reed. Put into your life what you want to get out of it. Reedies love to ride this metaphysical tide and have many names for it: karma, dharma, and more. They play ineffably exquisite games with it and often get hurt in ways unique to them, or even lost. Heroin, for instance, does not work. </p>
<p>There are many metaphors for what Reed can do. People tend to find these metaphors in their involvement with their academic disciplines: Zen reflecting pool, dialectical materialism, structural characteristics of infinity. Take a look at some of the titles of Reed theses. </p>
<p>I think Reed sees itself as a sort of Odyssey. Suit up, DoinSchool; get your gear ready.</p>
<p>I’m very concerned that you’re not communicating this matter to Reed. Of course, I’m sure they’re aware of this thread. I really wouldn’t want the adcom and administration to find out about this via third parties, if I were you. That would almost certainly result in an admission being rescinded, especially these days when the Reed community is so concerned about such issues.</p>
<p>Prairie - I catch the drift. I am grateful to be off mary jane. The information about its effects are so polarized that it’s so easy to “pick one side” and decide that it’s a wonder medicine with no negative effects. Sobriety has helped reveal to me that these rationalizations hindered my development and that I did indeed have a problem - which I wasn’t willing to admit. Regardless of whether or not the plant is physiologically addictive, it’s not hard to infer that dependence on something that makes you feel good with no real effort is a strong possibility. And dependence is never good. It’s my opinion that the “pro-weed” information out there, despite its intentions, often serves to hinder users from self-examination of the effect it’s having on their lives; leading to a denial of sorts. There is a fine line between use and abuse, and it’s important to discern the distinction. I also have a theory that habitual use, do to the “easy reward”, interferes with the brain’s natural reward system of first working towards something, then obtaining the reward. Your words are lucid and I relate to them.
Also, a little-known fact about weed is that, at least in habitual use, it really interferes with dreaming and/or dream recall. I have been having the craziest dreams lately and it made me realize that I either wasn’t having many or wasn’t remembering them upon waking up. Many report this effect after abstaining.</p>
<p>Trin - I appreciate your concern, but your post makes me nervous. Please know that I am trying to do the right thing here. My strongest desire right now is to leave this town and start anew at Reed. If I do contact them I think it will be an email or letter, but I hope you understand that this decision isn’t an easy one, and requires both deliberation and consultation. I need to talk this out with my lawyer and teacher adviser before I commit to a plan of action. Furthermore, I also likely have charges pending (from the raid of my room) - and which ones, I am not yet sure - so I don’t even have all the information I need to available yet. If reed is indeed aware of this thread I hope my absence of communication isn’t interpreted as cowardly or deceptive. It’s a lot more complicated than that.</p>
<p><3 for everyone</p>
<p>DoinSchool, this must be an ordeal for you. In my opinion, revoking your admission would be the wrong thing for Reed to do, for a number of reasons. You will go there and work hard, avoid drugs, and contribute to the life of the Reed community, won’t you? You have had a very frightening brush with disaster, and you are changing for the better. </p>
<p>As to the question of your responsibility to disclose information about this situation: I don’t know. I think some of the other posters on this thread are presenting your options in very stark terms. Is Reed this intrusive and unforgiving now? It sounds like a “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” scenario. As the behaviorists in the Psych department are aware, this kind of negative reinforcement setup induces freakout/stress/depression. This is no way to go into your college education.</p>
<p>[Editorial</a> - A New Standard of Decency for Juvenile Criminals - NYTimes.com](<a href=“Opinion | A New Standard of Decency for Juvenile Criminals - The New York Times”>Opinion | A New Standard of Decency for Juvenile Criminals - The New York Times)</p>
<p>Here’s a link to an article in today’s NYT, reporting on how the Supreme Court has ruled that life sentences for juveniles convicted of non-capital crimes are unconstitutional. The article refers to the Justices’ arguments, specifically to their awareness that the teenaged brain is not fully developed, and that a teenager’s judgment is not as good as an adult’s. The article refers to a growing public and scientific awareness that having made a bad choice does not identify a teenager as being on a path to criminality in adulthood.</p>
<p>Im with TrinSF on this one, Yes, I understand that with charges still pending, there are many unknowns with your situation and that you want to consult with your lawyer and teachers in school. However, Reed takes the honour principle very seriously. It is better that you are proactive and inform the school about this rather than risk the school learning about this from other sources. The academic workload is very heavy. Do you really want this added stress of this hanging over your shoulder? Maybe you should consider taking a gap year before going there and thinking through if you are really ready for the independence and responsibility that being a Reed student entails.</p>
<p>Mintwood: <em>nod</em> I spoke to my Reedie about this thread yesterday; he even went and read it so we could talk about it. He had the following concerns: </p>
