- Joined
- Nov 30, 2015
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WARNING: LONG POST (but worth the read!)
Hi Everybody,
I am writing to you all as an accepted M.D. Student in the U.S., with hopes of encouraging those with good intentions but an iffy criminal background of not selling themselves short, and trying for what they want to do with their lives.
To explain:
When I decided I wanted to become a physician, I spoke at length with several of my college professors about what sort of attributes I would need to make it happen. When speaking about my personal history, my legal issues came up often, which they were none too optimistic about. Specifically, in my 25 years of life I have been convicted of DUI, driving under suspension, reckless driving, as well as many speeding tickets which are misdemeanors in my home state of South Carolina. All of these things happened at least 4 years ago, and I have gone through nothing short of a metamorphosis since that time in my life, but it happened nonetheless.
I was told to check out this forum, and to look around and what issues other students have had with legal troubles and the admissions process. What I read was terrifying: The general school of thought here seemed to be that one blemish on your record MIGHT be acceptable, and that anything more than that would make your application worth less than the paper it was printed on. I felt discouraged and defeated, and very seriously reconsidered attempting to become a doctor.
In my stubborn spirit, however, I pressed on. I made the rest of my application as good as I possibly could have: hundreds of hours of research, months of shadowing, several published abstracts, posters, presentations, and acknowledgements on published papers, straight A's in all Bio, Chem, Phys and Math courses, and I even acquired two bachelor's degrees - B.S. in Biology with a concentrations in Physics/Organic Chemistry and a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Sociology. I made my application all that I could.
I applied, late last year, to 6 schools. I was given two interviews - one for an MSTP program, one for an M.D. program. During the interviews I spoke with several people at length about my application - my strengths, my weaknesses, what made me unique. Out of both interviews, one person out of over a dozen even mentioned my criminal record. One.
As I've already stated, I was accepted into the M.D. program. Most likely it was just barely, but I was accepted all the same. It only takes one school to let you in for you to become a doctor. Sure, the school I will be attending is not a top tier school, but it is an accredited American medical school, and recent residency match lists suggest that you can become whatever sort of physician you would like after attending school here (given appropriate academic performance, of course).
My point is this: there are many people out there that will tell you that your chances are ruined if you screw up - just search "DUI" or "criminal background" on this forum, you'll see what I mean.
Don't listen to them. I didn't, and because I didn't I will be matriculating this fall.
Chase your dreams, regardless of your past. You may have to work a little harder for it than most, but if you have the right intentions, you'll make it too.
Hi Everybody,
I am writing to you all as an accepted M.D. Student in the U.S., with hopes of encouraging those with good intentions but an iffy criminal background of not selling themselves short, and trying for what they want to do with their lives.
To explain:
When I decided I wanted to become a physician, I spoke at length with several of my college professors about what sort of attributes I would need to make it happen. When speaking about my personal history, my legal issues came up often, which they were none too optimistic about. Specifically, in my 25 years of life I have been convicted of DUI, driving under suspension, reckless driving, as well as many speeding tickets which are misdemeanors in my home state of South Carolina. All of these things happened at least 4 years ago, and I have gone through nothing short of a metamorphosis since that time in my life, but it happened nonetheless.
I was told to check out this forum, and to look around and what issues other students have had with legal troubles and the admissions process. What I read was terrifying: The general school of thought here seemed to be that one blemish on your record MIGHT be acceptable, and that anything more than that would make your application worth less than the paper it was printed on. I felt discouraged and defeated, and very seriously reconsidered attempting to become a doctor.
In my stubborn spirit, however, I pressed on. I made the rest of my application as good as I possibly could have: hundreds of hours of research, months of shadowing, several published abstracts, posters, presentations, and acknowledgements on published papers, straight A's in all Bio, Chem, Phys and Math courses, and I even acquired two bachelor's degrees - B.S. in Biology with a concentrations in Physics/Organic Chemistry and a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Sociology. I made my application all that I could.
I applied, late last year, to 6 schools. I was given two interviews - one for an MSTP program, one for an M.D. program. During the interviews I spoke with several people at length about my application - my strengths, my weaknesses, what made me unique. Out of both interviews, one person out of over a dozen even mentioned my criminal record. One.
As I've already stated, I was accepted into the M.D. program. Most likely it was just barely, but I was accepted all the same. It only takes one school to let you in for you to become a doctor. Sure, the school I will be attending is not a top tier school, but it is an accredited American medical school, and recent residency match lists suggest that you can become whatever sort of physician you would like after attending school here (given appropriate academic performance, of course).
My point is this: there are many people out there that will tell you that your chances are ruined if you screw up - just search "DUI" or "criminal background" on this forum, you'll see what I mean.
Don't listen to them. I didn't, and because I didn't I will be matriculating this fall.
Chase your dreams, regardless of your past. You may have to work a little harder for it than most, but if you have the right intentions, you'll make it too.
Best of luck in your medical pursuits!
