<p>So during my freshman year I was suspended from my school for drug related charges. I went to Community College for a year and then was readmitted at my original school. Over the past 3 semesters, I have received stellar grades (10 A's in my last 11 classes taken), I have stayed out of trouble, I was accepted for a position as a Peer Advisor in my department. I have good letters of recommendation (one from head of my department/teacher, one from my academic advisor and one from an employer). My GMAT scores are very average (580) but am taking them again and hoping to have around a 630. </p>
<p>The thing is, I'm applying to the MPA and MBA program at the same school that I am receiving my undergraduate degree.</p>
<p>So, does anyone have any advice on how I should write an addendum for my suspension and how badly will this effect my chances of getting in.</p>
<p>Sounds like you have had the reality check you needed, and you’ve been forgiven since your original school let you come back (or your parents did?). If you want to apply, go for it, but you will find that you will appreciate what you learn in an MBA program more after working a few years, so I agree with poster #2.</p>
<p>Well, I haven’t always gotten A’s. I have around a 3.4 right now. not stellar gmat scores and I’ve been suspended. Life would be easier for me right now if I just stayed in where I am for Graduate School.</p>
<p>I got my MBA after 5 years of work experience and living/working abroad as well. It helped that I had real world experience and I was able to get a job right out of school in a deep recession (1992). Others here say to work for a couple of years at least prior to getting an MBA. I agree. If you go straight to grad school with no work, that will have more impact in getting in than an old suspension. If you must do the MBA straight out of undergrad school, expect a lower salary and fewer job offers after graduation then your experienced peers. However, you can temper that problem by doing notable internships with good companies now and continue to do internships in your MBA program. The suspension will not be a factor if you are applying to the same school that you are currently attending. They already know your history. If there are any questions about it just explain – you’ve already proven yourself at the school. Additionally, I assume that you have no criminal record from the incident. Therefore, NEVER bring this suspension topic up in job interviews or otherwise. It is done, you did your punishment, they let you back in. Forget about it and as long as there is no police record there, put it in the past and move on. Don’t beat yourself up about it ever again.</p>
<p>Criminal Record never happened, and yes, this will be the last time that i have to deal with this. I actually forgot i’d ever have to mention it again until a month ago when i started filling out apps. Any advice on how to write an addendum for my application?</p>
<p>Yup. If you must discuss it, then frame it as a learning experience that changed your life. Express that you learned your lesson and the entire experience made you a better person, a better student and that it allowed you to mature as you learned from your mistake. Use your improved grades as proof and state the fact that instead of running away, you actually did your time at a junior college and then applied to reenter the same school that kicked you out and succeeded. Make them impressed at your accomplishment and make it seem that the best thing that ever happened to you was to get suspended as it made you grow up and take responsibility for your actions and your life. I am certain that this is the actual case anyways – you actually did pay a heavy price and turned it around.</p>