URGENT: Last minute background check response - expected to respond within 2 days - What do I Do?

[Unownunown802]

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Hello all, Long time lurker here - was going to be an M1 by this August until I received an email from the school I'm matriculating into. Apparently their 2nd FBI background check revealed 2 counts of domestic battery 2 years apart back in the mid 2000s. They ask for a statement to explain or contend these charges within a couple days. My parents and I are both freaking out.

Some backstory: I'm sure there are many first generation immigrant asian kids that can relate to culture clashes that may happen in some households. Mine was one such household, and eventually my teenage angst got the better of me. Nights of crying/hyperventilation/punching the walls had my parents flustered on how to deal with me (they are used to non questioning obedience as they were taught in Taiwan and expected me to behave likewise), so in a state of frustration they called the police and to have me down for domestic battery, twice (the police were able to get this charge when they asked if I pushed my dad at all during arguments and he said 'yes'). Besides those times, they would call for nights when I would cry all night and not talk to them, or when I would not do my homework, etc. It was only when the cops got so frustrated with my parents that they asked them to stop calling them on every single whim (while encouraging to call if something severe were to happen) did my parents edge off this crutch on how to deal with me. Now, almost a decade later, I look back thanking my parents for instilling in me a sense of humility and discipline while at the same time creating my own sense of self/freedom through my college years. It's a bittersweet past of ours, but we have since forgiven each other for our mistakes and, specifically, my brash behavior....that is until this notice came up. Both my parents and I do not wish for these two 'charges' to harm my future profession, and we did not expect it to show up. I ask the SDN community for any advice on how to approach my/our statement within two days.

I am REALLY sorry for this to sound rushed. Once I calm down perhaps I can not type everything in one block. But for now, this is what I got, any advice would be greatly appreciated.

tl;dr Teenage angst and some admittedly haphazard decision making by my parents resulted, almost 10 years later, in a potential med school acceptance being rescinded if not justified within 2 days.

 

[goft20]

Just be honest. Good luck doc.

 

[gyngyn]

Respond. And explain why you didn't declare it.

 

[Monika12]

-

 

[accueil]

I would be very surprised if this compromised your matriculation to medical school. My approach would be to write a statement explaining the situation similarly to how you did here. Maybe consider your parents writing a separate one to send along with your explanation? Good luck!

 

[simbad8]

You did a good job of explaining it here, good luck!

 

[Victorys MG]

Hello everyone. I hope your semesters are going well. For those of you who will be in the New Brunswick NJ area this saturday i have an announcment.
AED-the premedical honor society
🙂 is holding their
2nd Annual Beneift show
Saturday Feb. 23rd
8pm
all proceeds go to the American SIDS Instititue for Sudden infant death syndrome reearch.
It at the Busch campus Center at Rutgers University
Questions; email [email protected]
Please come show your support!

Thanks

I was fourteen and I exploded out of teenage angst

 

[SignOftheTiger]

I echo everyone else here. Just explain it the way you did and if you feel it will help you, ask your parents to write a separate letter as others have said. I think everything will be fine.

 

[gyngyn]

I echo everyone else here. Just explain it the way you did and if you feel it will help you, ask your parents to write a separate letter as others have said. I think everything will be fine.

I wouldn't ask parents for a letter. It might look coercive.

 

[theseeker4]

Hello all, Long time lurker here - was going to be an M1 by this August until I received an email from the school I'm matriculating into. Apparently their 2nd FBI background check revealed 2 counts of domestic battery 2 years apart back in the mid 2000s. They ask for a statement to explain or contend these charges within a couple days. My parents and I are both freaking out.

