<p>a friend of mine recently get caught stealing clothes at the mall. she hasnt gone to the court date yet but knows she will have to pay a fine. the cop did not take her fingerprint and told her that it would be difficult to find this theft on her record. should she check yes or no in the box on the common app where it asks if you have had any misdemeanors? If she checks no and they somehow find out will she automatically not get in even though she is otherwise an ideal prospective student?
she is applying to school like barnard and columbia; would these schools not take her because of this misdemeanor?
thanks</p>
<p>Obviously having a theft misdemeanor looks very bad on the app. Yes they can fully deny her admission if they find out after her acceptance. Legally she should put that, but she doesnt have to. I truthfully dont have any knowledge on misdemeanors. Maybe if she has a good good excuse she can say yes and talk more about it in additional info explaining her reasons.</p>
<p>When you submit the application, you certify that everything on the application is true and complete. To writ:</p>
<p>“I certify that all information submitted in the admission process – including the application, the personal essay, any supplements, and any other supporting materials – is my own work, factually true, and honestly presented. I authorize all schools attended to release all requested records and authorize review of my application for the admission program indicated on this form. I understand that I may be subject to a range of possible disciplinary actions, including admission revocation or expulsion, should the information I’ve certified be false.”</p>
<p>I wouldn’t leave it out. Just my 2¢.</p>
<p>but i heard that certain misdemeanors don’t count?</p>
<p>A misdemeanor is a misdemeanor</p>
<p>Oh god, I’m in that same position except for the fact that I attempted to steal from my dorm…so I technically don’t have any criminal records but still, I don’t know what’s gonna happen to me…</p>
<p>A misdemeanor is a conviction of a certain crime. You first need to find out if you were actually convicted of a misdemeanor before you start worrying about putting it on your application. Shoplifting may be classified as an infraction, which isn’t a misdemeanor. Stealing something from your dorm, unless you are charged with a crime in court and it is determined to be a misdemeanor, also isn’t a misdemeanor. Before worrying yourself, find out if there really is anything to be worried about. You can easily find out by contacting the court.</p>
<p>MAKE SURE YOU PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE WORDING.</p>
<p>Have you ever been CONVICTED of ________?</p>
<p>Have you? If you haven’t, simply answer no. If the charges are dropped OR you do some program to get rid of the charges, answer NO.</p>
<p>Do not risk it, make sure that you can legally say no and then do it FOR SURE. Many minors report charges that are actually dropped or settled and they are never actually CONVICTED of the crime… make sure before you possibly ruin your chances. If you answer it correctly they can’t rescind your admission since you didn’t lie…</p>
<p>good point! thats great news for her because she didnt actually get convicted and the way this is all going it doesnt look like she will be either ever or at least until february, after her applications have been sent… thanks for that info about the wording, MAJOR help because now she can definitely put “no” confidently</p>
<p>Okay, so I ‘attempted’ to steal from my dorm, which happened ‘IN-SCHOOL’, and this didn’t involve any cops/going to court. Are you saying that I can put ‘NO’ in my common app since this isn’t considered misdemeanor?</p>
<p>Yes, say no. The question is “have you ever been CONVICTED OF A MISDEMEANOR.” The question isn’t “have ever attempted to steal something.” A misdemeanor is a certain level of crime. If you have been convicted of one you would know, because you would have gone to court and seen a judge and perhaps had a trial or at least a hearing. You would have paid a fine to the COURT, or done time in jail.</p>
<p>Thank you soo much, I’ve been worrying for a month now. :)</p>
<p>Plus if you KNOW it’ll negatively affect you if you put it, but MAYBE if you don’t, you’re safer not putting it.
If you get booked, you can always say the court hearing didn’t take place and you weren’t sure.</p>