My child is a high school junior and unfortunately got caught drinking at a school sports event. He is a very solid student and has never been in any other trouble. The penalties were harsh at home and school. He was suspended for 8 days and the school notified the police. He is currently completing a community service requirement. He definitely knows he made a horrible decision that night! He intends to be completely honest about the incident during his college application process, as he should. Our question: what impact may this have on his chance for admission to the schools he applies to?
An 8 day suspension and police notification leads me to question whether there is more to the story. But assuming that the “only” transgression was drinking on campus, and the police action resulted in no arrests or records, it’s unlikely to have a major impact. Most colleges are more concerned with major transgressions - drug dealing, hazing, academic dishonesty, carrying a weapon, etc.
That said, if the school considers it a huge issue, and it reflects in the GC rec, there could be an impact. That is a conversation that you should have with the school administration now, not later.
school notified the police<<<<<<<
What was the consequence of that? No action or records from that?
The answer depends upon the colleges where he is applying. If he is applying to Evangelical Protest colleges like Wheaton (Ilinois), Taylor, Messiah, etc. or BYU, it will hurt. Most other places–assuming nothing else was involved–won’t care that much. However, be forewarned that it can create a problem in the future with certain kinds of employment, notably being admitted as an attorney.
As a parent of two recent high school grads, i feel your pain. Good kids make bad decisions, for sure. i don’t know the net effect but certainly you want to minimize it. He can’t lie to colleges but i would craft my disclosure strategy very carefully. Consider speaking w his guidance counselor and with your attorney. You need to be very clear on how this is recorded with both the school and the law. Write down what they tell you, so that you have the info available for future reference. It is hard to hear clearly when you are stressed, let alone remember the specifics of what you were told. Hopefully if there is a record, it will be expunged following a period of good behavior. It sounds like he is under 18. Make sure you understand the implications of this in your state- maybe underage records get sealed ? Find out whether the school will be disclosing it. Figure out a strategy with your son, and stick to it. He needs to understand the implications of this incident so he knows in what contests he may need to disclose it.
Try to keep the lines of communication open with your son, as annoyed as you are with him. You don’t want him making any unsafe decisions out of fear of disappointing you or of getting caught.
I believe that there is a place on the common app to explain any suspensions during HS. I would assume if one showed contriteness and humility, having learned a hard lesson, etc., one would be OK. This was not an assault or other violent offense.
I think it may have some implications for college but I don’t think it is a make or break situation. Many people get underage drinking citations and still go to college and they get jobs.
When it comes to being admitted to the bar the issue is not that someone has a citation for underage drinking but whether they disclose it. Here in FL not disclosing the citation will be a problem. The citation itself is not a problem. There are many many many attorneys who have had underage drinking citations.
I would disclose what you have to disclose. In other words, read the questions carefully, and literally. Do not “read in” any hidden meanings. Just stick to exactly what is asked.
Was there any action by police?
If he’s a junior, he’s presumably under 18. There shouldn’t be any legal record of the citation, other than the suspension from the school which may need to be explained in applications. He should work with his guidance counselor to see how it has to be handled. I don’t think the school will be out to ruin his chances to get into college.
Colleges don’t do background checks for applicants, unless he wants to go to West Point. He’s fine. I’ve done more than my fair share of stupid when I was a teenager.