faile lab due to honor code violation

[zriceman]

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Hi all i need some feedback on this one.
Last semester I was found guilty of sharing my answers of my chem lab report to my lab partner. The lab policy stated that lab reports must be done individually but everyone talked about it to each other so i thought it was no problem working it with my friend. I was guilty of facilitation which my school described as intentionaly or knowning helping someone commit act of academic dishonesty.
I recieved an F in that lab.

I felt like the admission board will not be very leniant to applicants who violated the honor code. How bad has this affected my profile?

 

[drhobie7]

If admissions boards find out why you got the F, I think you're going to have a tough time getting in anywhere.

 

[polarnut]

man...you better hope you pull off 4.0 GPA and 25+ DAT scores and save few african villages...

violation of honor code due to cheating or any kind of academic dishonesty would be detrimental to your admission to dental school, let alone any professional school.

 

[kiggar4l2000]

Hi all i need some feedback on this one.
Last semester I was found guilty of sharing my answers of my chem lab report to my lab partner. The lab policy stated that lab reports must be done individually but everyone talked about it to each other so i thought it was no problem working it with my friend. I was guilty of facilitation which my school described as intentionaly or knowning helping someone commit act of academic dishonesty.
I recieved an F in that lab.

I felt like the admission board will not be very leniant to applicants who violated the honor code. How bad has this affected my profile?

u got f-ed in the a

 

[zriceman]

would the schools even grant me an interview to explain myself? or should i just give up going to dental school already....

 

[tinman831]

I'm pretty sure that it depends on each person's situation, but interviews can be granted to someone with a blotch on their record. People make mistakes and admissions committees are aware of this. If they choose to, the school will interview you may get a chance to explain the situation. Not all hope is lost, although you may have made it much more harder for yourself. Anything is possible and if you want to be a dentist, MAKE it happen. Don't let anyone here tell you otherwise.

 

[drhobie7]

would the schools even grant me an interview to explain myself? or should i just give up going to dental school already....

If I was you I would try and get the class and grade removed from my record. Perhaps they can retroactively change it to a W. (I'm just throwing out ideas here). If that doesn't work I would make sure the fact that you 'cheated' doesn't wind up anywhere on your application. Then retake that lab and get an A. If anyone asks why you got an F, I would say something like "I had a conflict with the class that arose after the withdrawl deadline." If they ask what the conflict was you can make up something.

I wouldn't let this get in the way of my career goals. FYI, I don't think any dental school will admit an applicant with a documented history of cheating. I don't think they would entertain your explanation either.

 

[MC4]

Check and see if it is reflected on your official transcript or in your records. If not, you may be okay, if it is, definitely do not try to hide it.

 

[philicity]

If I was you I would try and get the class and grade removed from my record. Perhaps they can retroactively change it to a W. (I'm just throwing out ideas here). If that doesn't work I would make sure the fact that you 'cheated' doesn't wind up anywhere on your application. Then retake that lab and get an A. If anyone asks why you got an F, I would say something like "I had a conflict with the class that arose after the withdrawl deadline." If they ask what the conflict was you can make up something.

I wouldn't let this get in the way of my career goals. FYI, I don't think any dental school will admit an applicant with a documented history of cheating. I don't think they would entertain your explanation either.

Hm....I don't think there would be any way to "erase" the cheating record. Be sure not to lie and make up an excuse--schools might discover the truth, one way or another, and that'll be the end of your chances to get in. I would try to explain the F and the cheating situation in your personal statement and turn it into a learning experience. Play it safe.

 

[Dying2beDDS]

.

 

[food4thots]

having an F doesn't mean the admissions committee wont consider you for an interview. but, having academic dishonesty on your records is another story. good luck.

 

[food4thots]

Why can you not spell fail correctly? I mean come on! If you're going to start a thread about failing, at least make sure you spell the word correctly!!! Otherwise, you are just going to look like a complete dumb**!!! I am soooo sick of people getting away with terrible spelling on this site! If I see one more person who has been accepted to dental school who cannot spell I am going to vomit!

prepare to vomit.. it's gonna happen. just cause u're going to be a doctor doesn't give you good grammar. plus, it's the internet.

 

[tinman831]

Why can you not spell fail correctly? I mean come on! If you're going to start a thread about failing, at least make sure you spell the word correctly!!! Otherwise, you are just going to look like a complete dumb**!!! I am soooo sick of people getting away with terrible spelling on this site! If I see one more person who has been accepted to dental school who cannot spell I am going to vomit!

