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Maybe if he was in a recovery program for a while and demonstrated a serious change of heart and mindset I might view it differently.I can’t recommend spending the time/money on med school apps because if anyone on the committees to schools or residency thought like I did you wouldn’t get in. It’s possible you get lucky.
Do not go to the carribbean. Just don’t
And never drink again, you’ve now been caught risking lives twice whicj means you did more than that. It needs to stop
From the time I got my dui at 21 yrs old I made the decision to never do anything that dangerous/stupid again. On the occasion that I drank, I followed the two-beer rule, meaning that you are okay to drive if you have only had two beers. This was the common practice at the time (and maybe still is?).
How about you either never drink again or never drive againFrom this point I have never and will never drink anything and then drive.
On a more serious note, I think your chances for MD/DO in the US are shot especially in this day and age where DUIs are rightfully considered more and more taboo, at least more so than it was 20 years ago. Carib is still an option, but I'm sure you've heard of the problems they have down there as well. If you are OK with IM I don't think you have a terrible chance of matching from thereHi everyone. I’m posting this looking for a little clarity on my situation. This exact situation hasn’t been posted about before. I’m hoping that people familiar with medical school admissions, residency admissions, and state licensing could weigh in (adcoms or student adcoms maybe?)
I have heard the consensus that a dui/dwi on your record is not going to block a person from getting into medical school, given that years have gone by and the person is remorseful (learned from their lesson). I have also heard that two dui/dwis on a person’s record is a reason to find a completely new career path because this shows a pattern of irresponsible behavior (not sure if a person could become any type of provider, dentist, etc. at that point).
I guess I fall in a grey area in between these two situations.
What are the career possibilities for a person with a dui at 21 yrs old and a (wet) reckless driving conviction 10 years later? I am an older/returning student so it’s been about 7 years since the reckless driving charge. The reckless driving conviction was pled down from an original charge of dui for a 0.08 bac. I know fully well that explaining the detailed circumstances of a conviction can easily be interpreted as making excuses, so please understand that I would not disclose details unless directly asked by someone in admissions (and even then cautiously). I will give a description here, but only to fully inform the reader, not to make excuses. Let me start by saying I wish I could go back in time. All I can do is learn from my mistake.
From the time I got my dui at 21 yrs old I made the decision to never do anything that dangerous/stupid again. On the occasion that I drank, I followed the two-beer rule, meaning that you are okay to drive if you have only had two beers. This was the common practice at the time (and maybe still is?). I believed that this was being responsible. Many years later I was pulled over for driving above the speed limit and asked to take a breathalyzer. I had had two beers that evening, definitely did not feel inebriated, and felt safe to drive. I agreed to the breathalyzer and was shocked to produce a 0.08 bac. I was charged with a dui, which was reduced to a reckless driving charge because the breathalyzers have a certain inaccuracy (this is what my lawyer told me – his words). I paid my fines, did my probation and forfeited driving in the state for a period of time. I have gone over many times in my head how I got to this point. I hadn’t thought about it at the time, but the beers I had were craft beers. I don’t even know what alcohol percentage they were. A higher percentage combined with not eating first may been what put me at the legal limit. Not keeping track of these things was stupid and reckless on my part. From this point I have never and will never drink anything and then drive.
I may be able to get the reckless driving conviction or arrest sealed, but maybe not. I understand that this would only allow me to avoid disclosure if the application prompt said “do not disclose if the case was sealed”. Otherwise I of course would explain all misdemeanors (briefly) as asked by the prompt of whatever application I was on. I realize that a person reviewing my details for possible admission may have context or may not, they may only see the arrest record and convictions 10 years apart.
I am asking logistically, what should I do? How much detail/context does one disclose? Should I forget about being a medical doctor altogether (or any type of provider even)? Alternatively, does this mean that I should apply only to schools in the lowest/lower tiers although I will probably (after MCAT) have decent Lizzy M (prob 72-80) and wedgedawg ARS (prob 80-87) scores? Basically, where does this leave me?
Thanks in advance for reading this (sorry for the length) and for any advice.