Some backstory: I'm sure there are many first generation immigrant asian kids that can relate to culture clashes that may happen in some households. Mine was one such household, and eventually my teenage angst got the better of me. Nights of crying/hyperventilation/punching the walls had my parents flustered on how to deal with me (they are used to non questioning obedience as they were taught in Taiwan and expected me to behave likewise), so in a state of frustration they called the police and to have me down for domestic battery, twice (the police were able to get this charge when they asked if I pushed my dad at all during arguments and he said 'yes'). Besides those times, they would call for nights when I would cry all night and not talk to them, or when I would not do my homework, etc. It was only when the cops got so frustrated with my parents that they asked them to stop calling them on every single whim (while encouraging to call if something severe were to happen) did my parents edge off this crutch on how to deal with me. Now, almost a decade later, I look back thanking my parents for instilling in me a sense of humility and discipline while at the same time creating my own sense of self/freedom through my college years. It's a bittersweet past of ours, but we have since forgiven each other for our mistakes and, specifically, my brash behavior....that is until this notice came up. Both my parents and I do not wish for these two 'charges' to harm my future profession, and we did not expect it to show up. I ask the SDN community for any advice on how to approach my/our statement within two days.

I am REALLY sorry for this to sound rushed. Once I calm down perhaps I can not type everything in one block. But for now, this is what I got, any advice would be greatly appreciated.

tl;dr Teenage angst and some admittedly haphazard decision making by my parents resulted, almost 10 years later, in a potential med school acceptance being rescinded if not justified within 2 days.

Why didn't you answer honestly when you filled out your application? That, not the fact that this is on your record, is going to be the biggest obstacle/risk of your acceptance being rescinded.

 

[Fargofargo]

I agree with everyone else. You have been honest here and do the same for the explanation.

 

[Unownunown802]

I wouldn't ask parents for a letter. It might look coercive.

My parents were just as shocked though..

 

[gyngyn]

My parents were just as shocked though..

I understand. In this difficult situation you have to behave as an adult. Y0ur parents' "letter of support" is not what the school wants. They want to know why they are learning about this in a background check.

 

[Unownunown802]

Why didn't you answer honestly when you filled out your application? That, not the fact that this is on your record, is going to be the biggest obstacle/risk of your acceptance being rescinded.

For. the. last. time. We. were. not aware. that juvies. were going to show up. on the FBI. RECORD. We still think there's a mistake.

 

[gyngyn]

For. the. last. time. We. were. not aware. that juvies. were going to show up. on the FBI. RECORD. We still think there's a mistake.

Juvenile records show up in background checks done by affiliated government hospitals associated with the medical school. I understand that you didn't know this. Many people on these fora are also unaware of this. Nevertheless, it is true. Formulate a response, including the reason for not declaring it. Do not have your parents write a letter! This is a domestic violence issue and the victims do not have standing to defend you.

 

[theseeker4]

For. the. last. time. We. were. not aware. that juvies. were going to show up. on the FBI. RECORD. We still think there's a mistake.

For the first time you mean.....you did not clearly state this anywhere in this thread. Look closely at the wording of anything asking about a criminal record, and use that wording to explain why you thought this was not reportable.

 

[SignOftheTiger]

I'd go with what gyngyn said. he/she seems more knowledgeable than anyone else.

 

[chillaxbro]

Calling the cops on your child for something like that is ridiculous. Getting your medical school acceptance rescinded would probably devastate your Asian parents. Don't you kind of hope it happens so you can say "look what you did you ****ers, I hope you're happy"?

 

[Aerus]

Calling the cops on your child for something like that is ridiculous. Getting your medical school acceptance rescinded would probably devastate your Asian parents. Don't you kind of hope it happens so you can say "look what you did you *******, I hope you're happy"?

My parents would absolutely go insane (I'm talking insomnia for weeks) if they found out they did something like this.

 

[Unownunown802]

Calling the cops on your child for something like that is ridiculous. Getting your medical school acceptance rescinded would probably devastate your Asian parents. Don't you kind of hope it happens so you can say "look what you did you *******, I hope you're happy"?

They are already kind of in that state. I felt no need to verbally say this.

 

[aklark]

I don't see the problem. This is the question, per AMCAS.

You must answer this question in the application: Have you ever been convicted of, or
pleaded guilty or no contest to, a Misdemeanor crime, excluding 1) any offense for which
you were adjudicated as a juvenile, 2) any convictions which have been expunged or
sealed by a court, or 3) any misdemeanor convictions for which any probation has been
completed and the case dismissed by the court (in states where applicable)?