I think he was trying to type "failed" but the 'd' at the end didn't come out. If you are going to freak out about bad speeling, you might want to avoid reading any posts here at all. 😉

 

[RedsFan]

I don't know if I would blatantly lie about it to the admissions committee. Because if they ever found out you lied to them, you'd be guilty twice. However I do agree not to outright tell them on your application. During interviews a lot of schools ask what one of your weaknesses are. Maybe you can say something like you have such a strong desire to help people that it has gotten you in trouble in the past. Let them know that you were just explaining how an answer was found, and while you thought what you were doing was perfectly alright, the instructor unfortunantly didn't. However, it served as a valuable lesson not to be made twice. Everybody makes mistakes

 

[Dr. Dai Phan]

Hi all,

Everybody makes mistakes and everybody deserves a second chance. People have hearts too so do not count yourself out. I have no doubt of you getting in DS if you have adequate GPA, good DAT score and a good explaination of your misfortune. Disclose ONLY if you are asked. Do not advertise your guilt unless you have to disclose it. I don't think the F on your transcript comes with the disclaimer like the sex offender rap sheet. Post your stats and let's see where you are. I got into DS with an F in organic chemistry a semester before I applied. So don't count yourself out. DP

 

[syn_apse]

sorry but you were found guilty of an honor code violation and that's pretty much the end of the road for you. i can't think of a single university that wouldn't mark an incident like that on your official transcript. if for some reason there is no record of it (very unlikely) you still failed a course required for dental school. sure you could retake the course, but you will still have to answer the following question on your AADSAS application:

Have you ever been dismissed, expelled, found to have violated an honor code, disqualified, suspended, put on probation, or otherwise been subject to disciplinary action at any college or university in connection with your academic performance or misconduct?

now if you don't answer this honestly, you will be a cheater and a liar... and if you get into dental school and they find out down the road, you will be expelled on the spot, debt and all. the only way to play this is to retake the course, answer your AADSAS honestly and address it in your personal statement. but really, adcoms take ethical violations extremely seriously and you have almost no chance of acceptance anywhere.

in other news, the fact that some SDNers are suggesting that you somehow cover up your dishonesty with even more dishonesty is disgusting. 😡

 

[fightingspirit]

sorry but you were found guilty of an honor code violation and that's pretty much the end of the road for you. i can't think of a single university that wouldn't mark an incident like that on your official transcript. if for some reason there is no record of it (very unlikely) you still failed a course required for dental school. sure you could retake the course, but you will still have to answer the following question on your AADSAS application:
now if you don't answer this honestly, you will be a cheater and a liar... and if you get into dental school and they find out down the road, you will be expelled on the spot, debt and all. the only way to play this is to retake the course, answer your AADSAS honestly and address it in your personal statement. but really, adcoms take ethical violations extremely seriously and you have almost no chance of acceptance anywhere.

in other news, the fact that some SDNers are suggesting that you somehow cover up your dishonesty with even more dishonesty is disgusting. 😡

i second every word

nothing is easier to say without babbling and suspicion than the truth itself! turn the negative experience into a positive one and hope for the best....

 

[tonydds]

Hi all,

Everybody makes mistakes and everybody deserves a second chance. People have hearts too so do not count yourself out. I have no doubt of you getting in DS if you have adequate GPA, good DAT score and a good explaination of your misfortune. Disclose ONLY if you are asked. Do not advertise your guilt unless you have to disclose it. I don't think the F on your transcript comes with the disclaimer like the sex offender rap sheet. Post your stats and let's see where you are. I got into DS with an F in organic chemistry a semester before I applied. So don't count yourself out. DP

i personally know someone who was caught cheating on a test, received an F, but retook the course. This friend got in first round. I know cheating looks bad, but alot of people here act like they never shared answers in an organic lab report or in any lab report. If they don't accept you for cheating then why dont they just stop your application at that question on the AADSAS application?(Have you ever been dismissed, expelled, found to have violated an honor code, disqualified, suspended, put on probation, or otherwise been subject to disciplinary action at any college or university in connection with your academic performance or misconduct?). why bother allowing the applicant to continue with the rest of the appliction? just have a pop up that says "you may not continue the applicaiton because you have been caught cheating, dental school and dental school students look down on people like you therefore you do not not have a chance in the world, go work at mcdonalds for the rest of your life"

 

[Gargamel]

It is sometimes possible for a student to petition a school to expunge offenses provided the student has remained in good standing with out any pattern of disciplinary action. I would investigate this option. Additionally, I might consider consulting with an attorney on this matter. They might be able to best advise you as to your alternatives. I do not have a feel for the degree of difficulty you will encounter in trying to gain admission to a professional program with such an offense on your record. A call to several adcoms might clear this up. Finally, I be certain not to compound this mistake by making another.

