Need Advice on IA Essay

[AspiringPremed2025]

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Hello all,

When I was young and stupid I made a mistake on 2 of my homework assignments. I was told after the end of the semester that I committed plagiarism and unauthorized collaboration.

Here is my IA essay. I'd like to know if I am taking responsibility for my mistake.

"As a freshman, I took my first computer science class in Spring 2018. I made a mistake with the integrity of my homework. I was cited for plagiarism and unauthorized collaboration. I was notified of both of these violations after the end of the semester, in May and June of 2018. I take full responsibility for not properly completing the assignment.

I was given a disciplinary warning as a result of these offenses, received a zero on both homework assignments, and was required to complete an academic integrity assignment.

I’ve since learned to be extremely careful about what is allowed for assignments. Since then, I have taken my academic integrity very seriously. I have now maintained a perfect disciplinary record for the past 7.5 years."

Thanks for your help everyone!

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Reporting an Institutional Action | SDN

Last month, we discussed what constitutes an Institutional Action in the eyes of the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC). If you have one of

www.studentdoctor.net

I made a mistake with the integrity of my homework.

Could you be more specific and tell us what this means? I don't think you need this sentence, but more specific details would be good.

 

[AspiringPremed2025]

Reporting an Institutional Action | SDN

Last month, we discussed what constitutes an Institutional Action in the eyes of the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC). If you have one of

www.studentdoctor.net

Could you be more specific and tell us what this means? I don't think you need this sentence, but more specific details would be good.

Honestly, the event was so far back, I can't really remember specific details. What I can remember is that my code was similiar to another student's and used code from another student as inspiration but did not change enough for it to be valid on its own. I did not really understand that in computer science it needs to be completely original.

 

[MD_Maker]

Your IA essay is fine, it just leaves me with a few questions. "mistake with integrity of hw" doesn't really make sense. Maybe instead, describe what your understanding was and what you misunderstood. the rest is fine

 

[LizzyM]

You copied someone else's work. That was not a "mistake"; it was deliberate.

"As a freshman, I took my first computer science class in Spring 2018. I made a mistake with the integrity of my homework. I was cited for plagiarism and unauthorized collaboration. I was notified of both of these violations after the end of the semester, in May and June of 2018. I take full responsibility for not properly completing the assignment.

 

[AspiringPremed2025]

You copied someone else's work. That was not a "mistake"; it was deliberate.

"As a freshman, I took my first computer science class in Spring 2018. I made a mistake with the integrity of my homework. I was cited for plagiarism and unauthorized collaboration. I was notified of both of these violations after the end of the semester, in May and June of 2018. I take full responsibility for not properly completing the assignment.

I understand that, but it was still a mistake in my judgment at the time, over eight years ago. I am trying to take responsibility for my mistake. How would you suggest I word it?

I appreciate your advice.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I understand that, but it was still a mistake in my judgment at the time, over eight years ago. I am trying to take responsibility for my mistake. How would you suggest I word it?

I appreciate your advice.

You received a suggestion on how to word it. Keep it simple and fact-based. Make sure you connect with your school to see how they would want you to phrase the citation and confirm whether the incident has been removed from their records.

 

[AspiringPremed2025]

You received a suggestion on how to word it. Keep it simple and fact-based. Make sure you connect with your school to see how they would want you to phrase the citation and confirm whether the incident has been removed from their records.

Thank you and Lizzy for the advice. The school has it on its record but will not disclose it to schools. I believe that some of the admissions people here have said to mention it anyways. Is that correct?

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Thank you and Lizzy for the advice. The school has it on its record but will not disclose it to schools. I believe that some of the admissions people here have said to mention it anyways. Is that correct?

I think just about all of us experts agree it is better to disclose it.

 

[AspiringPremed2025]

I think just about all of us experts agree it is better to disclose it.

Yes, and that is what I plan to do. Honesty is really important to me.

I've edited my letter to the suggestions here and wanted to get your input, if possible, before I submit my application.


"As a freshman, I was cited for plagiarism and unauthorized collaboration on homework in my computer science class. I was notified of both violations after the end of the semester, in May and June of 2018.

I received a disciplinary warning, a zero on both homework assignments, and an integrity assignment.

From that, I’ve learned the importance of academic integrity. I promised myself to stay honest and upright. I have since maintained a perfect disciplinary record for the past 7.5 years."

I would like to expand more about how I changed after making that stupid mistake, but its a 500 char word limit.

 

[LizzyM]

Yes, and that is what I plan to do. Honesty is really important to me.

I've edited my letter to the suggestions here and wanted to get your input, if possible, before I submit my application.


"As a freshman, I was cited for plagiarism and unauthorized collaboration on homework in my computer science class. I was notified of both violations after the end of the semester, in May and June of 2018.

I received a disciplinary warning, a zero on both homework assignments, and an integrity assignment.

From that, I’ve learned the importance of academic integrity. I promised myself to stay honest and upright. I have since maintained a perfect disciplinary record for the past 7.5 years."

I would like to expand more about how I changed after making that stupid mistake, but its a 500 char word limit.

What you have here seems fine to me.

 

[AspiringPremed2025]

What you have here seems fine to me.

Thanks for your help. Can I ask from your adcom perspective how an IA looks like after several years of a clean record? I appreciate what you do for us students!

 

[LizzyM]

The fact that you are 7.5 years removed from this incident makes it different, IMHO, than something that happened 18 months ago. Many of us made errors in judgment - the trick is to learn from them and not to repeat them. It appears that you have done so.