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Minor traffic violations? Top 30 schools?
Posted: Thu Dec 02, 2010 2:58 pm
by JJDancer
Do any schools in the top 30 ask about MINOR tickets/accidents etc (moving violations)?
None of the schools I have looked at so far do, but I'm looking for a heads up in case I need to go digging around in some driving records. Thanks.
Re: Minor traffic violations? Top 30 schools?
Posted: Thu Dec 02, 2010 3:08 pm
by sidhesadie
I'm curious on this as well, as one app says 'including traffic violations'
I got a ticket like 15 years ago. I have NO clue how to find when it was, etc.
It wasn't in my county and I don't remember where I was when I got it, other than the state.
Do I seriously need to look that up? It was just a speeding ticket. Ugh.
Re: Minor traffic violations? Top 30 schools?
Posted: Thu Dec 02, 2010 3:09 pm
by JJDancer
sidhesadie wrote:I'm curious on this as well, as one app says 'including traffic violations'
I got a ticket like 15 years ago. I have NO clue how to find when it was, etc.
It wasn't in my county and I don't remember where I was when I got it, other than the state.
Do I seriously need to look that up? It was just a speeding ticket. Ugh.
Which school asks this?
Re: Minor traffic violations? Top 30 schools?
Posted: Thu Dec 02, 2010 5:12 pm
by lawyerwannabe
On NYU and Vanderbilt, it said something along the lines of "... or ever committed an offense (whether or not defined as a crime).
I added a quick ticket addendum for these two schools. Out of the other six I applied to, I did not attach any addendum because all of the other apps either said not to worry about minor traffic violations (any ticket you get while driving pretty much barring DWI, etc.) or they asked have you ever committed a crime (and a minor traffic violation is not a crime).
My two cents.
Re: Minor traffic violations? Top 30 schools?
Posted: Thu Dec 02, 2010 5:12 pm
by jwaters
I believe Vandy does, or at least they don't exclude minor violations. There was another one I applied to that also did but I cant think of it now....maybe Illinois or William and Mary.
Re: Minor traffic violations? Top 30 schools?
Posted: Thu Dec 02, 2010 5:30 pm
by JakeL
I think maybe Notre Dame does as well if I remember correctly... Either that or I misread the C&F and set myself up for an auto-ding.
Re: Minor traffic violations? Top 30 schools?
Posted: Thu Dec 02, 2010 6:03 pm
by ads222
Add Wash U and Emory, too.
Re: Minor traffic violations? Top 30 schools?
Posted: Thu Dec 02, 2010 6:06 pm
by Dwigt
JakeL wrote:I think maybe Notre Dame does as well if I remember correctly... Either that or I misread the C&F and set myself up for an auto-ding.
Disclosing minor traffic violations, even when not explicitly asked to disclose, is not going to be an auto-ding (unless your driving record rivals that of Jake and Elwood Blues, that is).
Bottom line, don't worry too much about it.

Re: Minor traffic violations? Top 30 schools?
Posted: Thu Dec 02, 2010 6:08 pm
by thelaststraw05
I called Vandy because I wasn't sure from their application. Their reply is include everything.
Re: Minor traffic violations? Top 30 schools?
Posted: Thu Dec 02, 2010 7:21 pm
by kxz
If it tells you to exclude moving violations, exclude it. If it tells you to include your moving violations, include it. If it doesn't specify, include it anyways. Moving violations won't get you auto-dinged unless it's some ridiculously high number.
Re: Minor traffic violations? Top 30 schools?
Posted: Thu Dec 02, 2010 10:36 pm
by turnonbrightlights
Uh oh, does this include parking tickets also? I got a parking fine a few years ago in a rental car in a different state. I have no clue how to write an addendum--how specific do I have to be?
Re: Minor traffic violations? Top 30 schools?
Posted: Thu Dec 02, 2010 10:57 pm
by thelaststraw05
turnonbrightlights wrote:Uh oh, does this include parking tickets also? I got a parking fine a few years ago in a rental car in a different state. I have no clue how to write an addendum--how specific do I have to be?
My understanding with Vandy at least was no to parking tickets, but yes to moving violations (speeding tickets, passing on the right, etc.)
Re: Minor traffic violations? Top 30 schools?
Posted: Thu Dec 02, 2010 11:05 pm
by McDeere
Minnesota does. It only includes moving violations for them.
Re: Minor traffic violations? Top 30 schools?
Posted: Thu Dec 02, 2010 11:47 pm
by krad
turnonbrightlights wrote:Uh oh, does this include parking tickets also? I got a parking fine a few years ago in a rental car in a different state. I have no clue how to write an addendum--how specific do I have to be?
Dude. I wouldn't have
ever thought of parking tickets had this not been suggested. I guess I'm set for auto ding with all my apps, because I definitely did not include a dozen or so parking tickets from LA... not to mention a few with rental cars during work travel... oh and the parking ticket in Germany on the rental car... <sarcasm>
I'm nearly a billion% sure you'd be fine.
We really did get a parking ticket in Germany, though

Re: Minor traffic violations? Top 30 schools?
Posted: Thu Dec 02, 2010 11:49 pm
by HeavenWood
BC, BU, and Boalt all recommend disclosing them.
ads22: When I called WUSTL's admissions office, they told me disclosure wasn't necessary for minor traffic violations.