 

[Dr. Dai Phan]

Let me make it clear on my statement I just post. I presented a strategy of not "advertising" it unless you are asked. An F does not mean it is from cheating. Just don't put on a PA and tells everybody " look at that F I got on page 2, it is from cheating but here's my answer...". Don't disclose unless you are asked. And when asked, offer good explaination and be remorseful. But the blame on you but do it SMARTLY and be sorry. I am NOT suggesting lying here. Regarding the statement in the application about " have you ever...." I am sure that you will have a chance to explain if you mark "yes" in a seperate sheet. If NOBODY is allowed to apply if you mark yes, then there will be a line that says "please do not complete the application and see your pre-health advisor for recommendations". Do not count yourself out and please SND fellows, don't tell this poor fellow that he has no chance. I have TWO classmates kicked out completely in the first semester from outright cheating then came back and graduated a year after me. DP

 

[tinman831]

There is also a disclaimer on the AADSAS application stating

"Answering “yes” will not automatically disqualify you for admission to a dental program. Many individuals learn from the past and emerge stronger as a result. Full disclosure enables programs to evaluate more effectively this information within the context of your credentials. Failure to provide accurate information in response to this question may jeopardize your application to a dental school."

I also have a friend who was in the exact same situation you are in and my friend got accepted as well. I agree with Dr. Phan in that if they don't ask you, then don't bring it up. AADSAS already asks you that question, and you have to answer yes (there is no way around this). But if they don't bring it up during the interview, then don't say anything. They will have read your response in your application and, if they want to know more, they will ask you.

 

[drhobie7]

The fact that some SDNers are suggesting that you somehow cover up your dishonesty with even more dishonesty is disgusting. 😡

Ahhh, you remind me of a young self-righteous ME! Muahahaha, LUKE I AM YOUR FATHER! Come to the dark side.

Seriously though, the OP's description of his 'violation' doesn't sound like a grave moral transgression, which is why I offered my advice. I think admitting it is the wrong move because then you are branded a cheater and your word is devalued. If they have to choose between 1 applicant who definitely cheated (regardless of the circumstances) and 500 who didn't you're going to lose 99% of the time. Some people are going to say you'll have to worry about being caught later and thrown out of school. They are correct, but I think that likelihood is remote. It's your call. Throughout your life there will be some people, many of whom are unreasonable and in positions of power, who will try and stand in the way of your dreams. Sometimes you need to do what it takes to overcome it.

 

[geckel]

Maybe it's different for you guys at your universities but at mine we have to have a pre-proffessional file set up in order to apply to doctoral programs. Which means that at my school if they decide not to expel you there is another hidden penalty besides getting that F. In order to not get expelled then you had to be cleared by at least 2 or more different offices at your university. One of those offices will be the office of student judicial affairs. When you apply to dental school your advisors will have to send all of your records off to the schools.......which I know for a fact contains your files from judicial affairs.

The point I want to convey to you is that it is not a situation where you can move on like it never happened........the school doesn't even ask for it. Your school (if it is like mine) will hand it to them along with your LOR's and what not as a matter of policy.

So my advice to you is to stick with the honesty plan and if they like the rest of your app then you might get to win them over with a sad story in an interview. Let us know how this turns out........

 

[syn_apse]

i'm just saying that if the incident was serious enough that the OP had to go before an ethics committee, the violation has definitely been recorded somewhere by the university and it will very likely follow the application where ever it goes. if my posts sound harsh, it is only because i don't want to see the OP compound his problems by being evasive or flat-out lying about his mistake.

OP, i know it sucks, but you've got to be up front and honest about what happened in order to have the slightest chance of getting in somewhere. AADSAS lets you explain the incident on your application so be truthful and candid. what you learned from the experience could ironically turn out to be one of the stronger parts of your application.

 

[zriceman]

thanks for all the criticisms, both harsh and supportive. To all those who thinks that i am trying to hide my mistake, i m not. If i was, i would ve never asked SDN for advice on how to prevent dental schools knowing about my F. I m just looking for some hope down the road.

