Academic Dishonesty Advice

[meepmeep32]

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Hello. I am a third year (junior) at an undergraduate institution looking for advice on this situation and would appreciate any reality checks as well. Recently I made the unfortunate decision of plagiarizing an answer for one question on a homework assignment in my chemistry class from a previous year's homework. I rightfully received a 0 on the assignment (4 points) and a warning for my university. It would not be on my transcript or accessible to graduate schools/employers (stated on their website), and I do not have a conduct record, but it would be maintained in internal records to keep me accountable. This is my first offense, and I am deeply ashamed and regretful of a choice I made under pressure to submit an assignment before the deadline and the internal pressure I put on myself to maintain my course grade to resort to an unethical action.

There is absolutely no excuse for this, and I immediately sought counseling after receiving the notification because it made me recognize the extent to which my mental health had reverted - to the point where I lacked academic integrity (again, not an excuse). Many people balance school and work without consequence, so I realize this is a pitfall of my own making. To myself, this was truly out of character, but I understand I sacrificed my morality by engaging in this violation which is what hurts the most.

After talking to three counselors, they encouraged me to start thinking forward about ways to redirect my shame and guilt into actionable items, assisted me in establishing coping/learning strategies and support systems, and helped me reflect on what I learned from this experience. I am grateful the school reported me, because I recognize the injustice I was doing to my peers and myself, and it served as a much needed wake up call that I was not managing my current academic/mental situation well (to put it lightly).

I received a lot of assistance from my student caseworker which I immensely appreciated in helping me navigate a process that felt like the end of the world. I truly am incredibly grateful to them. Starting senior year, I am planning on applying for that position to ensure other students can get clarity on this process as well and help them understand the consequences behind their actions from a peer perspective, like my caseworker did.

I am hoping to apply to medical school in the 2027-2028 cycle (summer after senior year). I realize this warning has hurt my chances immensely from many schools, but I aim to apply broadly, continue my ECs which are very service oriented, and hopefully re-demonstrate academic integrity in my many upper level science classes coming up. I am also looking into TAing for an introductory biology class that I used to enjoy TAing for sophomore year.

Mainly, I wanted to get an honest look into my chances of getting into any DO/MD school, and wanted to see if there is any way I can continue to be more proactive and re-establish trust in my academic community?

**Sorry if this is long-winded and seemingly dramatic. I have been plagued by the shame and guilt and wanted to accurately express my commitment to my academic integrity again. Thanks in advance. Sincerely appreciate any opinions 🙏

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Can you tell me what your exact citation was in your institutional action and how the university dealt with it? For how long will this IA documentation be kept by your student conduct office?

Big problem: you made a decision. Sugar-coating it by calling it "unfortunate" when it was your choice already turned me off to the rest of your excuses that it was a mental health issue. You need to own this better.

 

[wysdoc]

"After talking to three counselors,"
Were you searching for one who would say you didn't do anything wrong?

Report the IA briefly in 1 or two sentences on AMCAS whenever you are ready to apply. I doubt it will be gone from your college records if you apply after graduation, and overexplaining or even worse trying to hide the infraction on AMCAS will only make things worse.

 

[meepmeep32]

Can you tell me what your exact citation was in your institutional action and how the university dealt with it? For how long will this IA documentation be kept by your student conduct office?

Big problem: you made a decision. Sugar-coating it by calling it "unfortunate" when it was your choice already turned me off to the rest of your excuses that it was a mental health issue. You need to own this better.

The citation was for plagiarism, and the assignment was flagged for academic dishonesty. The university dealt with it by issuing a formal citation saying this was a warning, and I responded to a form agreeing to what I did. The sanction from the course was a 0 on the assignment. This is the one thing I have to confirm, because I wasn't clear, but the website officially says that student conduct records (if not permanent, like a warning) are retained until graduation. But, I am going to confirm.

I completely understand. I take full accountability for doing this, and mental health doesn't explain it because it's still an unethical decision regardless of the situation/context. Sorry it came off like that, I 100% realize it was my wrongdoing of my own accord that I made sound of mind. Thank you for pointing that out. As the other comment advised, I will work on addressing this concisely and precisely moving forward.

I don't think I can edit the post so I would just encourage future readers to omit that.

 

[meepmeep32]

"After talking to three counselors,"
Were you searching for one who would say you didn't do anything wrong?

Report the IA briefly in 1 or two sentences on AMCAS whenever you are ready to apply. I doubt it will be gone from your college records if you apply after graduation, and overexplaining or even worse trying to hide the infraction on AMCAS will only make things worse.

No. Two counselors were one-time crisis counselors, and the other helped me re-focus on my classes again while handling this. I'm doing free counseling, so they bounced me around to different counselors. None of them mentioned approval of my actions (and that was not on my mind to seek because a) I didn't want approval because I knew it was wrong in all cases b) I contacted them for a different reason).

