Academic Probation

Question

Hey all-

If you did poorly one quarter in undergrad and we put on academic probation does that qualify as being disciplinary action by the university? Some of the schools ask and I don't want to mislead them. This is not exactly the kind of question I want to ask an adcoms.

shaselai · Answer

i would think so. They are disciplining the person by putting him/her in probation. I think i saw couple of apps that ask if you have been on academic probation - if that is the question you would have to say yes...

thisguy310 · Answer

I'd agree with shaselai. Make sure you address it in an optional essay and really cover how you recovered or learned from it.

emsepower · Answer

Yeah, thanks for the input. That's the way I assumed to address it but wanted to make sure I wasn't shooting myself in the foot by mentioning it.

shaselai · Answer

i am sure they will ask it if you didnt

Dawgie · Answer

Perfect opportunity for optional essay.

shaselai · Answer

true but you dont want that "opportunity" to arise though

Jeanette · Answer

"Even though the twenty-first amendment clearly repeals it, my undergraduate institution felt it was above the constitution and placed me on prohibition"

No?

emsepower · Answer

I mean, it is somewhat debatable but I would assume that when they see your official transcripts the question will come up. I'm sure in the history of all submitted BIZ apps someone has tried to hide it and at some point the adcoms have learned of this issue and are aware. I can't imagine how bad it would look if you got caught trying to hide it but I'm sure it's a big time red flag.

pranrasvij · Answer

they too do background checks so dont hide or lie.....

brainhurt · Answer

<img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_lol.gif" alt=":lol:" title="Laughing" /> +1

solaris1 · Answer

Unless it was recorded on your transcript, you probably don't even need to bring it up explicitly.

There are several applicants, if not most, who have had a poor quarter here or there in college for whatever reason. All you need to demonstrate is that you're introspective, realize the mistakes you made back then, and are obviously too mature now to repeat something similar in business school.

3underscore · Answer

I went to school with a guy who was nearly kicked out of his undergrad. He was told to take a semester off to think over things (maybe a year actually), having missed exams and everything. He went back, changed courses, got a pretty sound GPA and graduated in the top 20% of the graduating class.

Added to that, the tales and character from doing all that made him one of the more fun people at B-School.

Added to that, the tales and character from doing all that made him one of the more fun people at B-School.

shaselai · Answer

yeah. if you have been on probation but studied really hard and got back on your feet then you can spin that story how that incident made you stronger and appreciate academics more etc. and how you got on dean's list thereafter etc. Try to spin it into a positive if you can

solaris1 · Answer

3underscore is actually talking about himself.

And I believe it, because Stern seems to attract a number of "such" students every year.

VeritasPrepMike · Answer

Yes, I would say it qualifies as academic discipline that needs to be addressed. It will also probably be obvious on your transcript that you struggled in undergraduate. You can use the optional essay to talk about why and how this happened. However, I would caution you to not come off as if you are making excuses. Be honest and take full responsibility for the mistakes you have made. Good luck!

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