Legal Question in Criminal Law in Pennsylvania

PLEASE HELP I'm 19 Years old and was caught shoplifting in pennsylvania a couple days ago. I am going to school to become a physician's assistant and don't want to lose my scholarship or have that ruin my chances of getting a job later. The total cost of the item was 16$, but i was arrested, photographed, and fingerprinted at the police station. I was given a choice to choose if i wanted to plead guilty or not guilty. When i got a speeding ticket before, even though i obviously was speeding i chose not guilty and the judge largely lowered my fine and took all of the points off of my license.

I have never been arrested for anything before. But, less than a year ago I got caught shoplifting for the first time, no police were involved but i had to pay a fine and go to a class.

I'm afraid if i plead not guilty and ask for forgiveness because it is the first time i was arrested for anything that the judge will ask if i have ever done it before and i'll have to bring up that time before and then he/she might not be so easy on me.

Is it smarter for me to plead guilty or not guilty? I have to send in my thing soon so if possible please help soon!

thank you so much!

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