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I received an academic misconduct warning in university. I missed one class and then borrowed notes (excel file) from a student. I then passed the notes to another friend of mine. When I started my project two weeks later, I created new spreadsheets in the same file. Although my work was completely different from the other two, my professor decided that I was being dishonest based on the three files' identical creation date. This warning did not show on my transcript and my grade for that class was unaffected. I asked my college and told me that this WILL show on dean's certification.

Any idea how bad is it gonna hurt my application??? It was an accounting class so I guess the professor uses very strict methods to check cheating.

mshao3 wrote:I received an academic misconduct warning in university. I missed one class and then borrowed notes (excel file) from a student. I then passed the notes to another friend of mine. When I started my project two weeks later, I created new spreadsheets in the same file. Although my work was completely different from the other two, my professor decided that I was being dishonest based on the three files' identical creation date. This warning did not show on my transcript and my grade for that class was unaffected. I asked my college and told me that this WILL show on dean's certification.

Any idea how bad is it gonna hurt my application??? It was an accounting class so I guess the professor uses very strict methods to check cheating.

Many schools don't ask for a dean's cert.

Yes, but they'd ask questions... my plan is to disclose it and send in an addendum. Just wonder how bad is it gonna hurt.

The only school I remember asking for a Dean's cert was Stanford. I wouldn't worry about it.

Yea, I'd write a short addendum, but it won't hurt much, if at all. If it was serious, you wouldn't have completed the class and received a decent(?) grade.

shoeshine wrote:

mshao3 wrote:I received an academic misconduct warning in university. I missed one class and then borrowed notes (excel file) from a student. I then passed the notes to another friend of mine. When I started my project two weeks later, I created new spreadsheets in the same file. Although my work was completely different from the other two, my professor decided that I was being dishonest based on the three files' identical creation date. This warning did not show on my transcript and my grade for that class was unaffected. I asked my college and told me that this WILL show on dean's certification.

Any idea how bad is it gonna hurt my application??? It was an accounting class so I guess the professor uses very strict methods to check cheating.

Many schools don't ask for a dean's cert.

I'd still disclose it. Many (most? all?) schools ask for a dean's cert as part of your enrollment paperwork, so the law school's going to find out eventually and I'd rather worry about it affecting my apps than worry about it getting my admission rescinded.

You should appeal it if you can. Otherwise, if they don't ask for it, don't offer it. Save yourself a headache.

If they don't ask on the application, don't mention it. Tell them about it immediately after you matriculate, though. This will come up again during your bar application, and your school will be able to advocate for you if they know about it.

I would definitely appeal this. First,if you haven't tried, go the professor and try to explain your situation. Offer to bring your friends in and they can support the truth. If this does not work, go the department chair and do the same. If your prof is the chair or the chair won't listen go to the dean and try to work it out. Lastly, try the academic provost or someone in admin that can help you like the director of student life (or someone in a similar position). The thing is just keep going up the ladder. Remember though, always present yourself in a respectful non-confrontational way, ie dont say the prof is lying. If you have a prof that knows you and you have friendship with they may be able to help with getting you into seeing admin as well or putting in a good word.

It wont matter. Law schools would accept almost anyone with a decent LSAT score who can qualify for loans. the c&f committee wont care as long as you say you are sorry and learned your lesson.

Cory045 wrote:I would definitely appeal this. First,if you haven't tried, go the professor and try to explain your situation. Offer to bring your friends in and they can support the truth. If this does not work, go the department chair and do the same. If your prof is the chair or the chair won't listen go to the dean and try to work it out. Lastly, try the academic provost or someone in admin that can help you like the director of student life (or someone in a similar position). The thing is just keep going up the ladder. Remember though, always present yourself in a respectful non-confrontational way, ie dont say the prof is lying. If you have a prof that knows you and you have friendship with they may be able to help with getting you into seeing admin as well or putting in a good word.

It was in 2009 and I did argue. My prof asked, did you cheat, I said no (of course I didn't). Then she showed me the identical timestamp and concluded that I lied. She was going to give me a zero on the project, which would lead me to a C/D, but after I argued, she didn't do that and I end up with a B+. I cannot appeal at this point, it already passed the deadline to do it. Gosh I should have appealed! This is totally unfair! I didn't think about going to law school at that time.

bp shinners wrote:Yea, I'd write a short addendum, but it won't hurt much, if at all. If it was serious, you wouldn't have completed the class and received a decent(?) grade.

Yea that's what I thought too... I end up with a B+ for that class and I have a A- overall gpa. The only thing I am worried about is how is it gonna affect my application. My goal is a T20 school.

Thank you all for replies!

You've been a very naughty boy.

Wow.... after a quick scan of my "ethics" book, I'm worried.

** Edit - that is, for myself..... too much self-talk...

On second thought... prepositions and grammar.... ur f'ed

Appeal if you can. If the appeal is unsuccessful, try to get your version included in the record (similiar to contested matters in credit reports). Otherwise, you will need to include an addendum if your appeal is unsuccessful. As presented in your original post in this thread, it doesn't appear to be a serious matter.

P.S. Yale, in addition to Stanford & some other law schools, requires a dean's certification.

CanadianWolf wrote:Appeal if you can. If the appeal is unsuccessful, try to get your version included in the record (similiar to contested matters in credit reports). Otherwise, you will need to include an addendum if your appeal is unsuccessful. As presented in your original post in this thread, it doesn't appear to be a serious matter.

P.S. Yale, in addition to Stanford & some other law schools, requires a dean's certification.

Yale is different from Stanford in that, the latter requires the dean's cert as part of the application while the latter does not.

My understanding is that Yale will not review an application prior to receipt of the dean's certification. One's application is not complete until receipt of the dean's certification at Yale. Yale has required a dean's certification as part of the application for two or three years.

CanadianWolf wrote:My understanding is that Yale will not review an application prior to receipt of the dean's certification. One's application is not complete until receipt of the dean's certification at Yale. Yale has required a dean's certification as part of the application for two or three years.

Not this year....

http://www.law.yale.edu/admissions/12319.htm

Both were admitted. In calling to check on their apps prior to notification of a decision both were told that they needed to furnish a dean's certification.