<p>Hi guys, </p>
<p>As I am about to send off my college applications, I am beginning to worry. I was suspended not once but twice during my high school career. The first time was for three days during my freshman year when I disabled my school's customized network settings so that I could basically free surf the internet on my laptop. The next year, I was suspended again for essentially doing the same thing, except this time I downloaded a large file that somehow messed up the network for over a week. I was suspended for 3 days again. </p>
<p>I know it's pretty stupid, but those are my only mishaps. I have not been in any trouble since those incidents whatsoever. However, I am really wondering whether this is going to mess up my application. </p>
<p>Here is the basic run-down:
-4.00 UW GPA, 4.6W GPA
-2400 SAT I (one sitting)
-34 ACT
-800 on Math II
-770 on Physics
-800 on Math I
-800 on Modern Hebrew
-Attend a magnet school for mathematics/physics
-Many AP/Dual Enrollment classes--AP Calculus BC, AP Physics C, AP Computer Science, AP Chemistry, AP English Language, AP English Literature, AP Government, AP US History, and AP Latin: Vergil. 5's on all exams taken. Dual enrolled Research courses and Linear Algebra/Multivariate calculus as well.
-Five Good Ec's that are mostly community service based; Programmer for the school's robotics team
-15+ academic awards (AP Scholar with Distinction, National Merit Scholar, etc.) and several other awards of recognition for community service and achievement outside of academics</p>
<p>Basically, how are these TWO successive suspensions going to hurt me in the long run? Basically on my Common App I explained that I've always had an interest in technology but had to learn not to abuse it the hard way. </p>
<p>My first choice school is Carnegie Mellon. I plan to major in computer science. I applied to MIT early action, but I will still go to Carnegie if accepted regular decision. Please don't criticize me for this--I have a few relatives at MIT, and trust me, it's no longer the center of unique intellect with the best students. Those days are over. Plus, I'll probably get denied. </p>
<p>Back to the point: Is this going to hurt my admission decision?</p>
<p>well, here’s the thing: colleges don’t want any trouble caused by students. However, your mishaps are somewhat minor. it would be worse if you were caught cheating. Your scores are so good, and your grades are excellent, so I doubt this would seriously hinder your chances of getting in. It might make admissions staff question your app, but good grades and scores trump a little adolescent mischeif. I think you should be fine. Besides, hacking speaks of an intelligent mind. You could have been busted for graffitti or something similar.</p>
<p>My bestfriend got blacklisted at all privates for being suspended for half a day during his second semester senior year. The college counselor called all privates that he applied to to tell them about it. The official reason he got suspended was “For not following the directions set forth by the instructor.”</p>
<p>He got a likely letter to an ivy before the suspension. Rescinded.</p>
<p>It could be worse, and like the other people said, your ‘felonies’ are somewhat minor. Don’t do it again! :)</p>
<p>You got suspended twice for the same thing. I think that’s a problem. If I were an admissions officer, it would be for me.</p>
<p>You got suspended early on in high school, and haven’t had disciplinary issues since. That’s a mitigating factor–unless it’s a sign that you’ve just become a more proficient hacker.</p>
<p>You do seem highly qualified. Trouble is, at both MIT and CMU, the admissions offices can probably have their choice of a lot of highly qualified applicants who haven’t been suspended twice. They might accept you, but I hope you have also applied to some safer back-ups.</p>
<p>Will you guidence counselor be addressing it? I’d start by having a conversation with whomever is writing your school rec to find out what they plan to say about these suspensions. It may be that they let you off with a ‘youthful indiscretion, now outgrown.’ Or they may decide that you lack the maturity and integrity to warrent their unqualified support - or something in between. </p>
<p>Once you know the answer to this question, you will know how to address it in your application. You may also want to get teachers to comment on your integrity and maturity to offset any negative impression. Of course, if the school is going easy on you, then you don’t want to harp on it too much, except to 1) admit it was really, really dumb and 2) to swear it won’t happen again.</p>