Tips for Applying to College with a Criminal Record

 Posted on April 10, 2019 in Criminal Law

Having a criminal charge on your record can make life difficult – especially for young people who are trying to get into college and apply for jobs. But having a criminal record is not a death sentence that prevents you from going to college. In this article, we are going to offer up a few tips for applying to college when you have a criminal record.

Don’t Try to Fool the Admissions Office

Honesty is the best policy when it comes to applying for a job or college with a criminal record. If you are asked on an application form or in an interview whether or not you’ve been convicted of a crime, don’t lie. Tell the truth. It is extremely easy for them to do a background check to see if you have been convicted of a crime. If they find out you lied about it, that’s a guarantee that you won’t be accepted.

Don’t Share More than you Need to

While you should always be honest when asked about your criminal history on an application, you don’t need to share every single detail. If you aren’t asked about your criminal history, there’s no need for you to bring it up.

Ask for an Interview

Request an interview with someone in the admissions office to explain your criminal conviction and how you are much more than your criminal history. This can help give context to the admissions office and show them that you are remorseful and ready to change.

Criminal & Civil Lawyers

When you’re dealing with a legal issue (be it criminal or civil), it’s important to consult with an attorney you can trust. At Appelman Law our attorneys have decades of experience dealing with Illinois criminal and civil law matters. We can help guide you through the Illinois legal process and represent your interests. Reach out to our attorneys today to set up a free initial consultation and get the legal help you need. Our primary office is located in Naperville, but we serve the greater Chicago area and surrounding suburbs.