Thank you for your input. I do tend to overexplain and will work on concise and precise words. Definitely don't plan on hiding it.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

The citation was for plagiarism, and the assignment was flagged for academic dishonesty. The university dealt with it by issuing a formal citation saying this was a warning, and I responded to a form agreeing to what I did. The sanction from the course was a 0 on the assignment. This is the one thing I have to confirm, because I wasn't clear, but the website officially says that student conduct records (if not permanent, like a warning) are retained until graduation. But, I am going to confirm.

I completely understand. I take full accountability for doing this, and mental health doesn't explain it because it's still an unethical decision regardless of the situation/context. Sorry it came off like that, I 100% realize it was my wrongdoing of my own accord that I made sound of mind. Thank you for pointing that out. As the other comment advised, I will work on addressing this concisely and precisely moving forward.

I don't think I can edit the post so I would just encourage future readers to omit that.

You realize you need to disclose what you did and how it was detected. We don't have your student code of conduct; nor will any adcoms (though they may look it up later). You must confirm how long the "warning" stays on your record. Admissions committees hate surprises.

AMCAS recently changed its rules on disclosing IA's, but individual schools may require you to disclose expunged cases. Be prepared.

 

[meepmeep32]

You realize you need to disclose what you did and how it was detected. We don't have your student code of conduct; nor will any adcoms (though they may look it up later). You must confirm how long the "warning" stays on your record. Admissions committees hate surprises.

AMCAS recently changed its rules on disclosing IA's, but individual schools may require you to disclose expunged cases. Be prepared.

Thank you for the advice. My next action item is getting that confirmation when the conduct office opens to ensure no surprises.

Yes, I fully plan on disclosing the plagiarism and being upfront with the medical schools especially in the secondaries, even with AMCAS's changed rules. I understand that although the first time punishment grants me leniency (which is very generous of my school), I have some serious reflection and character growth to do before I can consider myself an applicant that can contribute to maintaining a medical school's academic integrity.

 

[karaya]

I am hoping to apply to medical school in the 2027-2028 cycle (summer after senior year).

Mainly, I wanted to get an honest look into my chances of getting into any DO/MD school, and wanted to see if there is any way I can continue to be more proactive and re-establish trust in my academic community?

Too soon. There's not enough school left to remediate this, so you'll have to demonstrate personal growth some other way. I recommend service to the needy. It's easy to talk a big game. Keep in mind that vast majority of applicants haven't cheated.

 

[meepmeep32]

Too soon. There's not enough school left to remediate this, so you'll have to demonstrate personal growth some other way. I recommend service to the needy. It's easy to talk a big game. Keep in mind that vast majority of applicants haven't cheated.

Thank you for the advice. That was the part where I needed a reality check, and I am more than willing to take additional gap years to work on myself. I am currently planning for two now. Totally get that I'm at a disadvantage here (rightfully so - the punishment should fit the crime).

I am taking the service aspect to heart and use that to help me refocus on my values/morals. Going forth, I am planning on increasing my commitment and service hours in two activities I am already doing and volunteering with two additional underrepresented communities.

Grateful for all suggestions, thank you.

 

[Goro]

Too soon. There's not enough school left to remediate this, so you'll have to demonstrate personal growth some other way. I recommend service to the needy. It's easy to talk a big game. Keep in mind that vast majority of applicants haven't cheated.

Or tasking a position of responsibility.

 

[meepmeep32]

Or tasking a position of responsibility.

Thank you for the advice! Karaya's comment gave me the reality check I needed, and I am definitely planning for two gap years to ensure I demonstrate more ethical decision-making. Starting senior year, I will definitely pursue a few positions of responsibility. Keeping my options wide to ensure I might get accepted to one opportunity at least.

 

[LelouchLamperouge]

Saying that it’s “unfortunate” that you got caught cheating and explaining that you were dealing with a lot mentally will not fly well in graduate school admissions. I think this is especially the case in medical school admissions.

I’m not saying that I’m perfect and there are plenty of people who do cut corners and find themselves in medical school, but I do know that there are equally as many people who didn’t cheat and didn’t cut corners (if not more). Many people like me just take their L to the chin instead of cheating my way through it.

Beyond working on yourself in your gap year, you need to reflect and evaluate if this career is for you. If your response to “pressure” was to cheat while in college, then how are you going to get through the rigors of medical school?

 

[meepmeep32]

Saying that it’s “unfortunate” that you got caught cheating and explaining that you were dealing with a lot mentally will not fly well in graduate school admissions. I think this is especially the case in medical school admissions.

I’m not saying that I’m perfect and there are plenty of people who do cut corners and find themselves in medical school, but I do know that there are equally as many people who didn’t cheat and didn’t cut corners (if not more). Many people like me just take their L to the chin instead of cheating my way through it.

Beyond working on yourself in your gap year, you need to reflect and evaluate if this career is for you. If your response to “pressure” was to cheat while in college, then how are you going to get through the rigors of medical school?

