Poynter High - Reporting, Writing & Editing

Last year, [the Common Application] began asking students -- and their counselors -- about any suspensions, dismissals or probationary terms because of academic or behavioral misconduct and whether students had been "convicted of a misdemeanor, felony or other crime." The applicants are encouraged to explain the incidents. College admissions counselors realize that "not every 17-year-old is a perfect human being," said Seth Allen, president-elect of the Common Application, the nonprofit organization that administers the form. But a campus should know about infractions -- even juvenile records that may have been expunged -- so it can decide whether students should "be part of our community," he said.

In the past, less than about half of Common Application members asked similar questions on separate applications, estimated Allen, who is also dean of admission and financial aid at Grinnell College in Iowa. Schools wanted the questions added to the shared application because, in general, institutions "are being held to a greater standard of accountability," he said.

A tiny amount of applicants confessed. Of the 266,087 students who used the Common Application last year, only 2.32% said they received school discipline, and only about 0.25% reported a conviction.