Cheating at a test

Last Sunday, I was caught cheating on a history test at school. Will I have no chance to get in to the academy? I know I was wrong, but I gave in to the stress of trying to be perfect. I won't do it again, I just want to know, can this incident ruin my chances for getting into the academy?

Signed, nervous, concerned, and regretting taking the easy way out.

While it's never good to cheat on a test, you can at least appreciate the fact that your conscience recognizes what cheating is. Technically, since you aren't a cadet (yet), you don't live under the honor code yet and can't be penalized by USAFA, so no worries there. It was wrong to cheat on the test, just like it's wrong to cheat on anything, but no one is perfect. We've all made mistakes in life, and the most revealing thing about your character is now how you recover from your mistake. I've heard lots of honor hit horror stories about cadets getting disenrolled, and the biggest common factor was that they weren't willing to accept the consequences of their actions- repeatedly lying when questioned to try and cover up the truth. When you mess up, accept it, be forth-right, learn from your mistakes, and move on. People will respect you so much more if you do that than if its found out that you had been living a lie. Thanks for sharing, hope this helps!

The question is did your school place this in your permanent file, or was this just a teacher talking to you and giving you a 0? Some schools are very strict regarding cheating and will place it in the permanent file.

That might be a factor. SAs and MOCs request a sealed transcript. Transcripts are not just about grades and classes, they basically include everything from clubs, such as NHS to shot records, plus any academic or disciplinary issues. 1st step after becoming an applicant is to get a nom, and if you are from a competitive district, this might be a hurdle to clear for the MOC nom.

If it was just getting a zero, than I wouldn't worry about it.

High school junior said:

I know I was wrong, but I gave in to the stress of trying to be perfect. I won't do it again, I just want to know, can this incident ruin my chances for getting into the academy?

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Yes it can ruin your chances. Given the choice, I would be less likely to accept a cheater than a non-cheater.

I just wonder if this regret is because of what you did, or the fact that you were caught. History is pretty straight forward. I'm guessing this isn't your first dance with cheating. Again, that's a guess, but I have a hard time accepting someone "feels so bad" only after they've been caught.

Dumb move. But it's often dumb moves the separate those who will and won't be accepted by an academy, and even more so, those who will and won't graduate.

Bad move.

You go to school on Sunday?

I doubt it will appear on your transcript. I have seen many transcripts and never seen something like that on one. More likely is that it would negatively affect your letters of reference from counselor, principal, etc.

There is sometimes an essay required about hardships or obstacles in your life for MOC. You could certainly use that space to show how you have learned a lesson and overcome that negative experience.

How did you cheat? Cheat sheet? Look on someone's paper? Steal a copy of the answers? Break into the school during the weekend and alter your test score?

As an educator of 34 years I would venture a guess that a large percentage (probably a majority) of students somehow, sometime have cheated at school or on homework. Of course not what we want from our kids, but it is common. It would shock us all if there would suddenly appear a scarlet letter on everyone that has cheated. I doubt many would escape the mark.

With all that in mind, if you expect it to be a factor, try to use the experience as a positive by doing as you said, never repeating the mistake and working extra hard to be the best you can be. Everyone is human (regardless of what we come to think about our mids and cadets that we hold so dear).

You're young. I hope you can withstand this.

Maplerock,

Good catch. I didn't pay attention to the word Sunday. Now I wonder if this is a troll.

FWIW, in our school, cheating is up to the teacher to report, but if it is, the student would get academic probation placed on their record. It happened to a friend of our DD. It was in their transcript and caused issues.

As you stated the GC can be important on how it is viewed regarding the rec. It can be swept away, or it can be a player.

High school junior said:

Last Sunday, I was caught cheating on a history test at school. Will I have no chance to get in to the academy? I know I was wrong, but I gave in to the stress of trying to be perfect. I won't do it again, I just want to know, can this incident ruin my chances for getting into the academy?

Signed, nervous, concerned, and regretting taking the easy way out.

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Hey, you know it was wrong and have learned from it (I hope). This single incident will probably not 'kill' your application. If you have a history of cheating, that is a different story. Your ALO may inquire about your character when he/she visits your school. If they do conclude that you have a character flaw, then that will be very difficult to overcome. They say that an ALO cannot get you an Appointment, but they can certainly prevent a candidate from getting one. That is their job. I would encourage you to be frank with your ALO and have a courageous conversation with them.

That being said, a single instance of cheating (not just getting caught!) will only be a bump in the road for you. Focus on doing your best from here on out, participate in as many activities as you have time (and interest) for, and get in super physical shape. Don't worry about things you have no control over. Best wishes.

I have to agree with LITS that this was an extremely bad move and definitely shows a lack of judgement and character. The stress of being perfect is absolutely no excuse and won't be accepted as one by the Academy. No one is perfect and its time you understood that right now.

That being said, if there is no history of cheating, and you can show you've dealt with this in a positive manner and learned from it, it may be possible to overcome it. And I emphasize may.... and you will need to be a stellar candidate to do so in my opinion. You must also be absolutely honest about this incident going forward. Good luck.

Application

High school junior said:

Last Sunday, I was caught cheating on a history test at school. Will I have no chance to get in to the academy? I know I was wrong, but I gave in to the stress of trying to be perfect. I won't do it again, I just want to know, can this incident ruin my chances for getting into the academy?

Signed, nervous, concerned, and regretting taking the easy way out.

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On a Sunday? Do you attend boarding school? Only our oldest who is in boarding school has had a test on a Sunday (and then it was a make up a teacher was nice enough to come in and give since D had been sick the week before and wanted to get everything on track before classes began the next week).

If you are, then you probably have an honor council, prefect system etc. and will be hauled in front of that for a review and discussion of consequence. These events tend to be noted in student files. That could in fact hurt you.

Aren't students asked on SA and regular college applications if they have had any school disciplinary action taken against them?
Don't know if an answer of 'Yes' is a deal breaker.

S

Another thing is when you get interviewed for admission be prepared to answer a question if you have ever cheated. Be upfront with them and say yes but use that as an opportunity to show them that you truly did learn from that experience

You didn't take the EASY way out: you c.h.e.a.t.e.d. Very different.

It could be a redo test, exam, APs on Sunday.


I agree with LITS. This wasn't your first time you cheated.

Question: Is a person still perfect, excellence, if they cheated to do it?

I rather fail a class and still get in the academy then to cheat.

LineInTheSand said:

Yes it can ruin your chances. Given the choice, I would be less likely to accept a cheater than a non-cheater.

I just wonder if this regret is because of what you did, or the fact that you were caught. History is pretty straight forward. I'm guessing this isn't your first dance with cheating. Again, that's a guess, but I have a hard time accepting someone "feels so bad" only after they've been caught.

Dumb move. But it's often dumb moves the separate those who will and won't be accepted by an academy, and even more so, those who will and won't graduate.

Bad move.

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Dudes and dudettes. The op has 1 post. It was the one that started this thread. S/he has not replied to anyone's posts. Its either a troll or someone who doesn't really care. I suggest stop posting. We've seen this before.

At one time, cheating on a test was a big no-no at USAFA, it would get you summarily disenrolled.

But judging from recent cases, not so much anymore...

Mike aka CC, I said the same...troll...12 hrs ago when Maplerock stated they failed the test on a SUNDAY

What kid is in class on SUNDAY?

Can we say TROLL?

Folks...

How about we sit here for 24 hours and do NOTHING...let's see if this is a "generate angst" post or ??

Steve