<p>1.The honor principle doesn’t start and end at the campus, or while school is in session. His response to several of the posts was “that’s not what the honor principle is about, and if that’s how you understand it, you’re doing it wrong.” </p>
<ol>
<li><p>Reed is not a good place to work on your recovery. If you are a substance-free student and you want that, you can do that. If you’re not, you can stay that way. But if you are a student trying to remain clean after problems, Reed is not a good place for you. It’s like saying you’ve got 2 weeks of sobriety, and you’re getting a job in a bar. Can you hang out in a bar if you don’t drink? Certainly. Is it a well-thought out plan to go spend your days or nights in a bar when you’re a recovering alcoholic? No, it’s not. </p></li>
<li><p>If you’re a recovering anything and you’re attending Reed, you need to let the adminstration and health folks know, to ensure that you get the treatment and support you need. These days, Reed is all about supporting students in achieving at Reed. They’re no longer happy being notorious for a high burnout/dropout rate. But if you have to keep this event a secret, then you’re not going to be able to seek treatment or support without worrying that you’re going to be “found out”. </p></li>
<li><p>The original poster has very mixed messages about drug use, on this thread and others. He both says that he got out of control and is giving up drugs, and yet elsewhere attempts to justify use as valid personal exploration. In my son’s experience, that doesn’t bode well for not using in the future. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>I think I agree with Mintwood about the gap year. I suggest that you contact Reed about the incident and the issues involved, and that you work with them to plan either to have a gap year or treatment that they feel confident will ready you for Reed.</p>
<p>Your son’s comments seem worthwhile. I’m pretty sure he has convinced me to contact Reed about this. Does he have a recommendation for a method of contact?</p>
<p>In particular, his statements about the honor system make a lot of sense. This isn’t something I want hanging over my head that I have to hide. It would be a lot easier to get the active support of Reed in this situation, or, in the event that the worst case happens, at least find closure on the issue.
I am less concerned about the “recovering addict” thing. My mj usage was more-so fueled by false confidence in its medicinal benefits and lack of side effects, than hardcore meth-style fiending. I don’t even use tobacco and I drink like never. My health is pretty important to me.
Regarding my hypocrisy regarding drug usage: my stance is more centered around personal freedom and government’s encroachment on it, than anything else. </p>
<p>I really don’t think a gap year is right for me, but it wouldn’t be the worst thing. I would probably just buy a bunch of philosophy and nutrition books that I’ve been meaning to read and do some charity work. But, I think it’s really important for me to get away from my family and the stress created by living with them…my mom ended her life about 2 years ago and i have been living with my dad and sister who i dont get along too well with.
I am ready, no, I can’t wait! To take on the hard work load. I don’t aspire to accomplish, but to conquer it! I want to be the best student at reed next year, arrogant as it sounds. I have gotten through high school doing too little, and i am eager to test my limits :)</p>
<p>Once again, thanks for your input. It’s incredible to me that you took the time out of your life to get your son to comment!</p>
<p>Good luck, DoinSchool. Please let us know how things go.</p>
<p>I would like to mention that Reed’s Honor Principle is a two-way street. Students have the responsibility to behave honorably, and Reed has a responsibility to create a context in which honorable behavior has meaning and resonance. Of course doing the right thing is meaningful in itself, and this is why it would be good for you, no matter what happens with Reed. But for the Reed community, more is necessary. For the one who behaves well to be more than a schlemihl or a holy fool or a martyr, or all the other characterizations that can attach to someone whose right action is not mirrored by his/her culture, it is necessary that there be commonly recognized values, in light of which the right action is understood. And it is necessary that the community apply these values in its actions toward the one who behaves well. That is your responsibility; and that is Reed’s, under the Honor Principle.</p>
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<p>Really? In my mind that is the only real issue here and if Reed revokes its acceptance of you that will be the reason they do so. Any school is responsible for the students who matriculate there. That is why they provide mental health services, that is why they have students whose job is to be dorm advisors. Parents expect the schools that their son or daughter matriculates to to do everything they can to ensure that their son or daughter is safe.</p>
<p>I can’t tell if the incident you originally created this thread about was the wakeup call you needed to realize you might have a problem with substance abuse or if you are not concerned enough about the nature of addiction. I hope it was a wakeup call. I hope you are now aware that you might be the type of person that can’t push the boundaries involving substance use like other people might be able to.</p>
<p>Doinschool was using hallucinogens. They aren’t addictive.</p>
<p>i have emailed my local admissions adviser requesting a phone call. the moment of truth is near, wish me luck folks.</p>