Page 34: https://www.aamc.org/students/download/182162/data/amcas_instruction_manual.pdf

You answered No, which was truthful. The felony question also excludes juvenile charges. Unless the secondary asked the same question and substituted "including" and you still answered No, you have told the truth up to this point. You just need to explain that you got out of hand a couple times as a teenager (which most of us did), the cops got called, and you got hauled to juvie to cool off. Since it seems you have not lied or even mistakenly misled, any attempt to rescind an acceptance based on those circumstances seems unlikely and should be fiercely contested.

 

[aklark]

Juvenile records show up in background checks done by affiliated government hospitals associated with the medical school. I understand that you didn't know this. Many people on these fora are also unaware of this. Nevertheless, it is true. Formulate a response, including the reason for not declaring it. Do not have your parents write a letter! This is a domestic violence issue and the victims do not have standing to defend you.

He didn't need to.

 

[V5RED]

Calling the cops on your child for something like that is ridiculous. Getting your medical school acceptance rescinded would probably devastate your Asian parents. Don't you kind of hope it happens so you can say "look what you did you *******, I hope you're happy"?

That is twisted. If OP hopes for something like that, he should probably see a psychologist.

 

[moisne]

You were a minor I assume - those charges should've been wiped after you reached 18. If these occurred after you were 18, I would be worried.

But don't use your culture clash - it's not an excuse. Gives people who are Asian first generation immigrants a bad impression. You had trouble - that's all there was to it.

 

[masaraksh]

Yess! I found a fitting picture.

It's very likely you will be fine. You just need to explain the circumstances.

 

[Time Table]

Have you tried calling them to see what exactly the problem is, after using what aklark said?

 

[LizzyM]

You weren't obligated to report these incidents on the AMCAS application so you shouldn't get in trouble for not having reported them. That said, once they came back on the background check, the school feels that it has to inquire or else questions will be raised if you ever do something in the future and someone asks "didn't the school know he had a record of XYZ?" Your story is fine. It would be a different situation if you had been beating your girlfriend or something like that.

 

[gyngyn]

He didn't need to.

He didn't need to in the primary. If the secondary asked, there was non-disclosure.
We don't know which school so we don't know if he had to or not.

 

[phunky]

Thread inspired me to run an FBI background check on myself

 

[mehc012]

He didn't need to in the primary. If the secondary asked, there was non-disclosure.
We don't know which school so we don't know if he had to or not.

What the heck is the point of sealed juvenile records if they're not sealed?
This country's criminal justice system is so incredibly effed up.

 

[gyngyn]

What the heck is the point of sealed juvenile records if they're not sealed?
This country's criminal justice system is so incredibly effed up.

I do not have an answer to your question.
I am reporting these facts so that applicants won't be caught off guard and to explain why schools may ask for more detailed information than can be found in the primary..

 

[DokterMom]

You were a minor I assume - those charges should've been wiped after you reached 18. If these occurred after you were 18, I would be worried.

But don't use your culture clash - it's not an excuse. Gives people who are Asian first generation immigrants a bad impression. You had trouble - that's all there was to it.

I respectfully disagree. The culture clash is the the primary reason this happened. Growing up in Taiwan, your parents expected absolute, immediate and unquestioning obedience. Growing up in the US, your expectations were very different. When you were a rebellious and impulsive teenager, your parents called the police to enforce the type of discipline they expected. As you matured, you learned more effective ways to manage conflict and negotiate resolutions, and have since developed a positive and mutually respectful relationship with your parents.

Own what you did OP. Punching walls is a violent offense, and would have been terrifying for your parents, given their expectations. But also be concrete about how you have grown and changed and learned to manage both your temper and your need for autonomy.

 

[mehc012]

I respectfully disagree. The culture clash is the the primary reason this happened. Growing up in Taiwan, your parents expected absolute, immediate and unquestioning obedience. Growing up in the US, your expectations were very different. When you were a rebellious and impulsive teenager, your parents called the police to enforce the type of discipline they expected. As you matured, you learned more effective ways to manage conflict and negotiate resolutions, and have since developed a positive and mutually respectful relationship with your parents.

Own what you did OP. Punching walls is a violent offense, and would have been terrifying for your parents, given their expectations. But also be concrete about how you have grown and changed and learned to manage both your temper and your need for autonomy.

