academic misconduct

[hopefulCC]

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My troubled scenario:

I am a "non traditional" applicant.
I graduated from a Univ. of CA with a cGPA of 3.29 and a sGPA of 3.4
After receiving my BS in Biology, I am now pursuing an MS in Biology.
I worked as a research assistant for 2 years at a company, researched under the supervision of a PI for my MS, shadowed DOs and MDs (which provided LORs) for 2 years, volunteered at a hospital for 2 years, volunteered in community projects about 2-3 hours/ week for 1 year, and was a TA for 1 year (as a graduate student).
I'm going to be volunteering in a healthcare program abroad for a month.
I will be taking the MCAT again before I apply, aiming for about 27+.

My biggest problem:
During the summer of my 2nd year I took 2 courses fulll time over summer (Philosophy and Religion studies- Daoism). I was doing fine until halfway through my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. She doesn't speak English well so I took her from hospital to hospitals translating and helping her fill out papers. My dad fell back into heavy drinking and eventually left my family. My brother discovered his addiction to online gaming and so it was basically my responsibility to take care of my mom.
For the Daoism final paper, the second half was a book review. I plagiarized my concluding paragraph and received a 0 on that portion of the paper... I got a C in the class with the academic misconduct burn on the transcript. I don't rememeber why I did it, but I just felt so trapped and I felt the world closing in on me. It was the worst summer of my life.
It took me a while to pick myself up, but eventually I did. I was part of a HS conference and I was a guest speaker on the panel. I spoke out against academic dishonestly and tried to tell the HS kids that there are always alternatives, you don't have to feel trapped. cheating and lying is wrong.. etc. It was a very humiliating, but humbling experience. The least of what I deserve...

What do you think my chances are of me getting interviews/ acceptances at DOs? I feel so defeated every time I think about how stupid I was. I'm a first generation college student and I have no idea how to go about anything. I have no one around me who understands what I'm going through.

Your opinions would really help me and I would sincerely appreciate it.
Thanks for taking your time and reading what I had to say.
I feel so utterly lost...

 

[AdemTD]

If you're applying DO, AACOMAS has a section that allows you to explain any academic misconduct/probation/warnings etc. You'll definitely want to do a good job of explaining the circumstances around it and your experience as a panel speaker speaking against out against it. I think you'll still have a shot. Everyone makes mistakes.

 

[Styria]

Most DO applications have a place on them where they ask if you've ever officially had academic misconduct. Note that they say 'If yes, please explain in detail below' and not 'if yes, don't bother filling out our application.' You made a mistake, but you have the final word on explaining it.

On the application, you should probably just explain what happened, including your difficult circumstances. The HS conferene and guest speaking is great, but that's an extended answer you would provide them during your interview unless it's one of your ECs. But don't take my word for it. Talking to admissions advisors from the schools you apply to would be best, since they'll explain how extensive an answer they need on the application, including whether they want you to write down what you learned from it.

I don't think you need to feel lost.

 

[time2go]

in that section, i would talk about how you learned form that experience and started talking to hs kids about it.....dont make excuses, say that yoyu learned from it.....I heard a student in a similar student ask an admissions specialist this question and this was her answer. She also said some schools will automatically disqualify you, but some will let this slide by.....this was also an MD school specialist talking just fyi...good luck

 

[Semicolon]

I agree with everyone above. It's obvious that your judgment was impaired by everything that was happening around you, and that's understandable. I highly doubt that this would close any doors for you as long as the schools know about your past situation.

You've been through a lot of hardships and that shows great determination. I sincerely hope that you will be rewarded for everything you've achieved thus far; good luck! 🙂

 

[hopefulCC]

Thank you all for your advise and kind words.
I'm really trying to be optimistic, but at the same time I don't want to go into this with false hope thinking that my circumstances will "make it easier to explain". I know what I did was inexcusable. It's demoralizing and it demeans my character, degree, and everything that I've had to work so hard to achieve thus far. That was what I was trying to get across to the HS kids. I just hope it doesn't forever brand me as an unfit candidate for medical school, I hope they will be able to see that there's more to me than my mistakes.

Being a doctor is something I feel very passionate about, and I won't give up without a fight. I made a grave error in judgment, but in the process I've learned a lot about myself.
I honestly pray to God that my message/ speech was able to reach those HS kids... this is such a stressful and crappy situation to handle.

 

[Buckeye(OH)]

The truth, shall set you free!

Ive sat on admission interviews, I wouldn't hold **** like that against you.

 

[howard100]

I recently interviewed at "a school" and spoke to a student who was a felon (it came up in conversation). Throughout the course of the day I found out she/he was at the top of his/her class. I'm not going to that school (for geographical reasons) but I was really impressed with the situation. DO schools are great for this kind of thing. Less applicants = more time to look at the whole application.

You'll be fine. I understood your explanation, so will an AdCom.

 

[PunkmedGirl]

I recently interviewed at "a school" and spoke to a student who was a felon (it came up in conversation). Throughout the course of the day I found out she/he was at the top of his/her class. I'm not going to that school (for geographical reasons) but I was really impressed with the situation. DO schools are great for this kind of thing. Less applicants = more time to look at the whole application.

You'll be fine. I understood your explanation, so will an AdCom.

Did she say what she did??

 

[slick27]

felonies can be for almost anything. I met a felon who got his/her because he hooked his truck up to his ex's wifes tree in her yard to his truck and pull the tree out of the ground. Technically it was destruction of property, aka a felony.

 

[DrJosephKim]

We all make mistakes. However, we need to demonstrate that we won't repeat our mistakes. You may want to consider telling your story about this mistake to those who will be writing letters for you. If they can confidently write that they don't think you'd repeat the same type of mistake again, then I think you'll be in a very good position. Best of luck to you.