<p>So most colleges ask if you've ever committed a serious act that led to suspension, criminal charges, etc. But Stanford asks if you've ever broken an "honor code." I know this may sound really silly, but, like most people, throughout high school I've sometimes copied hw from a friend if I forgot about it or gave answers to someone else, etc. Technically, this does violate my school's honor code. Should I feel morally compelled to answer yes to this question, or am I just being dumb? What exactly are they getting at when they ask this?</p>
<p>----bump----</p>
<p>Quality of character and personal ethics.</p>
<p>just answer it so they let you in, they won't know unless its obvious you did and got caught and in a lot of trouble.</p>
<p>Do what you think is right and not what others tell you.</p>
<p>I think this is a personal call. Something they'll never find out about, but if you would feel guilty getting in knowing you had checked no when you felt it was yes, you might feel horrible.</p>
<p>I agree with TAWS and celebrian25 do what you think/know is right. Go with what you feel most comfortable with.</p>
<p>Most people would interepret that as a "technical" question. However, it is your moral calling as to how YOU will interpret that</p>
<p>I don't think I had exactly the same situation, but check out this thread I stuck in the parents' forum a few weeks ago: <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=92692%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=92692</a>. I talked this over with my parents and with a teacher at my school (not "the" teacher), and they all agreed that much of it has to do with your intent. For me, I believe I had no intention of breaking my school's honor code (spirit of the laws versus letter of the law). One comment that the teacher I talked to was, "[We teachers] know you're a great kid, but we also know you're human and not perfect. Quite frankly, if you were, it would be kind of scary." So I'll be checking "no," but I think it is a very personal decision. If you do check "yes," be honest in your attached explanation.</p>
<p>So think about it for awhile. I suggest talking it over with someone -- maybe a parent, a trusted friend, or even (be careful) a teacher. Good luck.</p>
<p>These are interesting responses. I personally am a morally centered person, which is why I am thinking so hard about this. I know that many of my classmates would check "no" in a flash and have done many worse things then I have. Like I said, my possible honor code violations were quite mundane and I seriously think ever student at my school has done them once or twiced (my school's code is quite vague, something like always upholding honesty and integrity and things like that). I think to make sure I don't regret it later, I should probably check "yes" and provide an explanation, but I'm a little worried because the honor code part is in the same grouping as things like suspensions or expulsions, which are obviously MUCH more serious offenses. I don't want to do anything that would automatically disqualify me from Stanford admissions, especially since I've worked so hard and am considered a strong applicant. So I guess my final question is: If I checked the box but then gave an honest explanation that showed the offenses were more or less very minor, would these significantly hinder my chances of getting in?</p>
<p>It's hard to say whether it would affect your chances. I believe the honor code question on the Stanford app is relatively new -- at least it wasn't there the past few years -- so it may not be a big deal to talk about it -- maybe they have yet to try to figure out how to handle that particular question (you're not the only one in this boat, trust me!).</p>
<p>Regarding your school's honor code, does it explicitly say that you can't copy homework? I realize that the nature of different types of homework assignments may affect where you stand, but was it only on assignments on which students may be actually encouraged to work together. My school's honor code says nothing about copying homework, per se, and most teachers encourage students to do their homework in study groups, just as long as they make a point of learning the material for themselves.</p>
<p>HTH. :)</p>