Admin help: Criminal Backgrounds and IA

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There have been many questions regarding criminal records over the past couple of days. I just wanted to have one thread where someone can find meaningful answers. SDN is an amazing resource for a variety of applicants. I think it's about time that we have knowledgeable thread based on facts and not hearsay. P.S.- It is obvious that criminal records are a very seriously "mark" on an application, so you don't need to remind us.

To school Admins:
Most court cases are dismissed after completing community service and paying fines. The primary app says to exclude these instances (exclude "any misdemeanor convictions for which any probation has been completed and the case dismissed by the court), but where in the application should we reveal our record? Some secondary applications don't ask questions regarding arrests.

How is an application with an IA or criminal history specifically treated by the adcom? Are they put in a separate pile? trashed?

Can you give your views on IA and crimes? (i.e. your views on alcohol consumption by a minor, possession of drug paraphernalia, DUI...). Are there different categories of crimes or IA in your mind? (i.e. moral crimes, unforgivable crimes, excusable crimes...).

Does it matter when the IA or crime happend? (i.e. 10 years ago vs last year)

Do you know of applicants that have been accepted to medical school with records? If so, what where the nature of the offense?

To applicants with records that have received acceptances:
Can you also chime in about our experience with having an IA or criminal background? What you did and how your application was perceived?
--------------------------------
Any other questions?
 
If adcoms have anyway of finding out your IA - either by your transcript or Dean Certification, or whatever....then mention it.

Otherwise, do yourself a favor and keep your lips sealed.
 
We look at each person as a whole, and treat each situation differently.

Usually IA/criminal records are put in a separate stack for additional review - where usually cases of academic dishonesty, felony convictions, or disciplinary actions involving assault, sexual harrasment, racism, and theft are weeded out.
 
MedAdComMD said:
We look at each person as a whole, and treat each situation differently.

Usually IA/criminal records are put in a separate stack for additional review - where usually cases of academic dishonesty, felony convictions, or disciplinary actions involving assault, sexual harrasment, racism, and theft are weeded out.
Click to expand...

Great answer. There are no standards for these cases.
 
NickNaylor said:
A more useful thing would be to simply gather up the responses to these questions that have already been posted multiple times and post them here in one place.
Click to expand...

I will look for some answers. However, from what I have seen, most answers come from premeds with little knowledge of the application process. I wanted only Adcom members or Admins to answer these questions.
 
Adcom for undergrad
An MS2 who applied with a record
How is an application with an IA or criminal history specifically treated by the adcom? Are they put in a separate pile? trashed?
Not an adcom member right now, but at undergrad adcom, it was flagged and reviewed just like low grades or bombing the SAT. When I applied to medical school, it didn't keep me from interviews.
Can you give your views on IA and crimes? (i.e. your views on alcohol consumption by a minor, possession of drug paraphernalia, DUI...). Are there different categories of crimes or IA in your mind? (i.e. moral crimes, unforgivable crimes, excusable crimes...).
As long as the person had put it in the past and could show it, it didn't matter for undegrad. Personally, I was offered an interview at every school which required me to disclose my record. I disclosed the verdict, what had led up to it, and what I had learned/done to prevent future offenses (community service, getting sober in my case).
Does it matter when the IA or crime happend? (i.e. 10 years ago vs last year)
This was taken into account for undergrad admissions. Can't comment on this. My legal issues were a few years old when I applied/interviewed.
Do you know of applicants that have been accepted to medical school with records? If so, what where the nature of the offense?

To applicants with records that have received acceptances:
Can you also chime in about our experience with having an IA or criminal background? What you did and how your application was perceived?
Only a few schools interviewing me even brought it up--one was an addiction researcher, one a psychiatrist, one an administrator, and one a student. Only the administrator saw my experience as a negative on my application (but I was still accepted there). PM me if you want some help on applying with a criminal record/recovering addict... 🙂
 
I'm interested to know how a minor (age <13) misdemeanor conviction (3rd degree assault for fighting) would be treated? Any need to even disclose on app/2ndary? If so, if the applicant is older (age >25), would this have a negative effect on application?

Thanks...asking because this applies to someone I know...(me)
 
I would disclose a juvenile record just as a precaution, but some students in my medical school class didn't disclose it without any repercussions. If it happened a long time ago, and it's helped you become a better person, it might help (provided it's not something horrible horrible). PM me if you want help with that 🙂
 
JESSFALLING said:
I'm interested to know how a minor (age <13) misdemeanor conviction (3rd degree assault for fighting) would be treated? Any need to even disclose on app/2ndary? If so, if the applicant is older (age >25), would this have a negative effect on application?

Thanks...asking because this applies to someone I know...(me)
Click to expand...

Adcoms are going to ask, "Do we want someone who did that as a student here?" Cheating, stealing... going to be a deal breaker. Sexual assault, domestic violence, fights resulting in serious injuries, dealing drugs -- I've never seen applications like that but I can't imagine inviting people with such records into our academic community. Being at a party where a 20 year old was drinking, doing 55 in a 40 mph zone... more likely than not, won't be a deal breaker, wouldn't preclude us from including you in our communty.
 
LizzyM said:
Adcoms are going to ask, "Do we want someone who did that as a student here?" Cheating, stealing... going to be a deal breaker. Sexual assault, domestic violence, fights resulting in serious injuries, dealing drugs -- I've never seen applications like that but I can't imagine inviting people with such records into our academic community. Being at a party where a 20 year old was drinking, doing 55 in a 40 mph zone... more likely than not, won't be a deal breaker, wouldn't preclude us from including you in our communty.
Click to expand...

I guess I need to see if the charge is in fact still on my record, and if so, pursue expungement. The incident happened roughly 17 years ago....I'd hope that, along with the fact that I hold a professional license in another respected field might help mitigate some of the negative perceptions.
 
JESSFALLING said:
I guess I need to see if the charge is in fact still on my record, and if so, pursue expungement. The incident happened roughly 17 years ago....I'd hope that, along with the fact that I hold a professional license in another respected field might help mitigate some of the negative perceptions.
Click to expand...

If you are now over 25 and you were less than 13 when the incident occurred, no doubt you are going to be cut some slack...
 
LizzyM said:
If you are now over 25 and you were less than 13 when the incident occurred, no doubt you are going to be cut some slack...
Click to expand...
How would you view an applicant with an arrest but no conviction on record?
 
FattySlug said:
How would you view an applicant with an arrest but no conviction on record?
Click to expand...

That is pretty much the norm. The majority of people who have been arrested have had their court case dismissed after they fulfill community service and pay their fines.
 
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