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- Pre-Medical

Well, we had our hearing today and we were found in violation of plagiarizing and unauthorized collaboration with each other. The decision was to fail us both in the class. We are curently shocked as to how an unattentional act would land us such a harsh punishment. We both intend to apply this yr for the 2008 cycle. My questions are:
1) We will be appealing this and submitting the AMCAS before this is over. Would you guys leave the box on AMCAS for academic misconduct empty?
2) When secondaries come back, and it is still pending, would you guys still say that "no, I havent been found in violation?"
3) Adcoms have no way of finding that we violated student conduct because it wont show up in our academic record (transcript, files, or anything). It can only be found in the judiciary branch of our school which is confidental. Would you guys keep your mouth shut on what happened because such a small misunderstanding and unintentional act may deplete chances of getting into medical school?
4) Lastly, If you would keep your mouth shut, how would you explain a failing grade to med schools? We sent our transcripts in already so it wont show this quarter's grades. But do medical schools ask to look at transcripts again before, during, or after interview or acceptance?
I know answering all these questions has to do with your personal belief, moral and ethical. But please provide information to help me and my friend decide. We are taking this pretty hard and my friend is pretty much depressed and doesnt know how to move on. We have a final yet to take, but how can we go on without even knowing if the appeals process will work in or favor or not? Anyways, any factual info regarding the questions above would really help. Thanks.
I cross posted because this is an urgent matter. I want both sides of the story. from preallos and preDOs. ignore it if you see it twice.
The appeals process will be a written statement to the vice president of acamedic affairs. I think that stating that we didnt intend on plagairizing will help us. Also stating the failing a class for an unintentional act is crazy might help us.
Our evolution class was given an assignment that consisted of six questions about a scientific article that was given to us. So my friend and i worked on an assignment together. We wrote in some cases, word for word straight from the article. We didnt think we needed to cite because a) the TAs and professor knew where we were getting the answer from and b) they were actual facts that we had written down.
You may think it's crap and so may the provost to whom I am writing to. But the situation is different than many other cases. TAs, although they cant state this in a written statement, have told me that other students have plagairized as well if we are in fact guilty of it, but havent been turned in because the TAs dont believe it is considered plagairism because they knew the source it was coming from and what I had in my paper was all facts. They werent my ideas nor was I claiming that the article's ideas were my own. I answered the question by simply answering question, some questions being nearly word for word. Many students did this as well, making this assignmnent quite ambiguous. Maybe the provost will find it that we were only turned in for working together and that being slapped with plagairism shouldnt have happened since the assignment was ambiguous.
Just what I hope, so either way, whether the provost thinks additional reasoning for why failing us is absurb or not, it is worth a try. Maybe he/she will be in a good mood. My friend has talked to her advisor and he has said that the provost is leaving the university this year and that who knows, maybe he/she will be more lenient in regards to this case because it is so unique.
I think that if the panel heard us out, they wouldve found something odd with the professor turning in only 2 students. We have printed evidence that other students were only marked off points for copying word for word. Additionally, TAs are going back to grade and take off more points for those who "plagairized"
Look on the bright side, if you were at the University of Virginia you would have been expelled permenantly with no possibility of attending the institution again in any capacity. I worked as a counsel (defending and prosecuting students) and saw this type of thing all the time.
I didnt hear such a talk at orientation, but I know what constitutes it. This case might be plagairism, but it definitely seen differently by us/TAs and by professor/committee. Thats why its ambigious but we'll see when we appeal.Were you not aware what constitutes plagiarism? Don't most schools give students the 'what is plagiarism' talk during orientation? I know I had it.
So this is what I am thinking, and remember that my thoughts may change as well. Just weighing my options.
When I submit AMCAS, I wont check the box. When the appeal is over and I am still in violation, I will say "yes" on the secondary and state that I was confident that this would be overturned because I very much am. If decision is overruled, than I can say "no" on secondaries.
