Allopathic Medical School (MD) Secondary Application Criminal Background Question

[leagueofDravenMD]

Hello all,
I am applying to MD schools this cycle with an arrest record, although I was never convicted I was charged for a few things. However, I had them dropped through a diversion program. I am aware that schools ask different questions regarding criminal background on their secondary applications; some schools ask about prior convictions only while others want to know if you have ever been charged or arrested.

So my question is: Does anyone know which schools only ask for prior convictions? Is there a way to find out besides awkwardly calling every school I am interested in for this information?


I am a good student (3.86 GPA, 36 MCAT, decent EC's), who just made a mistake. I am aware that residency programs will scrutinize my record more in the future, but for now I am just focused about getting into medicals school without having to weigh down my application with something that was expunged.
Thanks!

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[gonnif]

This is tricky as even though you were diverted, it still may show up on a criminal background check. Personally, I recommend all students disclose

 

[leagueofDravenMD]

I agree. I plan to disclose whenever I must, but it would not be lying to answer "no" to a "have you ever been convicted?" question. It may show up in the background check later and I will have done nothing wrong. Plus it will be easier to disclose and explain after an acceptance than before one.

Is there any way to know which schools will ask on their secondaries the more invasive question: "Have you ever been arrested?"

 

[gonnif]

I agree. I plan to disclose whenever I must, but it would not be lying to answer "no" to a "have you ever been convicted?" question. It may show up in the background check later and I will have done nothing wrong. Plus it will be easier to disclose and explain after an acceptance than before one.

Is there any way to know which schools will ask on their secondaries the more invasive question: "Have you ever been arrested?"

We are talking about two different things.

The technical legal question on a secondary, which may not ask "have you ever been arrested?"
The reality question when an adcom sees your criminal background check and decides to rescind your acceptance.
And yes, they can do that

 

[Cara Delevingne]

weigh down my application with something that was expunged.

Most questions, as far as I can recall, only asked if you were ever convicted of a crime.
If your conviction was expunged, you still need to say that you have been convicted of a crime (you have to have been convicted to have it expunged). It was later expunged, but at one point the judge ruled that you were guilty of (or you plead guilty, etc) whatever the charge was. This is important to disclose because once the time comes to get your medical license, the institution granting those licenses will be able to see expunged/sealed records, so it is in your best interest to let the school know.

If your situation was that you were NOT convicted, and the charges were simply dropped, you do not need to disclose anything other than "were you ever arrested/charged" at which point say yes but the judge/DA ruled to drop the charges after _______.

You can look through the MSAR and see which schools require the CBC. I think all public schools do require it, and some private (e.g. WCMC) does not require it. You can start hand-picking your schools that way if you wish. Or, you can ask a friend of yours who's applying to the schools you'll be applying to and ask to look through the secondaries once s/he receives them. Your app will be slightly late, but you can submit AMCAS with some dud school you don't want to attend in early June, have it verified, and then add schools later as your friend receives and screens their secondaries.

 

[leagueofDravenMD]

Most questions, as far as I can recall, only asked if you were ever convicted of a crime.
If your conviction was expunged, you still need to say that you have been convicted of a crime (you have to have been convicted to have it expunged). It was later expunged, but at one point the judge ruled that you were guilty of (or you plead guilty, etc) whatever the charge was. This is important to disclose because once the time comes to get your medical license, the institution granting those licenses will be able to see expunged/sealed records, so it is in your best interest to let the school know.

If your situation was that you were NOT convicted, and the charges were simply dropped, you do not need to disclose anything other than "were you ever arrested/charged" at which point say yes but the judge/DA ruled to drop the charges after _______.

You can look through the MSAR and see which schools require the CBC. I think all public schools do require it, and some private (e.g. WCMC) does not require it. You can start hand-picking your schools that way if you wish. Or, you can ask a friend of yours who's applying to the schools you'll be applying to and ask to look through the secondaries once s/he receives them. Your app will be slightly late, but you can submit AMCAS with some dud school you don't want to attend in early June, have it verified, and then add schools later as your friend receives and screens their secondaries.

Thanks for the tips. Also I believe my arrest record is what is being expunged. I was never convicted of the charges, they were dismissed (nolle prossed) because of the pre-trial diversion.

