Formerly Incarerated in College: Closeup of person in black graduation gown holding a black graduate cap with gold tassel and a rolled parchment scroll with red ribbon

How to get into college if you have a criminal record

To Syrita Steib, the University of New Orleans denied her first application for admission in what seemed like lightning speed. With equal speed, though, the university accepted her second application. The difference? The second time around, Steib didn’t disclose her criminal history.

reentry: A brick wall blocking white doorway in white room

Ex-inmate to Society: How Many More Ways Can We Apologize?

At the moment, the only experience that seems harder than serving seven years in prison is being free. Yes, you read that correctly. Make no mistake, “gratitude” doesn’t even begin to describe how it feels to be home, reunited with my family. I can finally eat, sleep and bathe when I want.

NY Summit Examines How to Help Formerly Incarcerated

Leyla Martinez didn’t expect to be accepted to Columbia University. She applied to demonstrate a lesson — not to limit himself — to her then-16-year-old son. She was 40, a single mother and formerly incarcerated, not the typical Columbia applicant.