<p>Hey all. I'm currently in the midst of my applications, and I've recently started worrying about how much of a strike a suspension from school will count against me for my admissions chances. I was suspended for 3 days in sophomore year. I'm applying to Duke, NW, Vandy, Wash U, UMich, Ohio State, URochester, Emory, Purdue, Case Western, George Washington, UToronto, and McGill. From the responses I've gotten on here so far and from my college counselor, those top four are in the high match/low reach level for me, the rest pretty match/safe. </p>
<p>Here's what happened: We had a sub, and, per the usual when there's a sub, my friends and I were more goofing off than actually working. There was a kid in our class who sat behind us and was really fun to mess with b/c of his reactions, so we'd mess with him (not making fun of him at all or anything, he was laughing too) when she had her back turned. I got unlucky, though, and to make a long story short, she may have seen a great deal of my boxers in that moment. She insisted I be suspended, so I was. I know this sounds really dumb - and it was - but I've matured a great deal since then, something I plan to explain on my app. I just got carried away with friends. Unfortunately, I don't have any volunteering ECs to offset it, but I do have a really great, unique set of ECs that would have normally set me ahead of the pack.</p>
<p>So my question is - does this kill my chances for those schools? how much might it debilitate my application? My college counselor told me it wouldn't harm me too much, especially since it was in soph year, but I find that he's an optimist about almost everything. Please respond if you are speaking from experience/are quite knowledgable on the subject/have a good understanding of what a typical AdCom might think, as I'd appreciate reliable advice and/or opinions. Thank you all in advance, and Merry Christmas (or Hanukah, Kwanza, whatever)!</p>
<p>Anyone? I’d really appreciate a knowledgeable opinion!</p>
<p>Personally do not think it is going to play a big role in your college admissions. Everyone or generally speaking is going to look at it as a mistake you made and ofcourse in your essay do not specify anything more than you have too! Im sure on your transcript it will just show the days you were suspended so do not say more than needed. I think that if your grades are good and you do not have a lot of other disciplinary things on there than your fine!!</p>
<p>I think how much it will effect things will be based on how you address the matter. Be prepared if in an interviewer asks you something regarding the issue, you should be able to respond in a mature way. Also do address it somewhere on your application.</p>
<p>I do believe it will hurt you for top schools, but I don’t think it will kill your chances…</p>
<p>I was suspended and got accepted everywhere except Stanford with fairly standard grades and test scores for the schools I was accepted to. Another friend had the same thing happen. I doubt it will have a large effect.</p>
<p>Some schools will ask if you have ever been suspended from school, so if they do, take the chance to explain yourself and show how you have matured. Actually, I’m not completely sure since I haven’t looked at my common app in several months, but there might be some place on there where you can address it (besides the required 500 word essay). Otherwise, you can only hope your counselor rec covered your bum (no pun intended). Regarding your chances, nobody besides individual adcoms can say for sure how it will affect you. Just work with what you’ve got and don’t worry, you won’t be rejected all over the board unless you go all Ivy.</p>
<p>Hey, thanks very much to everyone who responded; I’m more reassured now. I also did some more outside research and got the same general consensus. There is a space on the Common App where they ask you to explain yourself, so I’ll be sure to convey how I’ve changed, and I’ll try to shine as fair a light on the incident as I can. And @chewydog, even if there was no pun intended, that got a good laugh out of me. Merry Christmas to all!</p>
<p>The suspension will definitely make you stand out. This will increase your chances. Why not apply to Harvard as well?</p>
<p>Further opinions still welcome and much appreciated.</p>
<p>I would check with your GC and see if this has been reported on your transcript or will be in a letter. As it does not seem to constitute a major academic infraction, it may be best o just admit to it and fully explain the circumstances. I agree with others that it probably won’t kill your chances.</p>