U.S. News & World Report
In the wake of last year’s shootings at Northern Illinois University and Virginia Tech, more colleges and universities are scrutinizing the character of applicants in the name of liability. While admissions officers say “youthful indiscretions” like a schoolyard fight or traffic tickets aren’t likely to result in a denial of admission, a pattern of troubling behavior just might. So it’s not surprising that students sometimes agonize over deciding whether to disclose personal and academic problems. Although schools cannot legally deny a student admission on the basis of mental illness, some counselors discourage students from bringing it up. Others say full disclosure can help explain inconsistencies that might appear as red flags to colleges. May 1, www.usnews.com.
