High school academic misconduct

[james r hoffa]

My younger brother recieved an academic misconduct (along with the rest of his class) for cheating on an after school project accounting for his final grade. Obviously we're devistated, so lets set emotions aside for now.


I'm wondering how this will impact his possible admission to any of the service academies. Will an academic misconduct automatically bar him from admissions? Will the level of severity of the a-m play a role? Would you consider it a bad black eye for an application, especially for a boarderline cannadiate?

 

[Christcorp]

My younger brother recieved an academic misconduct (along with the rest of his class) for cheating on an after school project accounting for his final grade. Obviously we're devistated, so lets set emotions aside for now.


I'm wondering how this will impact his possible admission to any of the service academies. Will an academic misconduct automatically bar him from admissions? Will the level of severity of the a-m play a role? Would you consider it a bad black eye for an application, especially for a boarderline cannadiate?

The academies don't really ask if you such school related questions. They care about your GPA, SAT/ACT, class rank, etc... Matter of fact, it's been a couple years, but I can't recall there being any questions about even being suspended from school. "But it might have". Now; if an individual failed a class, that would show up on the transcript. If asked about it, and it's told that it was for cheating, I'm sure the ALO and their report might not be too favorable towards it. Just my guess.

 

[vamom]

The academies don't really ask if you such school related questions. They care about your GPA, SAT/ACT, class rank, etc... Matter of fact, it's been a couple years, but I can't recall there being any questions about even being suspended from school. "But it might have". Now; if an individual failed a class, that would show up on the transcript. If asked about it, and it's told that it was for cheating, I'm sure the ALO and their report might not be too favorable towards it. Just my guess.

Just to add....the app does ask (if I remember correctly) if you have ever been suspended. Also, your transcript and permanent academic record are sent directly to the academy by guidance and those infractions are the types of things that are noted on the academic record (at least in our school system). Once there, the only way to have it removed is by appeal and it's a pretty formal process. Not to EVER! second guess Christcorp but I did want to mention this so the OP won't feel 100% confident that it would not be seen by the academy during the record review. And as always, I am happy to stand corrected if wrong!

 

[falconfamily]

Just to add....the app does ask (if I remember correctly) if you have ever been suspended. Also, your transcript and permanent academic record are sent directly to the academy by guidance and those infractions are the types of things that are noted on the academic record (at least in our school system). Once there, the only way to have it removed is by appeal and it's a pretty formal process. Not to EVER! second guess Christcorp but I did want to mention this so the OP won't feel 100% confident that it would not be seen by the academy during the record review. And as always, I am happy to stand corrected if wrong!

Hi VA: you are correct that many school systems will have academic infractions on the student records that are sent to the colleges. Others will only have behavoral infractions (these are always problematic for students) i.e. suspensions and such. So James Hoffa should ask the HS guidance office how it is handled in their school.

 

[Christcorp]

You are both correct. And that is totally unique to the individual school. Our school only puts suspensions and gpa's, rank, classes on their transcripts or correspondence to outside agencies. "It's a PRIVACY issue concerning JUVENILES". But I'm sure there are some schools/districts/states that will send you everything.

 

[Pima]

In VA they do place in the file if there is an academic infraction, in our district that includes plagiarism. Teachers actually scan the essays into a system, and if you forget to quote/footnote that will be put on your transcript as plagiarism.

For this area the way you know you are up the creek re: transcript is if the parents must sign an acknowledgment of the infraction. Sometimes they will just "desk drawer" it and if you behave it won't show up on your transcripts. Other times it is put in the file.

Check with the school to see if it is on the transcript. If it is the AFA will know, not only will they know, but so will the MOC's you are asking a nom from, since they traditionally request a transcript.

 

[Farleigh85]

Admissions might not ever know about it, but make no mistake: cheating is bad mojo--especially for one who aspires to attend a school that touts itself as a leadership laboratory, where personal integrity is ensconced as the prime virtue. Nevertheless, recent reputable studies have tabbed cheating at the high school level at around 75 percent and at the college level at about 66 percent. Those are mind-boggling numbers.

I have had one son at USAFA, and my youngest son was appointed last November. I've had heart-to-heart talks with both of them from when they were still in grade school. I told them I never cheated in high school, college, or graduate school, and that while I didn't always get top grades, I always got honest grades. As a result, I sleep well at night. I'm not making myself out to be a saint. It's just that cheating is something I would never tolerate. I told them I would rather they fail out of USAFA honorably than graduate dishonorably. Grades and class standing are transitory. Integrity and honor are forever.

That said, some kids slip up, get a wake-up call, and never repeat the behavior. I hope that is the case here.

 

[flyusaf93]

"We will not lie, steal, or cheat nor tolerate among us anyone who does, furthemore I resolve to do my duty and to live honorably, so help me God."

Read it, live it!