AAMC Criminal Background Checks

[graduate2be]

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I don't know if any of you are aware of the fact that AMCAS has a trial criminal background process that about 40 medical schools are participating in (http://www.aamc.org/newsroom/reporter/july08/background.htm). My question is, has anyone heard of how the procedure will be done? More specifically, how many years are they going back in the background? In the fall of 1992 (I was 21 at the time), me and a buddy of mine got drunk and went out and stole two mountain bikes (worth $200 each) from Wal-Mart. We got caught less than 5 minutes later and we spent the weekend in jail. I was given six months of probation, community service, and had to pay $50 a month I think. I was charged with a Class C Misdemeanor (Texas) I think. Since that time, I have not gotten into any trouble with the law outside of the occasional speeding ticket. This incident was 17 years ago and in all these years, it has not impacted me getting healthcare jobs (I truthfully report it when I apply for jobs); however, I am worried that it may impact my odds for getting into medical school. Would this be an issue for an adcom? 😕

 

[Dirt]

I don't know if any of you are aware of the fact that AMCAS has a trial criminal background process that about 40 medical schools are participating in (http://www.aamc.org/newsroom/reporter/july08/background.htm). My question is, has anyone heard of how the procedure will be done? More specifically, how many years are they going back in the background? In the fall of 1992 (I was 21 at the time), me and a buddy of mine got drunk and went out and stole two mountain bikes (worth $200 each) from Wal-Mart. We got caught less than 5 minutes later and we spent the weekend in jail. I was given six months of probation, community service, and had to pay $50 a month I think. I was charged with a Class C Misdemeanor (Texas) I think. Since that time, I have not gotten into any trouble with the law outside of the occasional speeding ticket. This incident was 17 years ago and in all these years, it has not impacted me getting healthcare jobs (I truthfully report it when I apply for jobs); however, I am worried that it may impact my odds for getting into medical school. Would this be an issue for an adcom? 😕

Probably not, but would be a bigger deal if you lie about it.

 

[LizzyM]

Yes, this will come up on your background check. But it is, IMO, unlikely to be seen as a problem as long as you have been honest in disclosing it when asked on any application.

The schools, I think, are looking for red flags that would indicate that you would be dangerous with a medical license: sex crimes, violent crimes, abusing children or the elderly, drug dealing, and terrorism (because that last one makes it hard to get federal clearance to work at a VA). If you worked in a medical office and got convicted of Medicaid fraud -- that might be frowned upon, too.

Some of the pranks... not such a big deal.

 

[PainKiller69]

cha

 

[Bacchus]

Licensure might be an issue. I'd personally contact an attorney and ask because if you get into a school but can't get DEA clearance for prescriptions or can't get a license you're toast.

 

[PainKiller69]

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[Bacchus]

This is why I haven't even thought of doing anything like this. I hate to make an example of you, but this shows why it is not worth it.

 

[deepsnow]

What about a 2 year old marijuana possession charge?

This won't help, but I can guarantee that it doesn't preclude you from gaining admission. If you are completely honest and give them concrete reasons to believe that the charge isn't a sign of a bigger problem, they can look past it. Two years is still pretty recent, but the admissions committees won't just reflexively reject you.