In 9th grade I was expelled from my school. They allowed me to return for my 10th, 11th, and 12th grade years. I asked my guidance office and they told me that they aren’t allowed to disclose disciplinary history, so even if the college (I am applying to Ohio State and University of Cincinnati) called and asked if I had any disciplinary history they would say “We aren’t allowed to say one way or the other.” Essentially the only way for the college to find out would be by calling and asking me. I really want to tell the truth on there and I want to know how much it would hurt my chances of getting accepted. I would be able to get many letters of recommendation explaining that I made a mistake and that I came back and excelled.
I am a little under-qualified for Ohio State; my ACT and GPA are a bit lower than the mid-50%.
Would the admission dept just throw my application aside if I checked the box saying I have a disciplinary history or would they actually read my letters of recommendation and the explanation of what happened?
At schools with holistic admissions (I am unsure what Ohio and Cincinnati’s policies are), they would read the circumstances of the disciplinary history before deciding.
“Should I lie on the common app” stop right there. The answer is no. It is always no.
Tell the truth. Say what happened. Explain how you redeemed yourself and why you were allowed back. Show what you have done to make yourself a better person since then.
Tell your story. IF it is a good one, you will be a better candidate for it.
I doubt it is true that your HS won’t tell them. I believe it is a question on the school recommendation that the GC fills out. Here is an example: What if you had done something like bring a weapon to high school, and they didn’t pass that info on to the college? They might be liable if you committed a crime with a weapon later.
It’s VERY noteworthy that the same school allowed you to return.
Don’t make it the topic of your essay. The GC should address the issue in the application, and make the point that the school had confidence in you and you lived up to their expectations.
If school or district policy is not to disclose, then they won’t. It’s not so uncommon. That doesn’t stop a teacher LoR from inadvertently referring to something. I think you’re ok because they let you back and can comment on what sort of kid you became and are now. Be sure your bridges are rebuilt and there are those good things to say about you.