Why do you think that DO would be more forgiving of this than MD schools?Not an adcom but I would imagine there would be schools that would take a risk on you. Certainly not all but I would bet some or a few. Worst case scenario, I would go carib or DO because you are likely to do well on step since your issue is not academic in nature. From that point (matching into residency), the reckless driving incident is 15 years behind you and you have shown a good track record in med school.
I think as others have mentioned, most schools will deny you based on your criminal history (after going through this process, I can honestly say it only takes one think that doesn't look appealing for schools to deny you, and it doesn't even have to be a red flag. Unfortunately, you have 2 red flags at this point, and this is before you have even applied).I respect everyone’s input and it has been in line with what I was anticipating. What I am trying to determine is if this sentiment is shared by individuals who are adcoms, student adcoms, folks in residency admissions, or to hear from individuals who have been in this position. I am trying to determine a course based on the input from individuals with direct experience. I am definitely not defending my past nor making excuses. I am remorseful and have taken steps to make sure this is something that never happens again. I am aware of a few folks on SDN who are adcoms but fear that PMing them is not appropriate. Is anyone aware of etiquette around that?
no need to pm, youve had 2 straight up respond here... but yeah my opinion isnt worth anymore than yours or anyone else's here but I just cant think of a situation where a school would take you unless the rest of your app is absolutely spectacular over someone else who has similar accomplishments/ stats but without the dui. 2 duis show not only poor decision making but an utter disregard for the lives of others..2 traits which imo are unforgivable in anyone who hopes to be a medical professionalI respect everyone’s input and it has been in line with what I was anticipating. What I am trying to determine is if this sentiment is shared by individuals who are adcoms, student adcoms, folks in residency admissions, or to hear from individuals who have been in this position. I am trying to determine a course based on the input from individuals with direct experience. I am definitely not defending my past nor making excuses. I am remorseful and have taken steps to make sure this is something that never happens again. I am aware of a few folks on SDN who are adcoms but fear that PMing them is not appropriate. Is anyone aware of etiquette around that?
One to two drinks per hour will generally keep someone under the legal limit depending on gender, weight, food, and many other factors. However one drink is 5 ounces of 12% wine, 12 ounces of 5% beer, or 1.5 ounces of 40% spirits. Many people are drinking more than this and calling it one drink. So while people certainly might safely drive after one or two of the servings above given enough time to metabolize it, the only definite safe amount is zero. That is what anyone who has had a dui should do forevermore because they have already demonstrated the inability to assess their safety for driving.Odd, two beers is typically below .08 (seems I'm the only person in this thread who's heard of this, you're not alone), but you're right that high abv beers plus your gender/weight can affect it. Unfortunately, I don't think there is any recourse for two incidents of so similar nature with so much time between them. Definitely sucks, but if it makes you feel better even one DUI is extremely hard to overcome, so it's not like you were in the clear and screwed yourself. You were already 5 feet deep in the proverbial grave. Best of luck with your application (if you apply) or whatever else you do!
Yeah typically people screw up when they drink something like two lemon drop martinis (two standard units of alcohol each) and call it two drinks, when in reality its four. Beer is usually safer, but high abv can be tricky. Two 7.5 percent alcohol beers = 3 beers. I personally think .08 is too high, I've played around with my friends to-go breathalyzer and at .06 I felt too tipsy to drive.One to two drinks per hour will generally keep someone under the legal limit depending on gender, weight, food, and many other factors. However one drink is 5 ounces of 12% wine, 12 ounces of 5% beer, or 1.5 ounces of 40% spirits. Many people are drinking more than this and calling it one drink. So while people certainly might safely drive after one or two of the servings above given enough time to metabolize it, the only definite safe amount is zero. That is what anyone who has had a dui should do forevermore because they have already demonstrated the inability to assess their safety for driving.
While there is certainly an element of luck in the process, it's not as random as you make it sound. One sympathetic reader of a file won't do anyone any good in a process that involves a committee, where the committee has policies and requirements. Based on the feedback provided by the adcoms, this sounds like a DOA application. It sucks, but at least OP received an honest answer before investing time and money.I think as others have mentioned, most schools will deny you based on your criminal history (after going through this process, I can honestly say it only takes one think that doesn't look appealing for schools to deny you, and it doesn't even have to be a red flag. Unfortunately, you have 2 red flags at this point, and this is before you have even applied).
