Ask an MBA Admissions Consultant

Hello All,

I recently took the GMAT and received a 740 (Q-50, V-40), 8 IR, and 5 AWA. Once i received my score I decided that I was going to apply this year ( I was initially going to wait until next year). But I figured my score put me in contention at most schools. I am hoping to apply to H/S/W, MIT, and potentially Columbia. However when I started researching schools I realized I would need to disclose a low point in my life.

In 2010 I was attending a house party and was underage. The cops arrived at the party and I ran from the party. I was eventually caught and was given a misdemeanor. I pleaded "No Contest" (nolo contendre) and was ordered to pay a fine (roughly $200) and the case was over. However it is still a misdemeanor on my record.

I know for example Harvard asks to list any misdemeanors and explain. I was wondering if any one has any insight on how much this will hurt my chances or if it's just a complete deal breaker. Also any advice on how to explain it that it was a mistake and not indicative of who I am. Would I include this in an essay or just include it when it asks me to explain the situation. I feel like if i just explain it and let it go it wont draw to much attention to it.

Any advice or past experience would be greatly appreciated, this has kept me up many nights :/

Thanks!

First not all schools ask whether you have been convicted of a crime and second only some schools, who do ask, specify a misdemeanor (as opposed to a felony). So, if the school does not explicitly ask whether you have been convicted of a misdemeanor (or ask whether you have been convicted of a felony) then you do not need to discuss the incident.

But if you do discuss the incident, be honest but do not belabor the point beyond what you need to.

Good luck,

And to build upon what Bhavik just said ... first look at the ticket to see exactly what it says. I doubt it says "Ran when cops busted up party." So, how much you reveal should be commensurate with what the ticket says. If it is an open bottle violation then you do not need to add running from the cops - you merely need to explain the open bottle violation.