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[simba7221]

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[voxveritatisetlucis]

Might as well. Nobody is going to take an acceptance for a traffic misdemeanor unless it’s a dui

 

[wysdoc]

Basically got accepted yesterday. I need to do a background check in a few months. TMDSAS said to list misdemeanors/felonies, but to not include traffic related stuff. On secondaries for all schools, I thought it was the same logic and that including traffic stuff was unnecessary, even though they said to list "all". In TX, a traffic violation counts as a misdemeanor, so I think it would show up on my criminal background.

What should i do? I honestly had no idea a traffic thing was a misdemeanor, especially since TMDSAS said to exclude them. Should I email the school, or wait for the criminal background check?

I think you should contact the school and tell them something like:
-you want to be complete in your information
-you followed the TMDSAS instructions to the letter, and left off traffic infractions when answering questions,
-you do have (x number) of traffic tickets for (x reason) that will probably show up on a more extensive background check
-it was never your intention to hide information

As long as it wasn't DUI, hit and run, etc. and was a minor ticket you should be fine

 

[simba7221]

I think you should contact the school and tell them something like:
-you want to be complete in your information
-you followed the TMDSAS instructions to the letter, and left off traffic infractions when answering questions,
-you do have (x number) of traffic tickets for (x reason) that will probably show up on a more extensive background check
-it was never your intention to hide information

As long as it wasn't DUI, hit and run, etc. and was a minor ticket you should be fine

What if it isn't on my record? Is it a smart idea to still disclose it?

 

[wysdoc]

What if it isn't on my record? Is it a smart idea to still disclose it?

Yes : it is far better to say it now, because it is minor and they won't care, than to be accused of concealing something later when the in-depth background check brings it out.

 

[LeaveNoTrace]

Yeah, tell them about the traffic tickets. Unless you were a reckless fool behind the wheel, they're not going to rescind an acceptance for that. Couple speeding tickets is no big deal.

 

[mistafab]

Just disclose it. No one cares about traffic violations. You just followed the application instructions.

 

[Tenk]

Umm no? Most minor things (civil) like minor speeding don’t show up on background checks. If you had a criminal offense (DUI/reckless driving) it will show up but you should have reported that to begin with. You didn’t list the infraction though but if it’s just minor speeding, don’t worry about it.

 

[Tenk]

Hey, im in the same boat as the original poster lol. My infraction I just found out too is a misdemeanor C in TX. Not a speeding ticket, I just didn't come to a complete halt at a stop sign. Is it worth disclosing or am I just panicking?

Only if it was a conviction.

 

[Deltasidearm]

Umm no? Most minor things (civil) like minor speeding don’t show up on background checks. If you had a criminal offense (DUI/reckless driving) it will show up but you should have reported that to begin with. You didn’t list the infraction though but if it’s just minor speeding, don’t worry about it.

I'm going to disagree here and suggest the advice given by @wysdoc. I am currently enrolled in a TX MD school and know pretty well that my Adcom wouldn't care at all about an applicant divulging a minor traffic violation (mistakes happen). However, they may actually care if they asked for it and had to find out about it on their own. I could see my Adcom thinking it's no big deal, but the perception of a deceitful applicant is a big deal to them. I think in this case prophylactic honesty goes a long way in demonstrating good character.

 

[Tenk]

I'm going to disagree here and suggest the advice given by @wysdoc. I am currently enrolled in a TX MD school and know pretty well that my Adcom wouldn't care at all about an applicant divulging a minor traffic violation (mistakes happen). However, they may actually care if they asked for it and had to find out about it on their own. I could see my Adcom thinking it's no big deal, but the perception of a deceitful applicant is a big deal to them. I think in this case prophylactic honesty goes a long way in demonstrating good character.

Except these don’t show up on background checks and require special dedicated checks to even discover. Do whatever you want but at least have some sort of evidence to back it up other than a hypothetical situation that would probably never actually occur.

 

[LeaveNoTrace]

You've been accepted. Maybe the speeding ticket might've been a tiebreaker if it had showed up earlier. But getting kicked out of medical school over a traffic ticket seems extremely unusual. Most likely, the med school will just shrug and thank you for your honesty.

 

[TransformerInWestVirginia]

Are we sure it will show up in the background check.
It is wise to consider all your options before coming to the decision of voluntarily disclosing.

99% will not matter. but no need to offer information if not necessary.

at least thats my view

 

[Deltasidearm]

Except these don’t show up on background checks and require special dedicated checks to even discover. Do whatever you want but at least have some sort of evidence to back it up other than a hypothetical situation that would probably never actually occur.

I am no lawyer so I do not pretend to know the nuances of the state government of Texas, but I do know all traffic violations in Texas are at least Class C misdemeanors--not an infraction like in many other states--and could show up on a criminal record. I also know that businesses requesting a background check in TX may ask for information regarding offenses even if they did not result in a conviction. I have also had family in FL, where traffic violations are also classified as criminal offenses, run standard criminal background checks and they did show up. I suspect whether these offenses show up on the background check depend on how the ticket was handled in court and the exact information requested by the school in their background check.

That said, I do not actually review any of the background checks my university runs on students so I have no idea if they will be uncovered. Either way, the parties involved should be informed about whatever decision they make and that means considering the laws in the actual state they live in.

 

[Tenk]

I am no lawyer so I do not pretend to know the nuances of the state government of Texas, but I do know all traffic violations in Texas are at least Class C misdemeanors--not an infraction like in many other states--and could show up on a criminal record. I also know that businesses requesting a background check in TX may ask for information regarding offenses even if they did not result in a conviction. I have also had family in FL, where traffic violations are also classified as criminal offenses, run standard criminal background checks and they did show up. I suspect whether these offenses show up on the background check depend on how the ticket was handled in court and the exact information requested by the school in their background check.

That said, I do not actually review any of the background checks my university runs on students so I have no idea if they will be uncovered. Either way, the parties involved should be informed about whatever decision they make and that means considering the laws in the actual state they live in.

I literally said if they were convicted it would. Sounds like class C misdemeanors are convictions in TX. It’s why I’m using blanket statements because every state is different and I don’t live in Texas.

Civil = don’t care.
Criminal = care.

 

[LeaveNoTrace]

In your shoes, I’d disclose it; a student is very unlikely to be booted for running a stop sign. If you’re super damn worried about a freaking traffic ticket, consult a lawyer.