I think its easier to say no to med schools and then say yes and explain why the status changed than to say yes and then say no. saying yes than no will already limit chances of getting into med school is the reason
What are your opinions. what would you do? Thanks
I think it is a case that if other people have done the same as us and TAs dont believe it is plagairism, than maybe there is ambiguity in the assignment. Like I said, I might as well try.
So this is what I am thinking, and remember that my thoughts may change as well. Just weighing my options.
When I submit AMCAS, I wont check the box. When the appeal is over and I am still in violation, I will say "yes" on the secondary and state that I was confident that this would be overturned because I very much am. If decision is overruled, than I can say "no" on secondaries.
I think its easier to say no to med schools and then say yes and explain why the status changed than to say yes and then say no. saying yes than no will already limit chances of getting into med school is the reason
What are your opinions. what would you do? Thanks
I didnt hear such a talk at orientation, but I know what constitutes it. This case might be plagairism, but it definitely seen differently by us/TAs and by professor/committee. Thats why its ambigious but we'll see when we appeal.
I am a student member of our student run judicial branch at my med school. We handle all cases of cheating, professional misconduct and behavior or anything essentially dealing with any possible penalties a student will face during their tenure at school. Cases just like yours. This is a great system because the admin can't do their own thing to you until you have been through our committee of peers.
My goodness, your thoughts of what you want to do are already in violation of my school, and if you were brought before us you would likely be found GUILTY! And you haven't even applied yet. A guilty verdict by our committee carries heavy consequences. The Dean generally follows our recommendations, whether guilty or not guilty. We recommend sanctions as well, and yours would be good reason for expulsion if found out.
I would imagine most other schools are similar.
By all means, if you plan to apply this or any cycle with this unresolved you must report it. Our "Dean of Medical Education" has told us that at conferences he attends with other admin staffers of other med schools that there is a general belief that 10% of medical students cheat. He supports this belief by studies he cited to us during a committee meeting. Either way, you will be setting yourself up for failure if you do report it, and if you don't report it. I can assure you most schools will not want to deal with someone who has baggage like yours. They have enough trouble dealing with students who made it through the cracks who had clean records before starting med school, let alone applicants with a BIG RED FLAG on their application.
Until this is fully resolved I suggest you wait to apply. If it is overturned on appeal then you are clean, and there is no need to report it. If it is not overturned, and you proceed with applying then you will have serious explaining to do.
Also, I would find out what your institution is required to report. When the Dean writes the Deans letter for our 4th year students applying to residencies a conviction by our committee is required to be reported in the Deans letter because it is a matter of record. The Dean has the option to make their own remarks in the Deans letter supporting the conviction or opposing the conviction it but they cant hide the fact you were convicted. Good luck getting a bad residency after that, if you arent expelled! No matter how much students want to fight the power you cant beat the power of the pen. Tread lightly in what you do.
So this is what I am thinking, and remember that my thoughts may change as well. Just weighing my options.
When I submit AMCAS, I wont check the box. When the appeal is over and I am still in violation, I will say "yes" on the secondary and state that I was confident that this would be overturned because I very much am. If decision is overruled, than I can say "no" on secondaries.
I think its easier to say no to med schools and then say yes and explain why the status changed than to say yes and then say no. saying yes than no will already limit chances of getting into med school is the reason
What are your opinions. what would you do? Thanks
Charles Manson is appealing his case in California for the Sharon Tate murders. Can he select "no" to AMCAS questions about if he's been convicted of a felony?When I submit AMCAS, I wont check the box. When the appeal is over and I am still in violation, I will say "yes" on the secondary and state that I was confident that this would be overturned because I very much am. If decision is overruled, than I can say "no" on secondaries.
