Character and Fitness impact
Posted: Mon Nov 27, 2017 9:05 pm
This is a kind of last minute but that's how I operate best. I'm 30 and have a non-traditional career background, applying now for next fall.
I struggled with alcohol as an undergraduate and had several incidents that resulted in punishments from my college and the legal system. I was taken to the hospital twice (although one time it had no legal consequences and my school didn't know about it because I was home at the time). I was suspended for a semester (I also was accused of trying to harm someone but was "innocent" of that allegation) and placed on probation 2 or 3 times. I also was arrested twice for underage possession - a violation level offense (no DUIs). There were 4 total incidents, although one had no ramifications with my school or the law. I also withdrew for a term to deal with things (incl alcohol). The most recent incident occurred over 10 years ago. I received extensive one-on-one alcohol counseling at the time. I have had no issues since the beginning of my junior year. I still drink, but do so moderately - working with my counselor it was always clear that I did not have a problem with alcohol addiction, just responsible consumption.
GPA: 3.57 (Ivy league school). LSAT: 174
Thoughts on how this will impact my application? I'm looking at a mix of T14 and top-30 schools as well as a couple lower-ranked options. Does that seem right?
Also do I disclose the incident the incident in which I was hospitalized but which my college didn't know about and had no legal ramifications? I don't think I'm required to the way most questions are phrased. I want to be totally honest but I don't want to go overboard.
Thanks!
I struggled with alcohol as an undergraduate and had several incidents that resulted in punishments from my college and the legal system. I was taken to the hospital twice (although one time it had no legal consequences and my school didn't know about it because I was home at the time). I was suspended for a semester (I also was accused of trying to harm someone but was "innocent" of that allegation) and placed on probation 2 or 3 times. I also was arrested twice for underage possession - a violation level offense (no DUIs). There were 4 total incidents, although one had no ramifications with my school or the law. I also withdrew for a term to deal with things (incl alcohol). The most recent incident occurred over 10 years ago. I received extensive one-on-one alcohol counseling at the time. I have had no issues since the beginning of my junior year. I still drink, but do so moderately - working with my counselor it was always clear that I did not have a problem with alcohol addiction, just responsible consumption.
GPA: 3.57 (Ivy league school). LSAT: 174
Thoughts on how this will impact my application? I'm looking at a mix of T14 and top-30 schools as well as a couple lower-ranked options. Does that seem right?
Also do I disclose the incident the incident in which I was hospitalized but which my college didn't know about and had no legal ramifications? I don't think I'm required to the way most questions are phrased. I want to be totally honest but I don't want to go overboard.
Thanks!