ShadowFairy

Thank you, I will certainly investigate the codes of conduct for each graduate program I will apply. What do you mean by 'slapdash policies that have been boiler plated together'? Do you suggest that these kinds of policies have been pieced together from different sources and thus can run contradictory with the whole of its statement and purpose? ---------------- I do see your second point, and how I may have come off a little more concerned with my future credentials than for my morals and ethics as a consequence of committing the crime. Tbh, I do regret both cases, in getting reprimanded because if only I had put back all the inventory I initially had a mind to take, and the act/temptation itself. I felt weak and mad at myself for getting myself in this imbroglio in the first place. I certainly do regret committing the crime, and getting caught has enlightened my sense a little more to the moral and justice values of our law-abiding society and as a citizen. I have been trying to alleviate my temper issues lately, by practicing good stress-relieving techniques as well as being more manageable with my money so that I can allow myself to afford these things.

Yes, it is. I wanted to come clean with everything and confessed to all of my wrongdoings. Again, they were very minor things like erasers, lead, and a notebook (not sure if this counts as minor). I figured it if I wanted to repent and start with a morally clean slate, then I might as well ensure that I would face the proper repercussions that came with my theft and misconduct. I was feeling remorseful at the time, but thankfully the guard didn't press any further charges against me. I do stress about it from time to time, whenever I reflect back upon my actions at the time. It reassures me a little to know that grad schools would only want to see my academic record, but at the same time I am ready to take responsibility and explain my actions. Although I'm not sure if the scare will ever come out of my guilty conscience.

My university maintains various types of record on a student, which can be academic, medical, disciplinary, etc. I suppose this was my formal disciplinary procedure: I had to pay a fine, write an essay reflecting upon my actions, and attend an ethics class which we were to discuss proper student conduct and integrity. After that I was done. I would have to answer the question with a yes. However, the surveillance guard said that I would never have to report it when applying for jobs or grad school, however when I looked at my student record the written warning by the guard was there. That's why I've been freaking out and deeply regret my stupid stupid actions. Everyone makes mistakes in life, some bigger than others. The written warning is not part of my academic or probation or convicted record. It doesn't appear on my transcript, and only third-parties who have my permission can do access it and view it. It remains confidential otherwise. That sounds like a good idea! But what I'm worried about is how inquiring grad schools will be when they ask about disciplinary action or misdemeanor accounts, especially when apps can vary among the top ones. This was my first-time and (and I will guarantee) only offense, how badly will grad schools take to this? I'm not trying to downplay the crime when I say it was just minor school supplies (and initial intent to steal $30 headphones that day), but I've reformed since that incident and am acutally glad I was caught (who knows how far the temptation might gone?!). I think myself glad it wasn't at a local store or something, things could've been much more serious.

A while ago during April 2013, I made a grave judgment in error that has periodically come back to haunt me ever since. I was caught shoplifting some school supplies (one eraser pen and a pack of erasers) from my university bookstore. Initially I had also considered to take a pair of headphones, but I decided in the end that overall none of the items were worth shoplifting. I was deeply contemplating whether or not to take them, and by the time I had decided not to, I wanted to quickly leave the bookstore as soon as possible, but guess what? I forgot to put back the erasers! A surveillance monitor caught me as I left the bookstore and thus apprehended me. I confessed to him how I come from a poor family that's so tight about money and why I partially did it; in addition he made me confess various petty things I stole over a past period from the bookstore (minor school supplies, once again). I felt sick over the entire situation, showed my sincere guilt and shame over it, and learned from it since then, but with my ambitions to go to grad school it's been eating me away. My question is, how badly will it ruin my chances to a good graduate school (e.g. Princeton, Yale, UC Berkeley)? For the sake of a brief background, that same day I was in a terrible mood and losing my eraser (I tend to be nitpicky about these things) put me over the edge. My judgment was clouded by my anger and I didn't think it worth to spend $3 for an eraser, but the entire fiasco cost me a $200 fine anyway. The guard told me it stays only within the confines of the bookstore records, but I know for a fact that it is also on my student conduct record so any third-party to which I give consent to can ask to see it. I wasn't arrested or anything so I don't have to list it under felony and crimes. Of course, it's not on my official transcript either. First-time written warning, had to write a reflective essay and attend an ethics class. I think my credentials have been moderate thus far for a competitive engineering Ph.D graduate program. I am a Mechanical Engineering major, 3.8 GPA with research experience, member of two honor societies and one professional engineering organization. Any feedback would be appreciated, thank you!