Withhold transcripts from schools I dropped out

[tommy87]

Hi everyone,

I started grad schools about 3 years ago but for personal reasons I had attended 2 different schools (for no more than 2 semesters each) and dropped out from both. Now I'm attending a new school (3rd one) and just finish my MS and everything has been settled so I start to apply for PhD again. My friend told me that it would harm my applications if I put the first 2 schools from which I dropped out in my application and he also said the adcoms won't have time to check and verify this info if I do not declare it in my application and their courses do not appear on my new transcripts anyway. However, I'm really worried about this. What if I get accepted and enroll and they find out later that I do not disclose all my info. Is there any way they can find out about that? And what are the consequences?

Thanks

[modernity]

Hi everyone,

I started grad schools about 3 years ago but for personal reasons I had attended 2 different schools (for no more than 2 semesters each) and dropped out from both. Now I'm attending a new school (3rd one) and just finish my MS and everything has been settled so I start to apply for PhD again. My friend told me that it would harm my applications if I put the first 2 schools from which I dropped out in my application and he also said the adcoms won't have time to check and verify this info if I do not declare it in my application and their courses do not appear on my new transcripts anyway. However, I'm really worried about this. What if I get accepted and enroll and they find out later that I do not disclose all my info. Is there any way they can find out about that? And what are the consequences?

Thanks

Yes they can find out about it - they can find out from profs who travel in the same circles that taught there- among other ways. Academia is a SMALL world.

Withholding information like that and transcripts (especially those that reflect negatively on you) can result in dismissal of your application and/or you if you're accepted once they find out. Thats a big risk to take - even if they don't throw you out for it - you will look VERY bad. While yes, it wont be a positive thing that you have a record of dropping out, it'll be worse if you have that AND lie about it - find a way to explain it in your SOP, have your recommenders address it in their letters, etc. You completed a program - and I assume did well in it, that should be good proof that you're committed now.

[tommy87]

Yes they can find out about it - they can find out from profs who travel in the same circles that taught there- among other ways. Academia is a SMALL world.

Withholding information like that and transcripts (especially those that reflect negatively on you) can result in dismissal of your application and/or you if you're accepted once they find out. Thats a big risk to take - even if they don't throw you out for it - you will look VERY bad. While yes, it wont be a positive thing that you have a record of dropping out, it'll be worse if you have that AND lie about it - find a way to explain it in your SOP, have your recommenders address it in their letters, etc. You completed a program - and I assume did well in it, that should be good proof that you're committed now.

Thank you very much for your response. I clear my mind now and certainly will be honest in disclosing all my info in my app. However, as for clearing up the dropout things, would it be a reasonable approach if in my SOP I just say that I got bored, unmotivated and could not get along well in the previous schools but now I'm more motivated and determined and to pick myself up, dusting myself off and get ready for PhD.

[modernity]

Thank you very much for your response. I clear my mind now and certainly will be honest in disclosing all my info in my app. However, as for clearing up the dropout things, would it be a reasonable approach if in my SOP I just say that I got bored, unmotivated and could not get along well in the previous schools but now I'm more motivated and determined and to pick myself up, dusting myself off and get ready for PhD.

I wouldn't be as blunt in saying you were bored... I'd say things like "I struggled for an academic fit to my pursuits...but now am firm...." something like that. I've always been told its better if your recommenders address it than you, because SOP's are short and they need to stay as positive as possible - if you have to address it in the SOP just make sure you don't use any negative language when talking about it.