Unusual Problem

[hornbill]

Hi Lisa,

I have a rather unusual problem.

During my undergrad studies (this was around 11 years ago, I was 19), I commited a crime by purchasing a stolen computer. A few months later, the university officials found out about this and I was duly expelled. This is probably one the darkest moment in my life. I've learnt a lot from this episode and I have never commited anything unlawful since.

I continued my undergraduate education at a private college. The college recognized my previous grades and I was exempted from most of the foundation courses. So I basically got a chance to continue from where I stopped in my previous university. Through a twinning programme with a U.K. university, I managed to transfer all my credits and continued my final year at the U.K. university. I completed my undergraduate studies at this U.K. university with a second class upper (honors) degree.

My career progress has been quite stellar and I am now gearing towards an MBA degree. In Chicago GSB's application (and I'm sure other schools will have a similar question), there is a specific question about this (i.e. whether I was expelled from my undergraduate institution).

My questions are:

1. How would the adcom view my case? Will this issue affect my candidacy?

2. Should I address this issue in the optional essay?

CK

[Lisa Anderson]

Dear CK,

Yes, most schools will probably ask if you have ever been expelled or disciplined and for you to explain the circumstances. I think the important thing for you to stress in your explanation is what you learned from the experience and how you are different now. You want to state the facts of what happened, and then write the bulk of the explanation on how you have grown since then. If the school does not have a separate place for you to explain the circumstances, then you might want to write a paragraph in an optional essay about it. I think you will have to weigh what the best option is for the optional essay based on your entire profile. Finally, it is hard to know how much, if any, your expulsion will affect your application. I think most schools will not view it with significance as it was 11 years ago and you purchased the stolen property versus stealing it yourself. I think you just have to apply and see what happens.

Good luck,
Lisa