If punching walls is a violent offense, domiciles are afforded more rights than many people I know.

I like your first paragraph and your last sentence, but from the description (rereading OP's post I see no mention even of him pushing, just that his father 'told the police he had') OP was not violent and it would be an error, imo, to 'acknowledge' violent tendencies which are not really there.

 

[moisne]

I respectfully disagree. The culture clash is the the primary reason this happened. Growing up in Taiwan, your parents expected absolute, immediate and unquestioning obedience. Growing up in the US, your expectations were very different. When you were a rebellious and impulsive teenager, your parents called the police to enforce the type of discipline they expected. As you matured, you learned more effective ways to manage conflict and negotiate resolutions, and have since developed a positive and mutually respectful relationship with your parents.

Own what you did OP. Punching walls is a violent offense, and would have been terrifying for your parents, given their expectations. But also be concrete about how you have grown and changed and learned to manage both your temper and your need for autonomy.

I would know. I got whipped (literally) for not getting good grades in elementary school, had to kneel on concrete when I disobeyed my parents, and my father actually fractured my spine... But I don't punch holes into walls.

 

[DokterMom]

Ouch! It's not a pretty world...

OP, I certainly would not admit to anything you didn't do, but I do believe that property damage constitutes a form of violence. While certainly not in the same league as violence against people, I share @mehc012 's disgust that property often seems to receive more protection than people. @moisne -- I am so sorry for what you went through. That is, quite simply, unconscionable.

 

[mehc012]

Ouch! It's not a pretty world...

OP, I certainly would not admit to anything you didn't do, but I do believe that property damage constitutes a form of violence. While certainly not in the same league as violence against people, I share @mehc012 's disgust that property often seems to receive more protection than people. @moisne -- I am so sorry for what you went through. That is, quite simply, unconscionable.

Ah, see there's the difference...you assumed damage. I did not. You and @moisne both seem to take 'punching the walls' as 'punching holes in walls', whereas I definitely do not. Depending on your home, it's actually quite difficult to punch a hole in a wall using your fist. Try it sometime. I've put a few holes in walls (my friends and I used to stage swordfights inside with sticks, and I was quite a rambunctious child aside from that as well!), and I've hit plenty of walls, either accidentally or through whatever random circumstances (e.g. usually not anger), but I've never punched a hole in a wall. That would be violent, sure...but it's also, in my mind, extreme/separate enough that I do not mix the two...OP said 'punched the wall', so I take that as...well, like punching your pillow, only louder and your knuckles twinge afterward. If OP had said 'punched a hole in the wall', I'd have a much, MUCH more violent image in my head.

 

[PsychPod]

they just want to make sure you aren't going to put a hole in their new dorm walls, or push the professor during an argument.

 

[DokterMom]

Ah, see there's the difference...you assumed damage. I did not. You and @moisne both seem to take 'punching the walls' as 'punching holes in walls', whereas I definitely do not. Depending on your home, it's actually quite difficult to punch a hole in a wall using your fist. Try it sometime. I've put a few holes in walls (my friends and I used to stage swordfights inside with sticks, and I was quite a rambunctious child aside from that as well!), and I've hit plenty of walls, either accidentally or through whatever random circumstances (e.g. usually not anger), but I've never punched a hole in a wall. That would be violent, sure...but it's also, in my mind, extreme/separate enough that I do not mix the two...OP said 'punched the wall', so I take that as...well, like punching your pillow, only louder and your knuckles twinge afterward. If OP had said 'punched a hole in the wall', I'd have a much, MUCH more violent image in my head.

I did take it that way, yes. @Unownunown802 Where I live, saying you 'punched a wall' is understood to mean that you left a hole in the wall. Saying you "banged your fist against the wall" would imply you hit the wall but did no damage. If you didn't actually puncture the wall, you should make that clear in your wording.

 

[Unownunown802]

Edit: dbl post

 

[Unownunown802]

I respectfully disagree. The culture clash is the the primary reason this happened. Growing up in Taiwan, your parents expected absolute, immediate and unquestioning obedience. Growing up in the US, your expectations were very different. When you were a rebellious and impulsive teenager, your parents called the police to enforce the type of discipline they expected. As you matured, you learned more effective ways to manage conflict and negotiate resolutions, and have since developed a positive and mutually respectful relationship with your parents.

