My question involves criminal records for the state of: Pennsylvania

Hello,

I am a student at a private university in the Lehigh Valley and Campus Police wrote me up for two summary offenses (Disorderly conduct and Harassment) and sent it to the Magistrate court.

I have read up that summary offenses are considered criminal offenses in the State of Pennsylvania but do not appear in statewide/nationwide criminal databases and only appear in the records of the "arresting institution". If the arresting institution is the college then there is no police department that has the records?

I have to respond to the summons right now and I am not sure if I should plead guilty or not-guilty. What I am worried about is something that will go on my record that will hurt with future employment. I am in the top 1% of my graduating class and have good opportunities for enrolling in top schools. If I plead guilty to this will something go on my record that potential employers or law schools can find out about and deter them from hiring me. Also, if I plead not guilty and hire a lawyer what are the chances of having nothing going on my record in exchange for doing community service or just paying the fine (I have a clean record and have been an upstanding citizen my whole life, I just screwed up and made a mistake this time).

Also if I do plead guilty and pay or plead not guilty and get convicted will I be able to teach in high schools in the state of Pennsylvania? How about outside of PA, will firms or other employers pull up PA state databases if there will be nothing in the nationwide criminal record, etc.

Thank you for your time. I am worried because I want to know if any careers are closed for me. I understand that some places will still hire me and some schools will accept me but I really want to go to the most prestigious schools in the country and I have been working for this my whole life.