The mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida on February 14 has sparked a national outcry for action to be taken on gun control. High school students across the country are participating in protests and may face discipline for their participation. A number of colleges have come out with statements about how their admissions departments will handle students who have been disciplined for taking part in protests.
For example, MIT's Dean of Admission stated: "[I]f any admitted students or applicants are disciplined by their high school for practicing responsible citizenship by engaging in peaceful, meaningful protest related to this (or any other) issue, we will still require them to report it to us. However, because we do not view such conduct on its face as inappropriate or inconsistent with their prior conduct, or anything we wouldn't applaud amongst our own students, it will not negatively impact their admissions outcome." (full statement at http://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/policies-principles-and-protests)
Other colleges such as Lafayette College, Boston University, Lehigh, UConn, UMass Amherst, Dartmouth and Tufts have joined MIT in this sentiment and have put forth similar statements.
Students need to remember that the operative word is “peaceful." A disciplinary action associated with peaceful participation is not likely to negatively impact admissions decisions but unfortunately needs to be something to consider before participating. Check your college's admissions site to find out their policy.
