Oh, I have been sober almost a year...so that may look good...or will they judge me???

Ashley,

I would not include that information for just the reason you thought of...it may follow you....I might make reference to a disabling condition but not be specific...ADA says alcoholism is a disability....

Rigorous Honesty thousands of Docs, Teachers and truck drivers are now being treated and kept . I feel it' s been the thing to do.

A lie could rob you of a superior position just because you lied.
Once you lie you have compromised your character

for myself...today if I were young would absolutely be completely honest.

In my day it was different
Your trying to get rid of the trait of lying....it would hang in your head a long while...always worried you would get caught...you really want that feeling?

No
have faith, tell the truth and you shall be free

Namaste

Since it's already been rejected. If u don't tell them about your alcoholism, it will still be rejected, because of them basing on grades and not "problem" that "was" related to bad grades.

So yes, I would defend your case by tell them about the alcoholism. I would also include all the proof and written proof u have of your sobriety along with how long u have been sober, and what it is you do on a daily basis in order to stay sober. With all of this for them to go on, I do not think there is any way they can deny you. If for any reason they do deny you again based on you telling them about your alcoholism, I would use all the proof u had given, against them on the following appeal because they may have some type of rule that you have to go to so many continued AA meetings per week in order to be accepted in.

No, they are not allowd to judge you based on any "personal" reason. That would be under the category of discrimination.

If u give them a reason of just saying "my bad grades were from a disabling condition". They will not consider that at all unless you have been declared disabled by a doctor, as in social security disability disabled. So chances are, if u wanna go back to school, this problem just might follow u the rest of your life because they are "expecting" you to tell the truth about your past bad grades.

Not sure what is best for you.

My own experience of applying for a teaching course was that I had to share about my alcoholism because I had to be honest about the big gaps in my career history and because they asked questions about health. As the result of that and because I suffer from other health conditions I got referred for a medical before I could be accepted on the course.

I was terrified before it because I thought my alcoholism would go against me. It didnt at all, it was hardly mentiItoned. The doctor asked me how long I had been sober and how i had done it. Then he congratulated me in dealing with my problem. He was much more interested in my depression and whether than would affect my ability to do the course.

Just one example but in that case alcoholism did not go against me at all. I was also glad I admitted it at the beginning so that I didnt have to worry about it coming out later on.

Ash does the college have a helpline you could call anonymously for advice to help you make a better informed decision. In the end, it's a decision you've got to accept the result of.

You've been sober a year. I don't see how on earth they can hold that against you. You are obviously trying to better yourself by getting more education. I say just be honest. Everybody has their problems and alcoholism is just one out of a blue million you could have. I wouldn't sweat it, be honest about it. I think just putting it out there would show them your openness and desire to move past it. Best of luck to you.

If I am not honest in the appropriate situations where honesty is required, I must question the motives behind it and always find it is fear driven.

I have had nothing but good come from being honest about my alcoholism in a confidential situation. It is easier said than done, I know.

I would not tell them.

Like bill says it may follow you, and not in a good way. Do you ever want to get life insurance or long term disability insurance? If insurance companies get a hold of this information you will become uninsurable.

Be very very careful about making your problem public knowledge.

That maynot be in your best interests. That letter will follow you into your future. Your personel battles should remain personal. However that doesnt mean a reccommendation letter might help some. Our group had occasion to write a letter to the courts to help keep a guy ot of prison. The response was overwhelming .The court accepted the letter saying with this many recommendations ,maybe this guy has changed. Alcoholic Anonymous was never mentioned and no one blew his anonimity.I don't know how that would work with a school . but with the stigma attached to alcoholics keeping that out of the letter may be better. I certainly wouldnt lie about it if asked sometimes a lie of ommission is appropiate. I wouldn't put that down on a job application. Thats why we call AA anonymous. Greg

Ash, By all mean get professional advice before disclosing anything like this, it could hurt you in many ways for along time possibly an financial aid officer.. I'm in the profession where I can see private information that was giving in the past by people that even though they may have thought it was the right thing to do hurt them in the long run for years to come.

Again professional advice let them help you.

A lie of omission is subjective. It is based on Ashley's motives, experience and most the things we are here to relearn.

A lie of omission for an alcoholic, is a huge mistake without superior knowledge and advice.

Alcoholics are well experienced in justifying things for their benefit.

Think of how many political careers are destroyed because they lied long ago. I am sure they thought they wouldn't get caught

Society has made a huge swing on alcohol

AA teaches us not to listen to the voices saying it's ok.

No Lying No drinking period

and a good morning to all!

Yes. It is an appeal on a decision already made. I agree wtih mindlight about the implications of withholding necessary truth.

So the conundrum is what is more important - the funding or your emotional wellbeing? The rest is just about money and insurances, it would seem.

Personally, and given the field I'm in, I'd say DON"T include a letter about your alcoholism. Do tell them you have matured, this is incredibly important and you'll treat it as such, whereas it wasnt as important before (better wording for sure but no need to spell out alcoholism).
That's just my opinion.

Thank you all so much so for the advice, going both ways....I dont think I need to put "alcoholic, or AA" but maybe explaining my past a little, and say "drinking a lot" and how I have grown...Im still a little unsure but I think I do need to be honest about how I was, and how I have changed....Maybe sayingthings such as immature, how I have grown spiritually....using the things we learn in AA but not coming out and saying AA or alcoholic....

UGH, now the writing it...I guess all I can do is pray to my HP for it to come out right, and if not, maybe now is not the time...

Again thank you all so much! I think I know what I need t do now :)

Wish me luck, or a prayer :)