qaz

Thank you all very much. I will talk to the other guy and student affair office tomorrow. I also requested an appointment with the professor. I would like to request to see my exam, and know how many students got wrong with each question. From statistical side of view, it is also possible that we all getting the hardest questions wrong. As I said, the other guy sat next to me is also an excellent student. I still don't believe he cheated because there's no need to jeopardize his future for a "stupid" exam. Even if he did, how on earth am I supposed to control anyone else's behavior? Hope everything will be fine.

Thank you Econhead. No it was a in-class exam. If I am right, I know who is the other student because I sat at the end of a row and he sat next to me. He is also a straight A student as I know of. I think it very weird and does not make any sense neither because it has been 3 months since the exam took place, and the professor said nothing till a few days ago.

I am recently involved in an academic integrity issue. I was accused of unauthorized collaboration during a final exam last semester (almost 3 months ago). My professor said this assessment is based upon unusual correlations between my exam answers and those of another student. I had no knowledge of this until the professor revealed it. I swear I did not collaborate! He also said that even if the other student copied my answer and I was not aware of this, I still violate the rule. He said he believed that I did not need to cheat because I am the No.1 student in the class, but he thought I was helping the other student. I am not able to prove I did not do it. My professor gave me two options. 1. Sign a form admitting I collaborated and retake an exam, and he will forward the agreement to Student Affair Office and I will have a record of violation. The new exam score will be used to determine whether my final grade for the course needs to be adjusted. I am confident I can get a great score and still keep my grade (A). 2. Refer to Student Affair Office. The sanction by Student Affair Services may be more severe than his proposed sanction, and possibly lead to a zero on the final exam, a reduced course grade, etc. The case seems to be strong against me since I am not able to prove my innocence. Which one should I choose? I did not want to sign the form since I did not do it, but if I accept it, I can keep my grade. On the other hand, it is very likely that I will get a violation record if the case were referred to Student Affair Office, i.e. I will get the record either way. Things are more complicated because I applied to graduate school this year and have already had several offers. At the time I did my application, I was not involved in this issue. Do I have an obligation to notify the programs of my current situation? This issue will not be resolved until April 15th --the deadline I need to decide whether or not to accept my offers. I personally prefer to let them know because I think this is the right thing to do, but I am also afraid that they will recall my offers. I am helpless right now. I will appreciate if anyone can give me some advice!