Fresh Start: Moving to a New School with a Low GPA

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the implications of transferring to a new school with a low GPA, specifically whether one can omit their past academic record and the ethical considerations surrounding such actions. Participants explore the potential consequences of not disclosing a bad GPA and the honesty required in the application process.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question whether not providing a transcript constitutes a lie, with varying opinions on the ethical implications of such an action.
  • Others argue that omitting a bad GPA could lead to expulsion if discovered, emphasizing the importance of honesty in applications.
  • One participant suggests that the requirements for disclosure depend on the specific school's application process and encourages consulting with admission officers for clarity.
  • Another viewpoint stresses the importance of addressing past academic performance in a personal statement, suggesting that transparency might be viewed positively by admissions committees.
  • Concerns are raised about the potential for repeating past mistakes if one does not confront their academic history honestly.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the ethics of omitting a bad GPA, with no consensus reached on whether it is acceptable to not disclose past academic performance. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best approach to take when applying to a new school.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the variability in application requirements across different institutions and the subjective nature of honesty in academic contexts. There is an acknowledgment that individual circumstances may influence the decision-making process.

waht
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Lets say you have a bad GPA at one school, can you go to another school without telling them about your bad GPA and start all over without transfering any credits?
 
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what said:
Lets you have a bad GPA at one school, can you go to another school without telling them about your bad GPA and start all over without transfering any credits?

Based on how universities tend to project themselves... I would think they would expell you once they found out that you lied on your application.
 
Is it a lie simply not to produce a transcript? I'm not being rhetorical; I'm just wondering.
 
jmcgraw said:
Is it a lie simply not to produce a transcript? I'm not being rhetorical; I'm just wondering.

Well they basically ask for something, you lie and say you don't have it. Whether its technically a lie, there still going to refuse you. They won't be swayed if its not perfectly up to the definition.
 
jmcgraw said:
Is it a lie simply not to produce a transcript? I'm not being rhetorical; I'm just wondering.

It very much depends on the school and the information they require on the application form. If they ask you to list all previous education, then you are essentially "lying" if you don't include your aborted schooling.

However, as in many cases when things like this occur, ASK the admission officer! This can be very much dependent on individual school, so a blanket answer here is quite useless.

Zz.
 
I always side on total honesty

what said:
Lets say you have a bad GPA at one school, can you go to another school without telling them about your bad GPA and start all over without transfering any credits?

The question here is about dishonesty and to what extent you want to mislead a university about your questionable background. You must first ask yourself if you have the determination to fix this GPA and do well on the rest of your classes. To start your career by misleading a university just because you want to erase a part of your academic career is just insane and unethical at best. This is not a court of law where you can create an illusion of truth out of a bunch of lies this is academia. How badly did you fail? Did you get thrown out due to poor grades? I think the admission officer would know what would count towards your new program/school but to not address your poor progress is just a recipe to repeat it at a new school. It may happen that none of your previous coursework would count usually a school takes in any class that is equivalent that is B or greater.
 
Submit your past academic experience, and explain why you did poorly in your personal statement. I think they would believe that many in your situation would fib and not include their past poor academics, and if you include it, they might look at this as a positive.
 

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