However, whether people want to admit it or not, a chunk of this process is about luck. Maybe the person reading your file has a relative who had a DUI (or multiple), sought counseling, and became a better man because of the DUI, so they may be more likely to overlook your criminal record. That being said, that's why no one one here, adcoms, accepted med students, or premed students, can give you a 100% definite answer. It's a tough spot to be in for sure
We’ve all heard of it before. It’s just that everybody else realizes that judging your level of intoxication solely off of the number of fluid ounces consumed is flawed beyond belief. A 250lb male who consumes 32 ounces of coors light will have a drastically different bac than someone who is 110 lbs and consumes the same quantity of dog fish head’s 120minute ipa (side note, if you haven’t tried this and like ipas I highly recommend it).Odd, two beers is typically below .08 (seems I'm the only person in this thread who's heard of this, you're not alone)
Mostly responding to pchemdestr8's comment.We’ve all heard of it before. It’s just that everybody else realizes that judging your level of intoxication solely off of the number of fluid ounces consumed is flawed beyond belief. A 250lb male who consumes 32 ounces of coors light will have a drastically different bac than someone who is 110 lbs and consumes the same quantity of dog fish head’s 120minute ipa (side note, if you haven’t tried this and like ipas I highly recommend it).
I was responding to a person's post who said that they thought that this was the case. I personally have no idea about which schools, if any, I should apply to. It sounds like I should consider other careers. I sincerely thank you for your response.
and I will be a future adcom so I think my opinion should be held highly as wellOf the people who have posted in this thread, both Goro and Moko are adcoms.
@DataplzHaving two separate incidents multiple years apart is concerning. Sometimes when a significant amount of time has passed, an incident can be overlooked as that of someone being young and stupid. In your case, your last incident occurred in your early thirties. It will be a very uphill battle, and your application will need to offer something substantial beyond that of other applicants to be even considered. Just my thoughts
Great idea -- lie by omission and hope not to get caught.@Dataplz
For a moment forget the back story on the second incident.
Is the wreckless driving on record specifically as Wet or alcohol related? (Varies by state)
If not, go forward, 25mph over limit isn’t that uncommon, is by definition often cited as Wreckless Driving, and would fully obscure further details. Thusly still be considered a moving violation conviction.
If Wet / Alcohol is part of the record, I’d say almost no chance of admissions, and even harder chance for residency and licensing later.
If not wet, the single DUI will be of focus and specifically need to be addressed as 10years of awareness and growth.
And again when applying for residencies, licenses, DEA numbers...Great idea -- lie by omission and hope not to get caught.
Hi everyone. I’m posting this looking for a little clarity on my situation. This exact situation hasn’t been posted about before. I’m hoping that people familiar with medical school admissions, residency admissions, and state licensing could weigh in (adcoms or student adcoms maybe?)
I have heard the consensus that a dui/dwi on your record is not going to block a person from getting into medical school, given that years have gone by and the person is remorseful (learned from their lesson). I have also heard that two dui/dwis on a person’s record is a reason to find a completely new career path because this shows a pattern of irresponsible behavior (not sure if a person could become any type of provider, dentist, etc. at that point).
I guess I fall in a grey area in between these two situations.
What are the career possibilities for a person with a dui at 21 yrs old and a (wet) reckless driving conviction 10 years later? I am an older/returning student so it’s been about 7 years since the reckless driving charge. The reckless driving conviction was pled down from an original charge of dui for a 0.08 bac. I know fully well that explaining the detailed circumstances of a conviction can easily be interpreted as making excuses, so please understand that I would not disclose details unless directly asked by someone in admissions (and even then cautiously). I will give a description here, but only to fully inform the reader, not to make excuses. Let me start by saying I wish I could go back in time. All I can do is learn from my mistake.
