High School Suspension

[Tapi]

So it turns out, upon further inspection, that one of the schools I already submitted my application to includes HIGH SCHOOL nonacademic suspensions in their background info question. I did not notice this since every other school only cared about college disciplinary stuff. 

 

I was suspended in my junior or senior year for one day for a verbal altercation with someone in gym class. It was really dumb and not even kind of anything I would do now, but I answered no to that question without realizing. 

 

I sorta figure that it wouldn't really hurt my case to send an email to the school explaining this- its about the most low key thing that i could possibly have gotten in trouble for. It's the fact that i technically, although accidentally, lied about it- even though I can't possibly see how they would find out- which makes me look bad. 

 

Any thoughts?

[TakeruK]

I agree with you that it will probably not hurt you at all. I think that you should go ahead and do what makes you feel more comfortable/happier about yourself if you are not sure whether or not to write to the school to clarify this point.

[Loric]

I'm amazed a school asks for that..

 

Screw them. That's my gut reaction. That is literally something that is more than 4 years ago in your life at minimum and also while you were a teenager. Teenagers do dumb things, it's a requirement.

[iExcelAtMicrosoftPuns]

I'm amazed a school asks for that..

 

Screw them. That's my gut reaction. That is literally something that is more than 4 years ago in your life at minimum and also while you were a teenager. Teenagers do dumb things, it's a requirement.

I agree.

What sort of school would ask for this?

[Tapi]

I agree.

What sort of school would ask for this?

 

you and me both. Ignoring was my gut reaction too, but then you get into all these stupid problems about how it would have been fine if I just said something but since I later knowingly omitted it its a coverup or some idiotic thing like that. 

 

bureaucracy is crazy. 

[Loric]

Well, the good news is that no one is ever going to check or ask.. and if you give yourself a week you'll forget again and it wont be an issue.

[Guest Gnome Chomsky]

Wow that's crazy. I got kicked out of 3 high schools and suspended who knows how many times. But I went to a community college with a GED. 

[Loric]

I was threatened with expulsion, but when the VP tried to do it the principal said "No, we need his test scores... and everyone thinks Mr. XYZ is a #%@!" and then I was excused and sent home.

[MadtownJacket]

I would just be honest and send them an email about it.  If they don't accept you, I highly doubt it would be because of the high school incident.

[Loric]

I would just be honest and send them an email about it.  If they don't accept you, I highly doubt it would be because of the high school incident.

 

Then, logically, wouldn't you be able to send the email AFTER you've been accepted..? And just clear things up..?

[Tapi]

Then, logically, wouldn't you be able to send the email AFTER you've been accepted..? And just clear things up..?

 

that seems shadier.

[Sigaba]

 

answered no to that question without realizing. 

 

...

 

Any thoughts?

 

Read the fine print on your application materials. Specifically, look for language in which you agreed to a background check and/or you affirmed that the answers you provided to all questions are correct and complete.

 

If you've agreed to a background check, that check may be farmed out to a private firm that has a rubric for evaluating errors/omissions/inconsistencies. If the program to which you're applying is a stickler or the competition for spots is especially intense, your unintentional omission (rather than the suspension itself) may be the reason used to not accept you. For this reason, you might benefit from calling and writing the program in question to see what steps you can take to mitigate your oversight. ETA: The purpose of writing (as opposed to emailing) is to do what you can to get a physical piece of paper attached to your application materials. Someone can say/email "Yeah, I'll take care of it, don't worry" and end up dropping the ball.

 

 

Going forward, understand that each individual's past is more and more a hunting ground for people and institutions in authority. For worse and for better, "know your horses/do your due dilligence" is one of the lessons learned of the Great Recession. (Although elements of this sensibility emerged as the Dot Com bubble was bursting.)

Edited December 27, 2013 by Sigaba