Own what you did OP. Punching walls is a violent offense, and would have been terrifying for your parents, given their expectations. But also be concrete about how you have grown and changed and learned to manage both your temper and your need for autonomy.

I wish I would have read this before I sent my statement... this was my thought process in word manifestation. My statement was similar but didn't really emphasize the aftermath (how I matured) and mostly went over what happened. Oh well.

DokterMom is correct in this regard. There was a dent in the wall alongside the pushing. Sorry for the double post

 

[DokterMom]

I wish I would have read this before I sent my statement... this was my thought process in word manifestation. My statement was similar but didn't really emphasize the aftermath (how I matured) and mostly went over what happened. Oh well.

DokterMom is correct in this regard. There was a dent in the wall alongside the pushing. Sorry for the double post

You've already been accepted, and you were not required to disclose initially, so they can't [legitimately] say you wrongfully withheld information...

Are you screwed now? Don't know -- Just hope for the best --

 

[mehc012]

I did take it that way, yes. @Unownunown802 Where I live, saying you 'punched a wall' is understood to mean that you left a hole in the wall. Saying you "banged your fist against the wall" would imply you hit the wall but did no damage. If you didn't actually puncture the wall, you should make that clear in your wording.

Odd how the same words come across differently to different people!
Punching is the act of hitting; it is separate from the consequences. If I punched a guy in the face (I have - he gave me permission), it does not necessarily follow that I broke his nose (sadly, I did not). For the people who I've interacted with, 'punched a wall' simply means...punched a wall. No implications for specific damage.

Apparently, though, OP 'dented' the wall, so I guess it came down in the middle anyway!

 

[ThisCouldBeYou]

Hello all, Long time lurker here - was going to be an M1 by this August until I received an email from the school I'm matriculating into. Apparently their 2nd FBI background check revealed 2 counts of domestic battery 2 years apart back in the mid 2000s. They ask for a statement to explain or contend these charges within a couple days. My parents and I are both freaking out.

Some backstory: I'm sure there are many first generation immigrant asian kids that can relate to culture clashes that may happen in some households. Mine was one such household, and eventually my teenage angst got the better of me. Nights of crying/hyperventilation/punching the walls had my parents flustered on how to deal with me (they are used to non questioning obedience as they were taught in Taiwan and expected me to behave likewise), so in a state of frustration they called the police and to have me down for domestic battery, twice (the police were able to get this charge when they asked if I pushed my dad at all during arguments and he said 'yes'). Besides those times, they would call for nights when I would cry all night and not talk to them, or when I would not do my homework, etc. It was only when the cops got so frustrated with my parents that they asked them to stop calling them on every single whim (while encouraging to call if something severe were to happen) did my parents edge off this crutch on how to deal with me. Now, almost a decade later, I look back thanking my parents for instilling in me a sense of humility and discipline while at the same time creating my own sense of self/freedom through my college years. It's a bittersweet past of ours, but we have since forgiven each other for our mistakes and, specifically, my brash behavior....that is until this notice came up. Both my parents and I do not wish for these two 'charges' to harm my future profession, and we did not expect it to show up. I ask the SDN community for any advice on how to approach my/our statement within two days.

I am REALLY sorry for this to sound rushed. Once I calm down perhaps I can not type everything in one block. But for now, this is what I got, any advice would be greatly appreciated.

tl;dr Teenage angst and some admittedly haphazard decision making by my parents resulted, almost 10 years later, in a potential med school acceptance being rescinded if not justified within 2 days.

I think, if nothing else, the ten year time difference is quite beneficial. You were fourteen-sixteen years old and frustrated. However, as much as you see this as an Asian culture-clash, I see this behavior as how a lot of kids behave today. Many parents call the cops when their kids punch walls. I think it is important to NOT make excuses for what you did or that your parents panicked and called the police. It's also important you NOT make an excuse for failing to declare this information. You have too much on the line. You'll need to think long and hard as to why you didn't mention it earlier. State the facts, keep it concise, and if you really aren't sure, consult a lawyer.