From the time I got my dui at 21 yrs old I made the decision to never do anything that dangerous/stupid again. On the occasion that I drank, I followed the two-beer rule, meaning that you are okay to drive if you have only had two beers. This was the common practice at the time (and maybe still is?). I believed that this was being responsible. Many years later I was pulled over for driving above the speed limit and asked to take a breathalyzer. I had had two beers that evening, definitely did not feel inebriated, and felt safe to drive. I agreed to the breathalyzer and was shocked to produce a 0.08 bac. I was charged with a dui, which was reduced to a reckless driving charge because the breathalyzers have a certain inaccuracy (this is what my lawyer told me – his words). I paid my fines, did my probation and forfeited driving in the state for a period of time. I have gone over many times in my head how I got to this point. I hadn’t thought about it at the time, but the beers I had were craft beers. I don’t even know what alcohol percentage they were. A higher percentage combined with not eating first may been what put me at the legal limit. Not keeping track of these things was stupid and reckless on my part. From this point I have never and will never drink anything and then drive.
I may be able to get the reckless driving conviction or arrest sealed, but maybe not. I understand that this would only allow me to avoid disclosure if the application prompt said “do not disclose if the case was sealed”. Otherwise I of course would explain all misdemeanors (briefly) as asked by the prompt of whatever application I was on. I realize that a person reviewing my details for possible admission may have context or may not, they may only see the arrest record and convictions 10 years apart.
I am asking logistically, what should I do? How much detail/context does one disclose? Should I forget about being a medical doctor altogether (or any type of provider even)? Alternatively, does this mean that I should apply only to schools in the lowest/lower tiers although I will probably (after MCAT) have decent Lizzy M (prob 72-80) and wedgedawg ARS (prob 80-87) scores? Basically, where does this leave me?
Thanks in advance for reading this (sorry for the length) and for any advice.
Multiple people who have responded are adcom members or practicing physicians.I would honestly not take anyones advice here who is an applying student. I’m sure they are well intentioned but they simply have no clue. Talk to a lawyer who has dealt with issues like this with state licensing boards to get a better informed opinion of your situation. Then I would go to Med school and have a frank discussion with someone on the Adcom committee. It doesn’t have to be a school you are applying to. Get a lawyer and see what if anything can be sealed. Mistakes are made and noone should pay for life for a mistake they made many years prior. Im not absolving you’re actions or making judgments because its not my right. If you have improved your character and want to be a doctor there will be some schools that will give you a chance if your other profile is competitive. If you want to be a doctor then you will likely be willing to do anything to achieve this goal including going overseas. If you want it bad enough then get people who can give you INFORMED opinions and go from there. Good luck.
It also doesn’t take an adcom or admissions expert to state with a moderate degree of certainty that 2 duis, spaced out by a decent amount of time indicates a degree of poor decision making and lack of self control that most schools wouldn’t be able to overlook. I assume most adcoms will realize that OP is either the most unlucky person in the world who got pulled over the only 2 times that he drove while inebriated or this is a chronic issue and it’s only a matter of time before his “2 beers” turns into 12 and a poor family driving home from dinner gets rammed off of the road. Which scenario sounds more likely?Multiple people who have responded are adcom members or practicing physicians.
A dui is a dui, doesn’t matter if it’s alcohol, marijuana or any other altering substance. I’ll admit that I don’t take as much issue with texting as I do with dui solely based on the fact that people can selectively choose when they are “impaired” if texting whereas with a dui it doesn’t matter if you’re on an empty country road, stuck in slow moving traffic or flying down the autobahn at 90mph. That being said I definitely don’t approve of either. For whatever reason most of our society has decided that a multitude of forms of distracted driving are not only permissible but the norm and I’d implore anyone who doesn’t take issue with it to spend a few months emting. First time you see a car wrapped around a telephone pole with the passenger ejected from the front windshield you’ll change your mindLastly, I hope that the rabid response by many to the DUI, would be equally rabid if the OP was driving under the influence of cannabis or worse, texting while driving. I believe texting or distracted driving is worse as there are no drugs inhibiting their decisions. The decision to be distracted is purely on them. I cant tell you how many times I had to honk at an idiot drifting into my lane while the were looking at their phone
Which is absolutely ridiculous.. I was fined more for driving 55 in a 50 lol. Although my state might be worse. You can’t be pulled over for texting while driving unless you are concurrently violating another traffic law, in which csse you can be cited for bothThe penalties in my state for this is about a $100 fine.