I have a hunch you're not Mr. Popularity in your class right now. What was their reaction to your turning in their work to get marked down to better your case?We have printed evidence that other students were only marked off points for copying word for word. Additionally, TAs are going back to grade and take off more points for those who "plagairized"
My apologies if I am coming across a bit harsh here. I'm a lot older than many people on these threads and probably have a more similar mindset to folks on your appeals committee and at the medical schools than most. What constitutes being honest seems to have a lot of fluidity for folks in their late-teens/early-20's. It probably won't be shared by professors or Adcoms. If I'm harsh, it's only for emphasis.Some of you guys are coming off a little harsh.
Waiting for your appeal decision is the smart thing. If in five weeks your appeal is successful, apply in mid-July if you're satisfied with your app. If you don't think it's a strong app, wait and apply the following year. I don't think that mid-July is as late as a lot of folks seem to think.Many people have said to wait a year to apply. The more I think about it and read these posts, the more I am leaning towards waiting another year. ... But, since I know this appeal process will take 10 days to submit an appeal, and other 3-4 weeks for a decision, then maybe I should wait another 4-5 weeks instead of waiting a year. Would put me at a disadvantage though, because I'd apply mid-July?
I definitely agree with most of what you guys are saying. Never did I say that I was going to not check the box or never tell med schools about this. Some of you guys are coming off a little harsh. This happened today to my friend and I, so we are just seeing what other people would do or "what the right thing to do is." Thats why I turned to you guys.
Many people have said to wait a year to apply. The more I think about it and read these posts, the more I am leaning towards waiting another year. Also, my mcat is below 30, but GPA is great and applying early would make me a more decent candidate. But, since I know this appeal process will take 10 days to submit an appeal, and other 3-4 weeks for a decision, then maybe I should wait another 4-5 weeks instead of waiting a year. Would put me at a disadvantage though, because I'd apply mid-July? My stats aren't stellar so I am guessing it would. hmmmmm..what do you all think?
You may think it's crap and so may the provost to whom I am writing to. But the situation is different than many other cases. TAs, although they cant state this in a written statement, have told me that other students have plagairized as well if we are in fact guilty of it, but havent been turned in because the TAs dont believe it is considered plagairism because they knew the source it was coming from and what I had in my paper was all facts. They werent my ideas nor was I claiming that the article's ideas were my own. I answered the question by simply answering question, some questions being nearly word for word. Many students did this as well, making this assignmnent quite ambiguous. Maybe the provost will find it that we were only turned in for working together and that being slapped with plagairism shouldnt have happened since the assignment was ambiguous.
Just what I hope, so either way, whether the provost thinks additional reasoning for why failing us is absurb or not, it is worth a try. Maybe he/she will be in a good mood. My friend has talked to her advisor and he has said that the provost is leaving the university this year and that who knows, maybe he/she will be more lenient in regards to this case because it is so unique.
I think that if the panel heard us out, they wouldve found something odd with the professor turning in only 2 students. We have printed evidence that other students were only marked off points for copying word for word. Additionally, TAs are going back to grade and take off more points for those who "plagairized"
Working with others is something that everyone does whether you like to admit it or not.
dasaniwater said:It wasn't stated on the syllabus or assignment nor said by professor or TAs that working together is "unauthorized"
dasaniwater said:People edit one another's work, advise whether to add or omit things.
dasaniwater said:In this case out of 6 questions, 1 of them was almost identical. Should a 5 line answer that is very similar to a friends prevent someone from getting looks from med schools or failing a class. I think thats nuts.
If I knew I was plagairizing, i would have taken another 10 seconds to cite and another 30 seconds to rephrase each answer. I didnt think it was plagairism and I still don't
but on a bad day some of them will blow your legs off.
Spoken like a warrior! 👍
Or, more likely, you'd be found guilty of violating the community of trust, but get off on the triviality clause.
Look on the bright side, if you were at the University of Virginia you would have been expelled permenantly with no possibility of attending the institution again in any capacity. I worked as a counsel (defending and prosecuting students) and saw this type of thing all the time.