That was a bad choice of words, I fully accept responsibility for that as Mr.Smiles pointed out. I completely understand your concern. What I meant by unfortunate was my poor decision making - not the fact that I got caught. I own up to my plagiarism, and I'm not using mental health as an excuse. More so, I was trying to convey your last point in an incorrect way - my worry that if I failed in undergrad, how could I handle med school?

I completely agree with your second point - my school is known for high rates of depression, and still others don't cheat (for example, I have friends that went through the same situation and chose to medically withdraw instead, so I completely understand there were other ethical options available, and I failed in moral character to choose the unethical pathway).

I agree that my response to the pressure was to cheat, and that draws concerns to medical school performance ability. Currently, I'm working with my counselors to see if therapy can assist with forming coping strategies and addressing prior issues, and I'm working with course staff in other courses (and this course) moving forward to end the semester on a good note (going to Office hours, communicating with professors for extensions, taking time off from extracurriculars). Senior year, I have 3 pre-reqs, and 2 upper level STEM classes I have yet to complete, so I will implement these to ensure even when I inevitably feel that pressure again (3 of them are notorious weed-out classes), my decision-making stands firm.

I agree that I have much reflection to do, and since barely any time has passed, I cannot say that I have changed already. However, I do take 100% accountability and recognize where I went wrong. To address the last point, I am hoping that during my senior year and 2 gap years, my involvement in more service and leadership related opportunities will introduce me to challenging and diverse scenarios to push the limits of helping me reflect if I am ready for medical school or not.

Thank you for your advice. I appreciate seeing that my line of thinking and my concerns are on the right track, and I should heavily reflect on this experience and what it means when pursuing an academically rigorous career path when these pressured situations will come up again.

 

[pemingtons]

Thanks for sharing. I am sorry you have gone through this and I empathize greatly.

My question to you and others in this thread - is this classified as an IA? You said that it isn't on your transcript or student conduct record.

Per AMCAS "Your academic record may consist of an official transcript as well as a student conduct record. Your official transcript will likely include institutional actions for unacceptable academic performance. Your student conduct record will likely include institutional actions for conduct violations. Most institutional actions do not interrupt your enrollment or require you to withdraw." Institutional Action

Talk with your counselors regarding this specific point, please.

 

[Goro]

Seems like an IA to me.

 

[pemingtons]

Seems like an IA to me.

Fortunately for the OP, it is not relevant what seems like an IA to you, but to AMCAS.

Perhaps you should reflect on the many mistakes you have made throughout your life which have not been exposed to your superior(s) and the subsequent gratitude you have felt during those instances. It is in that place where you might find some understanding (maybe even some humanity).

 

[LelouchLamperouge]

Fortunately for the OP, it is not relevant what seems like an IA to you, but to AMCAS.

Perhaps you should reflect on the many mistakes you have made throughout your life which have not been exposed to your superior(s) and the subsequent gratitude you have felt during those instances. It is in that place where you might find some understanding (maybe even some humanity).

Cheating is not a "mistake," it's an active choice that one has to make. OP could have easily chose to complete their work on their own, instead they chose to copy answers from a previous year. How is that a mistake? Many of us in undergrad experienced the pressure of securing good grades, many people did not cheat their way to get there. Many of us go through mental health crises, but even OP stated that even they knew people that didn't resort to cheating. We can be empathetic/sympathetic towards OP because we understand what it's like; HOWEVER, we need to hold each other accountable for the actions we take to get there. The OP may very well not have to report this as an IA, but after going through this and hearing what we had to say, I'm sure as hell that they won't do it again.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Fortunately for the OP, it is not relevant what seems like an IA to you, but to AMCAS.

Perhaps you should reflect on the many mistakes you have made throughout your life which have not been exposed to your superior(s) and the subsequent gratitude you have felt during those instances. It is in that place where you might find some understanding (maybe even some humanity).

No, an academic integrity violation matters to the institution, which is why they have a system of reporting.

As I mentioned above, what is the specific plagiarism citation and how is this information kept in the student conduct office. Not every school issues a "warning" that is undocumented (the OP may not need to report it at all) vs. those who keep a temporary record in case a second incident is filed. The student conduct office must explain how the citation is processed and handled (e.g., whether there were any remediation seminars on plagiarism).

AMCAS as an application service doesn't care. The schools who comprise AMCAS do care, and they may ask individually if AMCAS has been told it cannot request this information.

Yes, I'm sure there are many more college students who have cheated in some way but avoided getting caught. Many of them probably did make it to medical school and beyond. Heck, the anecdotes about how many high school students have cheated to get into their dream colleges should shock everyone, though I know it doesn't.

 

[Goro]

Fortunately for the OP, it is not relevant what seems like an IA to you, but to AMCAS.

Perhaps you should reflect on the many mistakes you have made throughout your life which have not been exposed to your superior(s) and the subsequent gratitude you have felt during those instances. It is in that place where you might find some understanding (maybe even some humanity).

I'm here to tell people what they need to hear, not what they want to hear.