USC asking about my criminal past?

Transfer Students
1

<p>Film Production is my desired major.
I'm confident that I can get into USC (undergrad). It's not my first choice, but I'm keeping my options open. I've recently applied to UC, including LA and Berkeley. I'll also be applying to Chapman.</p>

<p>The UC application didn't ask whether I've been suspended from schools and/or been arrested in the past. USC does. </p>

<p>I have a 3.8, good extracurricular, have made two award winning short films, born outside the US but naturalized (so I have plenty to write about in statements, "life experience") and know plenty successful filmmakers (for good recommendation letters). I go to SMC, a community college that boasts the highest transfer rates to UCs. </p>

<p>I got caught smoking weed in 9th grade. This was at Santa Monica Highschool. I had to change school for six months (along with all my friends who got caught with me). </p>

<p>I also got caught smoking a cigarette. I was about 14. I got a fine. </p>

<p>Cops said my record would clear when I was to turn 18. Since then, I've only gotten a ticket for having my headlights off.</p>

<p>What should I do? How much do they care? Do they even have the right to ask this information? They say the state requires them to ask, but other colleges didn't give a *****. Even the police wouldn't reveal that information to them. How do I explain my situation in the best and most embellished way?</p>

2

<p>wow thats a hard situation, just be explain in your application what happened and how you learned your lesson and how you wouldn t do it again stuff like that</p>

<p>r u really confident that u will get into usc, i am applying there too but i am very nervous!!!</p>

3

<p>First, you should find out what happened to your record. Were you actually convicted? Were you charged as a minor or as an adult? Was conviction sealed or expunged? After you find out what precisely happened, you should call the admissions office, and ask to speak with the dean of admissions. Then you should explain your situation and ask him whether you are required to list convictions for juvenile offenses or convictions records of which were expunged or sealed.</p>

<p>You don’t want to “conveniently” omit information that you are required to list. That may constitute fraud and may result in revocation of the offer of admission or revocation of a degree (if they find out later).</p>

<p>USC Associate Dean/Director of Undergraduate Admission is Timothy Brunold. The phone number for his office is 213-740-6753.</p>

4

<p>I was going to give my input, but drek said everything which was necessary.</p>

5

<p>weird my friends had the same thing happen to him at samo high and he had to goto malibu</p>