Cheating

whenhen

10-Year Member
5-Year Member
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Jul 17, 2008
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2
Last month I made an idiotic decision, cheated on a spanish test, and got caught. This was my first time ever cheating in high school. (I once cheated on a spelling test in 2nd grade) Would any of the service academies accept me, knowing that my moral character is not up to par? If not, is there anything I can do to convince them that I am worthy of going to their school?
 
The admissions folks understand that they are dealing with human beings. You made a mistake, and (I assume) learned from it. Instead of worrying, try to make something positive out of it -- be honest, tell them you made a stupid decision, what you have done to improve/correct the mistake, and how it has affected you as a person. I do not beleive this incident is a deal breaker in and of itself...
 
Couldn't agree more with Momof2cadets. This one incident alone will likely not decide your acceptance; however, it will not help your application. You can overcome some of the negativity associated with the incident by following her advice and learning from the mistake.
 
Go easy on yourself. The schools response is sufficient. If this does not become a criminal issue and a subject on the eventual required police report, the issue is closed. I am sure your school punished you appropriately and that will show in your GPA. Case closed.

Of course such thoughts that led you to do that might be a flag to do a hard personal inventory in light of the Honor Code you would be under at USMA. There, no second chances or ability to make repair exist. But you are not in USMA now.
 
Thanks a lot. I'm not beating myself up over it anymore, and momof 2cadets, I'm working hard to give them a long term example of what I learned from it.
 
Sounds like you are on the right road again. How one reacts when faced with adversity is an indicator of character...:thumb:
 
As far as recommendations go, you need 3. Math teacher, English, and Physics or Chem. You don't need any foreign language recs so theres no reason the academy would find out. If you do get your appointment though, remember the cadet honor, never break it.
 
Should you be accepted...don't make that mistake again, there are generally no (or very very few) second chances when it comes to cheating at a service academy.
 
Last month I made an idiotic decision, cheated on a spanish test, and got caught. This was my first time ever cheating in high school. (I once cheated on a spelling test in 2nd grade) Would any of the service academies accept me, knowing that my moral character is not up to par? If not, is there anything I can do to convince them that I am worthy of going to their school?


You will need to write essays as part of your application process. My son cam in via the Air Force and was a total nightmare in High School. One of the things I suggested was to take the negative and turn it into a positive. he wrote a whole essay on something stupid he did and high school and wrote that the impact of what he did turned his life around. It got him to think straight, focus harder and definelty made him understand that duty, honor and country was nothing ever to take for granted.

Keep doing well in school, focus as hard as you can and I'm sure you will be fine.
 
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