Granted i made an error in my jugdement but this is my first and my last. And i did not cheat given by the definition of my school, but i m guilty of facilitation. I just did not think twice about helping my friend because he is my friend.

 

[SuperC]

I did not read all of the posts but I thought I would give my two cents.

Retake the lab and get an A. I would not address it in my personal statement. I would only address it when asked in the interview. When asked you need to be honest. First, because it is the right thing to do. Second, because when you get accepted some place you will have to have your dean fill out a dean certification form saying that you have you have nothing like this on your record.

As long as you are not defensive about it and you learned from your mistake I think you will be fine.

-C

 

[drengineer]

I did not read all of the posts but I thought I would give my two cents.

Retake the lab and get an A. I would not address it in my personal statement. I would only address it when asked in the interview. When asked you need to be honest. First, because it is the right thing to do. Second, because when you get accepted some place you will have to have your dean fill out a dean certification form saying that you have you have nothing like this on your record.

As long as you are not defensive about it and you learned from your mistake I think you will be fine.

-C

Dean certification form? I've never heard about it before.

 

[drhobie7]

When you get accepted some place you will have to have your dean fill out a dean certification form saying that you have you have nothing like this on your record.

My undergrad school (UCSB) didn't send anything like this.

 

[syn_apse]

i did not cheat given by the definition of my school, but i m guilty of facilitation. My lab partner was found guilty of cheating.

say something like that in the AADSAS ethical section. i'm not sure how to word it, but keep it brief and honest. from what you've told us, it kind of sounds like the school overreacted to your role. perhaps adcoms will think the same thing?

you could also call some schools you aren't applying to to gauge how you should handle it. you don't have to give them your whole story over the phone, just poke around. it's a delicate situation so just be honest and candid and hope for the best.

what are your overall and science GPAs like? nothing says you don't need to cheat like great grades (unless of course you cheat in all your classes jk jk)

 

[syn_apse]

the dean has to sign an ethical release form for all pre-professional applicants at hopkins

 

[zriceman]

say something like that in the AADSAS ethical section. i'm not sure how to word it, but keep it brief and honest. from what you've told us, it kind of sounds like the school overreacted to your role. perhaps adcoms will think the same thing?

you could also call some schools you aren't applying to to gauge how you should handle it. you don't have to give them your whole story over the phone, just poke around. it's a delicate situation so just be honest and candid and hope for the best.

what are your overall and science GPAs like? nothing says you don't need to cheat like great grades (unless of course you cheat in all your classes jk jk)

my gpa so far is 3.31 and 3.2 for sci and i m in second semester of my sophmore year. I know its not stellar but i m going to study hard and do my best.

again thanks for those who offered their support. It helped me alot.

 

[coral2005]

I once caught my roommate stealing my lab report answers that I had worked on for over 5 hours in O-chem. I was VERY close to reporting her.

Could I have gotten in trouble for having left my lab report in my binder, on my desk, and in the room that I shared with a classmate?

 

[Yah-E]

my gpa so far is 3.31 and 3.2 for sci and i m in second semester of my sophmore year. I know its not stellar but i m going to study hard and do my best.

again thanks for those who offered their support. It helped me alot.

Listen, you have plenty of time to redeem yourself! Sure, that "F" will standout on your transcript and it will be asked during your dental school interviews, but be general in your answer.

If you earn a bunch of "A"s in your Junior and Senior years, then that "F" won't even be an issue, but only a topic of conversation because interviewer want to put you on the spot.

I had about 6 "F"s or something like that on my undergraduate transcript, at all my interviews, the interviewers simply asked about them in general. They didn't go over one by one on how/why I got that "F"!

In your case, you shared an answer with your buddy! We've all done that, but most of us never got caught. At least you didn't get caught for cheating off of someone, some one cheated off you!

Just make sure you do well the remaining time you have left before you apply, plus like others said, rock the DAT! Everyone make mistakes, if I have 6 "F"s and a DUI and was given an admission by many dental schools, then I believe your one "F" from sharing will not keep you from dental school interviews IF YOU HAVE THE NUMBERS (DAT & GPA).

 

[INFNITE]

I agree with the fact that your school probably overreacted because IMO the situation really doesn't seem all that serious. Copying answers on homeworks and labs happens all the time (one of my friends always copies P-set answers because he's too lazy to do it). I mean, if you cheated on an exam, that's a whole other issue, but you did not. Cheating on an exam and helping someone out by giving them answers for a lab report are completely different, and it's unfortunate that you got slapped with Academic Dishonesty. Just be honest when they ask about it, and I think you will be fine. Everyone makes mistakes, and it really isn't your fault that your lab partner decided to take the short way out.

