<p>I have already completely applied to nine of my schools. Three of them have accepted me already.</p>
<p>Today, I was involved in an incident in school. I do not regret my role, but I will let you judge:</p>
<p>Yesterday, I witnessed a friend of mine getting into an argument in the stairwell with three underclassmen I do not know. Later I asked him about it, and he told me that he doesn't know them either, but that they had been harassing him every day at the same time. Today, the same time, I saw him and the same people yelling. I had a bad feeling and headed over. A teacher intervened and told everyone to go to class. Mistakenly thinking the altercation was over, the teacher left. My friend was halfway down the stairwell when the other guy yelled, "I'm going to break your f---ing jaw!" and ran down the stairs after him. I followed and when I reached the second flight, I saw my friend (and another mutual friend) fighting off about four guys. At that point the thing had basically escalated into a brawl. I made a split second decision and knew I shouldn't fight but also knew I couldn't stand by and watch my friend get jumped. The antagonist had grabbed my friend from behind and was trying to knock him against the wall. I ran over and basically pried the guy off my friend and held him in a wrestling-type move until security arrived and took him from me. </p>
<p>I had to make a statement and everything. Because I was physically involved, even though I did not threw any punches or anything, I was suspended for the rest of the day. The administration actually completely sympathized with me and implied that they only suspended me because they legally had to. </p>
<p>I forgot to ask whether they will report this to my colleges. Do you think they will? Should I report the incident to the schools I have been accepted to? Should I include an explanatory statement? (And what about my friend, who was suspended for three days? - he did actually fight, even though it was self defense.)</p>
<p>Thoughts would be really appreciated. Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>First, find out if your school will report your brief suspension (I doubt it). If so, then send an explanation (similar to what you posted above) to your colleges and ask your principal and/or counselor to back you up. You’re a good guy in this scenario, but be sure that everyone understands that fact–only if your school feels it necessary to report your suspension.</p>
<p>Thanks. Fortunately, no one was criminally charged (so far), so I think that will save any serious consequences. I’ll be sure to talk to the guidance/administration as soon as I can, though.</p>
<p>This is a very difficult situation to explain since you were suspended. The good aspect is that all nine of your college apps were already sent in prior to the incident & subsequent suspension. Wait for the decisions, then have your parents obtain an official copy of your transcript before raising the issue with your guidance counselor or colleges. Although you believe that you behaved in an “honorable” fashion, a fighting suspension will raise major red flags in admissions offices. And some may view your actions as other than honorable. Although there are two sides to every story (or, more often, three sides = his, mine & the truth) most mature folks will select to not get involved at all. In short, if you have to explain, then, most likely, you will lose as colleges are very sensitive to potential liability issues.</p>
<p>As I understand it, schools have the power to report or not report incidents like this that are ambiguous to a degree. I would a) talk to whomever did the disciplining and b) a teacher you trust and c) your college counselor who would do the reporting in the event that it is needed. Better to be proactive in my opinion than wait to see what happens.</p>
<p>Well, I don’t see how it was your fault at all. It would have been just wrong to stand by and watch another human being get beaten to death.</p>
<p>I think you were just suspended so you wouldn’t have to go back to school and have the drama expand. I don’t think they put it on your permenant record. Just ask and make sure.</p>
<p>If they did put it on your permenant record, I suggest you get your parents involved and take some legal action against the school’s administration.</p>
<p>“most mature folks will select to not get involved at all”</p>
<p>Why does the name “Kitty Genovese” keep running through my head?</p>
<p>Don’t wait. Talk to the administration and counselors now. If they are as sympathetic as you believe them to be, they will be a source of help in how this gets handled. They may decide they don’t need to report it at all. They may feel they have to report it but be willing to send an explanation – which is inherently more convincing if it comes from them than from you. Worst case, they surprise you and are unsympathetic, in which case you are better knowing that now than later as it gives you time to figure out your options and craft your own explanation.</p>
<p>Get your parents involved. Let them make the veiled threat that they failed to protect the other student and they have as much an interest as you in keeping this a low profile.</p>
<p>Definately get your parents in the loop and state your case: You had to protect your friend because the staff and administration failed to do so.</p>
<p>lol my counselor (seperate from registrar) told me the “permanent record” is a myth. Nothing is reported to schools. Also, our registrar told me she doesn’t send out anything relating to a “record.”</p>
<p>It sounds like you did the right thing, but I think you should tell colleges, even if your school doesn’t do it automatically. Some applications ask if you have ever been suspended or expelled from school for any reason, and then give you space to explain. I would send a letter to all of the colleges you’ve applied to, including the ones you’ve been accepted to, explaining the circumstances. Could you maybe get someone on the administration (whoever is in charge of student discipline?) to also write an explanatory statement?</p>