Grad School: Is a disciplinary sanction for drinking a kiss of death?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the implications of a disciplinary sanction for alcohol use during freshman year on graduate school applications. Participants share personal experiences and perspectives on whether such a sanction could negatively impact admission chances to top graduate programs.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses concern that a disciplinary sanction for returning to the dorms intoxicated could severely harm their chances of admission to a top graduate program.
  • Another participant suggests that a single incident from freshman year is unlikely to be held against the applicant, especially given their strong academic record and achievements since then.
  • A different participant shares their experience of being on probation for drugs during their undergraduate studies and indicates that it did not affect their graduate school applications negatively.
  • Some participants agree that disciplinary sanctions are not typically a significant concern for graduate admissions, particularly if the applicant has demonstrated improvement and responsibility since the incident.
  • Several comments reflect a humorous or cynical take on college drinking culture, questioning the seriousness of the sanction in the context of typical college behavior.
  • There is a mention of varying policies regarding alcohol in dorms, particularly for freshmen, which could influence the perception of such sanctions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally express skepticism about the negative impact of a disciplinary sanction on graduate school applications, but there is no consensus on the matter. Some participants share personal anecdotes that suggest it may not be an issue, while others remain uncertain.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note that the impact of disciplinary sanctions may depend on the specific policies of graduate programs and the nature of the incident, highlighting the variability in how such issues are perceived.

Is freshmen year disciplinary sanction for alcohol the kiss of death?

  • Yes, it is the kiss of death.

    Votes: 1 7.1%

  • Maybe it is the kiss of death.

    Votes: 2 14.3%

  • No, it is not the kiss of death.

    Votes: 11 78.6%
  • Total voters
    14
  • Poll closed .
F=qE
Messages
68
Reaction score
10
Hello wise physicists,

I didn't know who else to ask this question to - so I am posing it to other physics students and people who have been through the program, maybe even with a dilemma similar to mine.

I'm new here to the forums. Currently a 4th year Physics major at a top 10 undergrad program with a great GPA (>3.5) and great research experience and great extracurricular activities. Was getting a disciplinary sanction freshmen year for returning to the dorms intoxicated the kiss of death for my grad school applications?

I'm thinking I should give up all hope of getting into a top 10 graduate program if the disciplinary sanction question is asked (It is not asked specifically on them all, some only ask about academic dishonesty and crimes. The only thing that ever happened to me is this stupid night that resulted in the alcohol sanction). If it is the kiss of death, please just tell me now so I can accept the fact that my dream is crushed and stop being so emotionally troubled over this so I can focus on other programs.

Thanks everyone,
Student that doesn't know what to do.
 
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Not familiar with the academic system that much, and especially in your country, but I highly doubt that they would hold that against you. I mean, if that happened a few times or more recently, yes, maybe. But the people reviewing your application have been freshmen too, they know how "them kids" are when they get fresh into university. I think it would be very strange if they weighed a youth sin more heavily than your recent achievements (which sound fairly promising, as far as I can judge).
 
No, I've talked with people about this. I was put on probation my freshman year for drugs and none said it would be an issue since I've been good since then. In addition to that, what CompuChip said.

I should note that I wasn't charged with a misdemeanor or anything. I was on university probation.
 
It's not likely to be an issue.
 
Thank you for quelling my fears. =)
 
I was sanctioned twice as an undergraduate, once for alcohol and once for drugs. I was an undergraduate at a mid-low (top ~60) tier school. I still got in somewhere in the top ~15 for grad school, though it's worth noting that no school that asked specifically about disciplinary infractions accepted me.
 
What!?. You're a college student and you once got drunk? My goodness! When I was in college, that never happened. Well actually it did, a lot. But I lived in a frat house after my freshman year. I can't imagine any graduate program holding that against you unless it's at Oral Roberts University or some such school.
 
Last edited:
SW VandeCarr said:
What!?. You're a college student and you once got drunk? My goodness! When I was in college, that never happened. Well actually it did, a lot. But I lived in a frat house after my freshman year. I can't imagine any graduate program holding that against you unless it's at Oral Roberts University or some such school.
Yeah, when did this start? Disciplinary sanctions for getting drunk in college??
 
When I first read the title, I thought a "Kiss of Death" might be some cool drink, maybe with liquid nitrogen.
 
Last edited:
  • #10
SW VandeCarr said:
What!?. You're a college student and you once got drunk? My goodness!

I agree, my goodness! Only once?

World is coming to an end, I tell ya.
 
  • #11
The college across the street from my University makes fun of our University because we don't have the party reputation that they do. We can be found working late in our office, drinking.
 
  • #12
Borek said:
I agree, my goodness! Only once?

Well, being an old cynic, when I read the OP my first thought was "and then what did you do AFTER you came back drunk..."

Just being under the affluence of incohol doesn't sound like a big deal.
 
  • #13
Possibly he was just underage?
 
  • #14
Wait a second...you can't drink while you live at the university during your free times? Or did I misunderstood something?
 
  • #15
Some dorms don't allow you to be intoxicated or have alcohol on premises. Usually freshman dorms where everyone is under 21 anyway (in the US).
 

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