 

[colt]

At my school, they would would give you a zero on the assignment the first couple times you cheat, and if you did it again they would refer it to the dean and/or give an F in the class.

 

[colt]

....Atleast that's what it seems to say in the handbook. I'm sure if you turned in a 5 pg report straight from the web, that would likely be an F in the class.

 

[Clovers]

On AADSAS: Have you ever been dismissed, expelled, found to have violated an honor code, disqualified, suspended, put on probation, or otherwise been subject to disciplinary action at any college or university in connection with your academic performance or misconduct?


Does being on academic probation because you have below a 2.0 for a certain quarter apply to this question?

 

[INFNITE]

Yes
the statement says "put on probation" "in connection to your academic performance"

 

[tinman831]

It's really funny because most of the things that we think are okay to do are actually against university policy. I know this may vary from school to school, but at mine, you are not allowed to work with each other on homework or lab reports UNLESS the teacher specifically says so. This rule is seldom enforced, but it IS in the rulebook.

Coral, you probably would have gotten in trouble for leaving your lab report out for your room mate to find according to my university's rules (although this is a gray area). It'd be no different than not covering up your test and having someone copy off of you, even if you weren't unaware of the copying (we can get in trouble for this at my school too).

 

[coral2005]

Coral, you probably would have gotten in trouble for leaving your lab report out for your room mate to find according to my university's rules (although this is a gray area). It'd be no different than not covering up your test and having someone copy off of you, even if you weren't unaware of the copying (we can get in trouble for this at my school too).

But I didn't leave it out. She took it out of my binder that was in my desk drawer!! I would have wanted to punch her if I had gotten in trouble on top of having her steal my work. Do most people keep their completed work locked out of their roomate's reach?

It's not like I had a safe or anything.

 

[duh?]

Hi all i need some feedback on this one.
Last semester I was found guilty of sharing my answers of my chem lab report to my lab partner. The lab policy stated that lab reports must be done individually but everyone talked about it to each other so i thought it was no problem working it with my friend. I was guilty of facilitation which my school described as intentionaly or knowning helping someone commit act of academic dishonesty.
I recieved an F in that lab.

I felt like the admission board will not be very leniant to applicants who violated the honor code. How bad has this affected my profile?

From your post, you got in trouble for being a 'facilitator.' I suggest you come clean when asked and explain how you've learnt from the experince. DO NOT LIE about any of this to the ADCOMS or on your AADSAS. It's one thing to get in trouble 'by association' quite another to tell a lie about your record. Don't give up on dentistry, we all make mistakes, here's your chance to prove you're better than what your record says.

 

[colt]

That is not cheating lol......it's like: "my roommates cousin is a world renowned locksmith and made a a key thus, allowing her to enter my safe which was encircled by rings of fire, but she borrowed a fire resistant suit from the fire department and to top it off....she is a chemistry/Latin major, which allowed her to translate my work done in invisible ink and written in Latin. Did I cheat?"

 

[hockeydentist]

I once caught my roommate stealing my lab report answers that I had worked on for over 5 hours in O-chem. I was VERY close to reporting her.

Could I have gotten in trouble for having left my lab report in my binder, on my desk, and in the room that I shared with a classmate?

Why didn't you, that biatch don't deserve any mercy!

 

[Jaba]

I did not read all of the posts but I thought I would give my two cents.

Retake the lab and get an A. I would not address it in my personal statement. I would only address it when asked in the interview. When asked you need to be honest. First, because it is the right thing to do. Second, because when you get accepted some place you will have to have your dean fill out a dean certification form saying that you have you have nothing like this on your record.

As long as you are not defensive about it and you learned from your mistake I think you will be fine.

-C

Labs are considered part of the course in total as a %, do they actually see what your lab mark was? Does this factor into the GPA differently? I have never had an individual lab mark on my transcript.

 

[INFNITE]

I would assume riceman got an automatic failure for the entire course for academic dishonesty.

 

[SuperC]

Labs are considered part of the course in total as a %, do they actually see what your lab mark was? Does this factor into the GPA differently? I have never had an individual lab mark on my transcript.

This depends on your school. At many schools labs are completely separate than the labs.

-C