Emergency Question: Do I need to report it?

[RainSunStars]

Without going into details, my freshman year of college I was swept up in a situation (in a GE class) where my class was chosen to be made an "example" and the majority of students were given an F for the course. Being an ignorant 18 year old I accepted what happened without looking into my rights (appeal, protest, asking what this will do to my record, or if it's even on my record), retook the course, and got an A. I never discussed the incident again, nor did anyone else in my academic career bring it up, and I graduated magna cum laude from my university.

Now I'm applying to Ph.D. programs. On one of my applications it asks me to disclose any instance where I was expelled, put on probabtion, suspended, or disciplined by any post secondary school. Does my situation count as "disciplined?" I wasn't put on probabtion, suspended, or expelled (obviously); all I received was the F. I don't even know if this is in my "file," but if it is can other schools find out? I know there are rules about failing to disclose information, and I don't want this to haunt me later should I get in. Still, I fear talking about it will hurt my chances, especially as the situation was so murky and I have no wish to speak ill of anyone involved as they are related to my old university.

What should I do? I don't think it's fair that one incident should ruin my future when I have never been involved in anything similar again and my the rest of my record is stellar. Does this count as "disciplined?"

Thanks!

[anese]

No, that situation would not count.

[docstudent]

I don't think this question would apply to your circumstance. Besides, you've already been "punished" with an F (which does show on your transcript); but even though you fixed the grade for your GPA's sake, be prepared to explain the situation and how you've reacted to it in a way that has made you better today. A good acronym to follow is PAR (explain the past Problem, the Action you took thereafter, and the positive Result that has been realized; I've also hear of STAR and CAR, all similar).

[RainSunStars]

Thanks for the reply anese and docstudent!

docstudent: so you think I should still explain even if my situation doesn't count as "disciplined?" I've been told by other people that a solitary F doesn't really matter on a trascript. When I applied for my master's degree I never mentioned it and everything went fine. The only reason I thought of talking about it is because the application directly asked me, but if my situation doesn't count I was planning just not to mention it. Is this wrong?

Thanks again!

[Ferrero]

Confront it squarely, with no hemming and hawing. Describe what an inexcusable instructor you had, and how you won't tolerate hooligans like that at your next institution. Heads will give a smart nod in the committee room, and you will be admitted.

[docstudent]

Only you can determine whether the grade was a disciplinary reaction to your misbehavior or an unfair punishment for something you were only tangentially involved in (in which case I wouldn't mention it)...trust your conscience and don't betray it. If the grade was a result of your indiscretion, again, I would explain how you've learned and grown from it, but I wouldn't pin the blame on some "hooligan" professor (referring to Ferraro's comments)--that's a treacherous topic I wouldn't bring up in an application, true or not.