BTW, I agree with LizzyM. You were a teenager and didn't know how to express your strong emotions. You punched walls and your parents didn't know how to respond.

 

[ThisCouldBeYou]

Thread inspired me to run an FBI background check on myself

How did you do that?

 

[phunky]

How did you do that?

It's kind of a pain in the ass. You need to send them copies of your fingerprints with a form. You can find instructions here:

http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/id...n-identity-history-summary-request-to-the-fbi

 

[ThisCouldBeYou]

Calling the cops on your child for something like that is ridiculous. Getting your medical school acceptance rescinded would probably devastate your Asian parents. Don't you kind of hope it happens so you can say "look what you did you *******, I hope you're happy"?

That's a terrible attitude. just saying

 

[Unownunown802]

I think, if nothing else, the ten year time difference is quite beneficial. You were fourteen-sixteen years old and frustrated. However, as much as you see this as an Asian culture-clash, I see this behavior as how a lot of kids behave today. Many parents call the cops when their kids punch walls. I think it is important to NOT make excuses for what you did or that your parents panicked and called the police. It's also important you NOT make an excuse for failing to declare this information. You have too much on the line. You'll need to think long and hard as to why you didn't mention it earlier. State the facts, keep it concise, and if you really aren't sure, consult a lawyer.

BTW, I agree with LizzyM. You were a teenager and didn't know how to express your strong emotions. You punched walls and your parents didn't know how to respond.

We didn't report it for 2 reasons. 1) It was a juvenile case, and I don't recall being asked about it in AMCAS or the second background check... I hope. and 2) We were totally unaware that I even had a record. That is the honest truth, I had no idea how criminal law worked at that age - my parents took care of it and they were repeatedly told that everything will be dropped. We are both shocked to find that it showed up. As gyngyn said, it may have been gone, but not entirely, which is extremely unfortunate as my parents are the type of people that take people for their word.

 

[ThisCouldBeYou]

We didn't report it for 2 reasons. 1) It was a juvenile case, and I don't recall being asked about it in AMCAS or the second background check... I hope. and 2) We were totally unaware that I even had a record. That is the honest truth, I had no idea how criminal law worked at that age - my parents took care of it and they were repeatedly told that everything will be dropped. We are both shocked to find that it showed up. As gyngyn said, it may have been gone, but not entirely, which is extremely unfortunate as my parents are the type of people that take people for their word.

This is quite understandable. You should double check to see if you really were asked and avoided it. Assuming you didn't miss this, explain all the facts as you know them: age, event, police called, charge X 2. Add your parents back then were told this would be dropped and therefore didn't report it. DO NOT add 1) the cultural mention 2) excuses and 3) something like this: Now, almost a decade later, I look back thanking my parents for instilling in me a sense of humility and discipline while at the same time creating my own sense of self/freedom through my college years. because it sounds as if you are encouraging/perpetuating this behavior.

 

[aklark]

Why would you not check on this before writing the letter? That's obviously crucial

We didn't report it for 2 reasons. 1) It was a juvenile case, and I don't recall being asked about it in AMCAS or the second background check... I hope. and 2) We were totally unaware that I even had a record. That is the honest truth, I had no idea how criminal law worked at that age - my parents took care of it and they were repeatedly told that everything will be dropped. We are both shocked to find that it showed up. As gyngyn said, it may have been gone, but not entirely, which is extremely unfortunate as my parents are the type of people that take people for their word.

ht

 

[Unownunown802]

This is quite understandable. You should double check to see if you really were asked and avoided it. Assuming you didn't miss this, explain all the facts as you know them: age, event, police called, charge X 2. Add your parents back then were told this would be dropped and therefore didn't report it. DO NOT add 1) the cultural mention 2) excuses and 3) something like this: Now, almost a decade later, I look back thanking my parents for instilling in me a sense of humility and discipline while at the same time creating my own sense of self/freedom through my college years. because it sounds as if you are encouraging/perpetuating this behavior.

Thank you. I did not include that in my statement. I only stated what happened, and the reason my parents told me they did it (They were not familiar on how to deal with this issue and decided that an encounter with authorities would deter me from my behavior). Again, this was after they were repeatedly reassured that there would be no residual charge, no nothing, on record.