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Freshman year of undergrad, I was charged with academic dishonesty (e.g. plagiarism). I have taken full ownership of it and I know that it was extremely foolish on my part. As a result, I was given a failing grade in the course and a mark was placed on my permanent record. I will disclose this in my applications.

It has been five years since I've graduated from an Ivy. During those five years, I have received a number of awards for my service as an officer in the military. However, I am stuck between extending my contract or pursuing a career in law. Given my past academic record, is a T14 law school possible?

credence wrote: Given my past academic record, is a T14 law school possible?

I bet you get into several

credence wrote:Freshman year of undergrad, I was charged with academic dishonesty (e.g. plagiarism). I have taken full ownership of it and I know that it was extremely foolish on my part. As a result, I was given a failing grade in the course and a mark was placed on my permanent record. I will disclose this in my applications.

It has been five years since I've graduated from an Ivy. During those five years, I have received a number of awards for my service as an officer in the military. However, I am stuck between extending my contract or pursuing a career in law. Given my past academic record, is a T14 law school possible?

With that LSAT score and military service, a URM has a good shot at the T14, maybe even HYS, even with the plagiarism. At the very worst, it's not a waste of time or money to apply. Good luck.

I bet you have a good cycle. Here's how I would look at it as an adcomm: he was 18 at the time, he's now 27-28. Since then, he's served as a military officer, presumably responsible for other people and a bunch of government equipment. He's (probably) deployed in that time. I'm guessing he's matured A LOT since being a college freshman.

You'll still need to write a good addendum, and maybe weave it into your PS. (Perhaps contrasting your immaturity/poor decision making as a freshman with the responsibility and integrity you've learned in the military...you get the idea.)

Combine that with AA status, the military boost, and a 170+ LSAT score, I bet you do just fine.

TheSpanishMain wrote:I bet you have a good cycle. Here's how I would look at it as an adcomm: he was 18 at the time, he's now 27-28. Since then, he's served as a military officer, presumably responsible for other people and a bunch of government equipment. He's (probably) deployed in that time. I'm guessing he's matured A LOT since being a college freshman.

You'll still need to write a good addendum, and maybe weave it into your PS. (Perhaps contrasting your immaturity/poor decision making as a freshman with the responsibility and integrity you've learned in the military...you get the idea.)

Combine that with AA status, the military boost, and a 170+ LSAT score, I bet you do just fine.

He is actually a she. Thanks for all of the solid advice! I was told to apply ED to better my chances of getting into a T14 school, but would you advise against this?

Even though you are a safe bet for, like, NYU/UVA ED, IMO you shouldn't ED
(Unless its to NU, cause they give full rides to their EDs)

You are a safe enough bet to be competitive for scholarships RD, and EDing generally completely forfeits all your leverage

Nova wrote:Even though you are a safe bet for, like, NYU/UVA ED, IMO you shouldn't ED
(Unless its to NU, cause they give full rides to their EDs)

You are a safe enough bet to be competitive for scholarships RD, and EDing generally completely forfeits all your leverage

OP, are you post 9/11 GI Bill eligible? That adds quite a dimension to the scholarship question. Also, have you considered FLEP? If you're torn between staying in the military and pursuing law...could do both.

TheSpanishMain wrote:OP, are you post 9/11 GI Bill eligible? That adds quite a dimension to the scholarship question.

good point

Academic dishonesty is a pretty big no-no (and might ding you unexpectedly at a weird school or two you weren't expecting to be dinged at), but you'll have a terrific cycle nonetheless.

Like others have said, don't ED. Is it too late to apply for FLEP/your branch's equivalent? That's easily the best solution for your situation.

TheSpanishMain wrote:OP, are you post 9/11 GI Bill eligible? That adds quite a dimension to the scholarship question.

Yes.

twentypercentmore wrote:Like others have said, don't ED. Is it too late to apply for FLEP/your branch's equivalent? That's easily the best solution for your situation.

I've heard great things about the program, but I'm not interested in pursuing that path.

credence wrote:

TheSpanishMain wrote:OP, are you post 9/11 GI Bill eligible? That adds quite a dimension to the scholarship question.

Yes.

Good times. Are you a resident of Virginia, California, Michigan, or Pennsylvania?

Honestly, you're in a great position. I would apply to the entire T-14 and enjoy multiple good options.

I'm currently stationed in NC, but I have no idea where I'll be after my EAS date. I really appreciate the feedback.

TheSpanishMain wrote:Pennsylvania?

TheSpanishMain wrote:Pennsylvania?

TheSpanishMain wrote:Pennsylvania?

TheSpanishMain wrote:Pennsylvania?

the UPenn is a state school thing never gets old.

twentypercentmore wrote:

TheSpanishMain wrote:Pennsylvania?

TheSpanishMain wrote:Pennsylvania?

TheSpanishMain wrote:Pennsylvania?

TheSpanishMain wrote:Pennsylvania?

the UPenn is a state school thing never gets old.

I was talking about Penn State, OBVIOUSLY.

(D'oh!)

Some T14s (like Yale and Chicago) will take academic dishonesty violations very seriously. I see you wait-listed there at best. Still, I think its worth applying to all the top schools, and you'll definitely see some positive action.

Enjoy Harvard. No way a plagiarism offense from almost a decade ago will keep them from admitting a URM with a 171.

I'm definitely not holding my breath for HYS. I really like the veteran presence at Columbia, so hopefully they'll bite.