I went to jail I want to go to uni, can I?

I went to jail for quite a serious crime, I was charged and did my time. I have one of those offence that can never be spent. I was sentenced to more than 30 months so I know that I have to declare my crime. I have done my time and not a day goes by that I don't think about it. But i want to know if there is any point applying to university?

I am on the sexoffenders register, no I did NOT commit a rape, it all happened so long ago. I am predicted very good Alevel results and I would like to move on with my life. I just want to know if 1) I can go to uni 2) Would I be aloud to stay in halls of residence? 3) How different would my student life be to yours?

Please reply to this with some consideration to the fact that I have done my time, I won't ever forget what happened. I just want to know if I can make something of myself.

Reply 1

morecambebay

16

If it happenned that long ago, would it not be wiped away when you hit adulthood?

Reply 2

Poppyxx

11

There's a part on the UCAS form where you have to declare if you have a criminal record

I just googled 'university with criminal record' and it came up with lots of links to universities' own policies on applicants.

Leeds for example says they do not want to 'debar individuals with criminal records from taking advantage of the opportunities provided by Higher Education'

I think you'll have to check each university you're considering, and see their policy on it. I assume most will have it on their website somewhere, but you could always email the application office with the full details of your circumstances

good luck

x

Reply 3

tbm

13

Everywhere is different so just apply and see how you get on, obviously you have to declare it though.

Reply 4

Ewan

15

I'll ask what everyone wants to know, what did you go to prison for?

Reply 5

Salter8

OP

Attempted rape. I know it doesn't sound good. I was never going to do anything and I was 16. I know a lot of people are going to judge and that's fine everyone has an opinion. I just don't thnk that I will be entitled to the same student lives as you all are. If I was a parent I wouldn't want my child living in halls with someone with my record. Will this stop me having a normal uni life?

Reply 6

Poppyxx

11

There's plenty of reasons why people don't live in halls

Perhaps you live too close / you're older than others and don't want to be surrounded by 18 year old freshers / you missed the deadline to apply for halls

Most people only live in halls in the first year. Plus some halls are uni owned, others are private so the uni has no control over who lives there (you normally just have to be a student of the uni).

If you don't tell people why you don't live in halls, no-one will know or care.

I have friends who missed the deadline or got a place through clearing and so hadn't applied for accommodation. They don't live in the uni halls, but they live with other students and have the same experience.

Don't worry about halls being the be all for a uni experience- just joining societies and going to lectures means you meet loads of people

x

Reply 7

infernalcradle

15

Original post by Salter8

Attempted rape. I know it doesn't sound good. I was never going to do anything and I was 16. I know a lot of people are going to judge and that's fine everyone has an opinion. I just don't thnk that I will be entitled to the same student lives as you all are. If I was a parent I wouldn't want my child living in halls with someone with my record. Will this stop me having a normal uni life?

hmm...unless you are applying for something like medicine/teaching etc. I don't really see any major problems...

although I would physically talk to someone at the uni and see what they say....as you may be required to write in about it etc. before you are allowed to apply/they may interview etc.

Reply 8

morecambebay

16

Open university?

Oohhh... I know what you should do.

You need to find a charity that goes around schools lecturing teenagers about things and ask them if you could volunteer to give some talks about your mistakes and what you have learnt from them. Then, when you are in interviews, you will be talking about something you have done right instead of something you did wrong. Shift the focus.

(edited 13 years ago)

Reply 9

js374

12

I suspect it will not be a bar to going to uni. I can remember the s*** hitting the fan in Bath when the Daily Mail discovered we had taken on a student who had been kicked out of Oxbridge when the police raided him and large quantities of child porn was found on his computer.

I assume the uni knew this so Bath have taken people with even dodgier stuff on their record than yours!

Reply 10

Cinqueta

10

Original post by js374

I suspect it will not be a bar to going to uni. I can remember the s*** hitting the fan in Bath when the Daily Mail discovered we had taken on a student who had been kicked out of Oxbridge when the police raided him and large quantities of child porn was found on his computer.

I assume the uni knew this so Bath have taken people with even dodgier stuff on their record than yours!

Did that guy go to prison?

Reply 11

solusoracle

Sorry, posted in the wrong thread.

(edited 13 years ago)

Reply 12

Salter8

OP

troll? think what you like? Why would i post this? Attempted rape is not rape. I have done my time, I will never forget what happened to all around me either. I just want to know how different my uni experience will be. As for being executed... You don't have a clue what happened.

Reply 13

Elwyn

17

Everyone deserves a right to an education. As to whether you deserve a place at university just as much as someone with no criminal record is another matter. Have you considered what this offence would have on your job prospects after uni?

Reply 14

Salter8

OP

Original post by Elwyn

Everyone deserves a right to an education. As to whether you deserve a place at university just as much as someone with no criminal record is another matter. Have you considered what this offence would have on your job prospects after uni?

Yes, I know that this will follow me wherever I go. I am just thinking that perhaps doing an apprentiship where I can get qualified and earn good money would perhaps be a better option than going to uni. I know that i am kidding myseld in thinking that I can attend without any conditions.I just don't want to waste my time applying and getting my hope up...

Reply 15

js374

12

Original post by Cinqueta

Did that guy go to prison?

A bit of googling later and: No

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1168093/Cambridge-University-paedophile-avoids-jail-judge-rules-prison-ruin-studies.html

Edit to add: OP did you just forget to shout surprise?

(edited 13 years ago)

Reply 16

Cinamon

15

Original post by Atheist

I don't believe you. This is an obvious troll. If you were indeed convicted of attempted rape I personally think you should be executed.

Surely you are a troll?

Reply 17

TheSownRose

16

Original post by js374

Edit to add: OP did you just forget to shout surprise?

There's nothing funnier than attempted rape.

Reply 18

mehhh.....hi.

15

Yes I would think you can, obviously depends on what you are planning on doing, but if you want to go to university, then go ahead and do it, don't let mistakes in the past stop you from at least trying :smile: