Previous Cheating Infraction

[GaGirl92]

I have posted this in the general application section but I thought it might help to post here with people who know the Speech Path Application process. 

Getting straight to the point, I cheated on an exam in an undergraduate course. I took full responsibility for my discretion during a meeting that was set up by the Academic Dishonesty board. The meeting included my professor as well as a facilitator from the board and we collectively decided on what my punishment should, docked points on my exam. I was as shocked as anyone that my professor decided that was my punishment, according to him I wasn't cheating with very useful information. Either way, the meeting and the whole process put the fear of God in me and I felt absolutely terrible that I even put myself in that position and since then I have not cheated on anything. It honestly wasn't even worth it and now I just hate the fact that I did something that may hinder my future. 

Moving on to current issues, I plan to apply to graduate school in Speech Therapy and would hope to begin Spring or Fall 2017. I know that most graduate school applications ask about previous history regarding academic dishonesty and I fully intend to be honest and state what happened but I was wondering at this point is it really even an option. I have a good GPA and good GRE scores but I feel as if they have those stats from most applicants and would prefer to choose someone without academic dishonesty issues. It's just really hard to think that at 19 you could have really just changed the whole course of your future. 

Edited December 15, 2015 by TakeruK
removed some details

[Allegro8032]

I can understand what you are trying to ask, but I think you know the answer to this question. There is a question on the application asking flat out if you have any academic infractions including academic dishonesty, and you are asking if you should be honest when answering it.

Edited December 4, 2015 by Allegro8032

[GaGirl92]

21 minutes ago, Allegro8032 said:

I can understand what you are trying to ask, but I think you know the answer to this question. There is a question on the application asking flat out if you have any academic infractions including academic dishonesty, and you are asking if you should be honest when answering it.

I'm sorry for the confusion. I didn't state my question properly. I didn't mean to say is it an option to not mention the cheating. I'm definitely answering that honestly on my application. I really meant is applying to grad school even an option. I just feel as if I'll never get in now. 

[jmk]

Allegro: the OP is asking if grad school is an option, not if she should state the infraction or not. Is it in the sentence below infers to graduate school. 

2 hours ago, GaGirl92 said:

I fully intend to be honest and state what happened but I was wondering at this point is it really even an option.

 I would email programs you are interested in and ask. Since you have a good GPA and GRE, I would also still apply. I do think it may damage your application, but I also do not think it will completely hinder you- particularly since you didn't receive an automatic F in the course, or get expelled from the incident. 

[kbui]

From what I've heard on graduate school seminars and reading articles on it, it seems that graduate school admissions understand that we're human, and that we sometimes make mistakes. What's important for them to know is that you learned something from that experience and that you've grown from it.

Appeal to their human side as I'm sure they've done things they regret at 19 years old. I mean, unless they're the immaculate Mary. But I'm pretty sure she won't be reviewing your application.

And to be honest, your candor may give them a little tilt of the head or a little "hmm," but if the rest of your application is stellar it won't be this small mistake that will bar you from giving them $140,000+ in tuition money. Your money is as good as any other's!

Edited December 4, 2015 by kbui

[Crimson Wife]

I personally think you'd have a better shot if you worked for a few years in a related job like as a SLPA, special ed paraprofessional, Applied Behavioral Analysis interventionist, Lindamood-Bell tutor, etc. and then applied. It'd be more plausible for you to say as a 25 y.o. with a few years of successful work experience under your belt that you've matured than as a 22 y.o. new college grad.

[GaGirl92]

On 12/4/2015, 6:30:22, jmk said:

Allegro: the OP is asking if grad school is an option, not if she should state the infraction or not. Is it in the sentence below infers to graduate school. 

 I would email programs you are interested in and ask. Since you have a good GPA and GRE, I would also still apply. I do think it may damage your application, but I also do not think it will completely hinder you- particularly since you didn't receive an automatic F in the course, or get expelled from the incident. 

I emailed a few programs and asked for the insight so hopefully they have some advice for me. Thanks for the input.

 

8 hours ago, Crimson Wife said:

I personally think you'd have a better shot if you worked for a few years in a related job like as a SLPA, special ed paraprofessional, Applied Behavioral Analysis interventionist, Lindamood-Bell tutor, etc. and then applied. It'd be more plausible for you to say as a 25 y.o. with a few years of successful work experience under your belt that you've matured than as a 22 y.o. new college grad.

Yeah I've heard distancing yourself from the incident is always good. Just wasn't sure about how long that should probably be. It's just kind of weird because waiting makes me feel like I'm "behind" in life somehow and getting a late start which obviously isn't true as people start graduate school years after undergrad all the time. Thank you for your opinion. 

[Jolie717]

2 hours ago, GaGirl92 said:

I emailed a few programs and asked for the insight so hopefully they have some advice for me. Thanks for the input.

 

Yeah I've heard distancing yourself from the incident is always good. Just wasn't sure about how long that should probably be. It's just kind of weird because waiting makes me feel like I'm "behind" in life somehow and getting a late start which obviously isn't true as people start graduate school years after undergrad all the time. Thank you for your opinion. 

I get distancing yourself from a problem - but keep in mind you would be distancing yourself from your experience in the SLP major as well.  Did your cheating infraction end up being a "warning" with nothing in your public school record?  Was it considered confidential or sealed as long as there were no further infractions or violations?  If so I wouldn't think grad programs would have the right to inquire, and they certainly wouldn't be privy to this information.  Just some food for thought...

[Allegro8032]

Sorry about the misread!

 

I do agree about talking to the programs, but also places where these things need to be reported also allow for an explanation. Just having an infraction, even one for dishonesty, does not automatically flag your application for rejection, but the explanation and detail you provide about the situation will be closely considered by the adcom and weighed against your other merits and faults. How it will ultimately impact your application will depend on those things all together, but also on the opinions and experiences of those who will be reviewing your situation, which you can't control. In the end, what you should consider if its worth giving it a try regardless and see how far you can go or always wonder if it would have been as big of a stumbling block as you fear it will be.