<p>So I got suspended (5 days, out of school) for possession and consumption of alcohol on school property during a school sponsored event. I know it was a stupid mistake, I completely regret it, and I actually believe that I learned a lot about life from it. The suspension does NOT go on my school transcript; however, it does go on something called my PIMS(?) report. So, yes, colleges will be able to see that I got suspended for 5 days, but they won't be able to see why. </p>
<p>A few questions: Honestly, how much does a suspension actually affect your chances? I'm not talking about HYPS and stuff, I'm aiming more for like John Hopkins, Vanderbilt, maybe UPenn (I live in PA), Berkeley, Rice, Wash U in St Louis... I'm not sure how to classify them, the middle top-tier schools I guess?? Going with the assumption that my grades stay good, (Mostly/All A's in honors and AP classes) and my SAT is still fine (2100-2300 depending on the success of my second go at it), ** how much will the suspension hurt me? **</p>
<p>Another question is, should I mention * why * I was suspended when I fill out the admissions forms or should I leave it blank in case they don't even see the suspension? </p>
<p>And last, I had this idea that I would write about my learning experience and what I thought are important epiphanies that occurred to me over my suspension period in my college essay, is this a good idea? Or should I try to draw as little attention to it as possible?</p>
<p>I would say it probably cost you at least one of those acceptances. I would talk to your GC about it. If you write about it, talk about why (if there is a good excuse) you did it, but more importantly, what you learned from it. I wish you luck. I would apply to some obvious back ups just in case. </p>
<p>PM me if you’d like specific advice. You wont get into any of the schools that you are hoping for with that suspension on your record–it is a question on the common app so look for schools with individual apps.</p>
<p>I don’t know how your school operates but any student suspended from my school for any reason will have their counselor specifically mention it in the recommendation they write.</p>
<p>Your counselor will have to mention it in their report. But hopefully they can say that you have learned from it, you are a good kid, etc, etc. I think you should address it on your app.<br>
FWIW, someone I know had a suspension and still got in a mid tier UC school, which is where I think they would have gotten in anyway without it.</p>
<p>This happened in my community last year where some friends had kids do this in the fall before admissions, so I have a little experience here.</p>
<p>Here’s the thing - colleges know that underage drinking is a very common occurrence. For most colleges, this isn’t going to be a big deal. However, for elite colleges, where they are literally looking for legitimate reasons to turn candidates away - you’ve just given them one. Live and learn. Today it’s the potential loss of some college opportunities; tomorrow it’s your job when you have a family and a mortgage.</p>
<p>From what I can understand, the PIMS report is only generated for PA students - that is kind of a bad break and the kind of thing that helps you truly understand what it can mean to live in one state and not another. If that’s provided to colleges and they see a suspension, my opinion is that remaining silent is worse than coming clean. Don’t leave them wondering if the suspension was for cheating, stealing, vandalism/destruction of school property or fighting - those are far worse than underage consumption of alcohol. State briefly and unequivocally what your suspension was for (I would say “being in the presence of alcohol on school property” - that’s enough) and that you deeply regret this indiscretion and understand you were fairly treated by your school in the matter. Period.</p>
<p>Don’t go into how much you have learned unless it was a suspension from last year. If it happened this year, we adults know serious lessons don’t sink in this quickly.</p>
<p>If you are a very good candidate for a school with your grades and scores, and your recommendations and everything else are good, you are going to be fine as long as you are honest. </p>
<p>Talk to your GC about prior experiences of kids at your school in your position - there are always other kids who have been through it. See what happened to them. You might be out for the schools you are after, but truthfully, you might have been out anyway. Those are all schools with tight admissions.</p>
<p>It will be OK and I wish you luck. Really it did turn out OK for all the kids we knew. They are all at colleges where they are very happy now.</p>
<p>Now, is there any to possibly expunge from my record/ PIMS or whatever? And honestly I did kind of have an epiphany moment, and if I talk about it in my essay, do you think the admissions people will more likely see that I learned from it or just get annoyed by it?</p>
<p>And last, I forgot to mention University of Michigan. I was looking at this school and I really liked it. Say I did get good SATs and GPAs, will a suspension STILL break my chances? I think Michigan was a match for me BEFORE the suspension, is it a reach now or just a goner?</p>
<p>look i now this really sucks that maybe your chances have diminished because of one mistake, but you just need to push forward and you seem to be handling it relatively well. i really dont know if you should write your essay about it…seems risky. plus of all the important things in your life do you really want that to be the one thing that shines? think about this first before committing. this is your opportunity to show YOU, not defend yourself </p>
<p>a good alternative is to get into a whatever school now, then transfer your sophomore year when you dont have the suspension on your record (i dont think it carries over?)</p>
<p>i wish you luck and if one of those schools is your dream then try it, no one can know for sure. the important thing is you keep pushing forward and not get discouraged</p>