 

[Cara Delevingne]

Thanks for the tips. Also I believe my arrest record is what is being expunged. I was never convicted of the charges, they were dismissed (nolle prossed) because of the pre-trial diversion.

In that case I don't think expunged would be the correct term, probably just had the charges dropped/dismissed/sealed. Expunged, legally, typically refers to convictions (felonies/misdemeanors) that were removed from your rap sheet.

 

[Brawndo2016]

This is tricky as even though you were diverted, it still may show up on a criminal background check. Personally, I recommend all students disclose

These questions are always tricky. How would you approach an arrest for DUI several years prior (non trad applicant) that went into a diversion that subsequently resulted in dismissal? Specifically a dismissal with no conviction. The state in question shows no criminal record at the state bureau level for felonies or misdemeanors and a driving record is also void of any mention of this.

 

[gonnif]

These questions are always tricky. How would you approach an arrest for DUI several years prior (non trad applicant) that went into a diversion that subsequently resulted in dismissal? Specifically a dismissal with no conviction. The state in question shows no criminal record at the state bureau level for felonies or misdemeanors and a driving record is also void of any mention of this.

If you are confident that it doesnt show up, AMCAS rules certainly do not require you report. I think following those rules are in order here

 

[Goro]

We tend to ignore stuff like this when they're followed by long periods of exemplary behavior.

We were also young and stupid once as well.

These questions are always tricky. How would you approach an arrest for DUI several years prior (non trad applicant) that went into a diversion that subsequently resulted in dismissal? Specifically a dismissal with no conviction. The state in question shows no criminal record at the state bureau level for felonies or misdemeanors and a driving record is also void of any mention of this.

 

[Med Ed]

Thanks for the tips. Also I believe my arrest record is what is being expunged. I was never convicted of the charges, they were dismissed (nolle prossed) because of the pre-trial diversion.

When in doubt, contact an attorney.

 

[BigChief]

Contact the attorney that handled your case, ask him if the diversion you successfully completed allowed the charges to be dropped or dismissed before coviction. In that case the question of being charged would have to be answered but not the question of being convicted. When in doubt run a background check on yourself.

 

[jacksonoreilly]

I had a felony conviction officially expunged. My understanding is that I do not have to declare this. However, I ran a background check on myself through a highly rated online company, and it showed that I was arrested and charged with a felony by a specific police department- but it doesn't show conviction. I am a top chemistry student with excellent MCAT scores getting ready to apply for admission in 2017. What do I do?? thank you! very concerned!

 

[gonnif]

I had a felony conviction officially expunged. My understanding is that I do not have to declare this. However, I ran a background check on myself through a highly rated online company, and it showed that I was arrested and charged with a felony by a specific police department- but it doesn't show conviction. I am a top chemistry student with excellent MCAT scores getting ready to apply for admission in 2017. What do I do?? thank you! very concerned!

By AMCAS rules you do not have to put this on your primary
Individual schools still may ask about this on their secondaries, and depending on your state/age at time of expunged, you could again not have to list it

However, the legality isnt going to be your problem, if you get accepted, and when a criminal background check is run, then they suddenly see an arrest and charge with no disposition. You could argue legally that the school has no right to inquire about something that there is no evidence about, but I am sure that will be the first question they will ask. Schools have enough broad/vague written policy that will allow them to rescind an acceptance under "incompatible with mission" or something similar.

I dont have a good answer for the best way to approach this

 

[Med Ed]

I had a felony conviction officially expunged. My understanding is that I do not have to declare this. However, I ran a background check on myself through a highly rated online company, and it showed that I was arrested and charged with a felony by a specific police department- but it doesn't show conviction. I am a top chemistry student with excellent MCAT scores getting ready to apply for admission in 2017. What do I do?? thank you! very concerned!

If an entity allows you to omit expunged convictions, then omit. If they come back later and want an explanation of your arrest record then explain it. I agree with @gonnif that someone could still hold it against you, but not necessarily. Expungement exists for a reason, and at least some folks out there would respect that.

In the meantime you should look into getting your arrest record expunged. It may seem like the conviction expungement should wipe the entire incident, but that's not usually the case.

 

[gonnif]

If an entity allows you to omit expunged convictions, then omit. If they come back later and want an explanation of your arrest record then explain it. I agree with @gonnif that someone could still hold it against you, but not necessarily. Expungement exists for a reason, and at least some folks out there would respect that.

In the meantime you should look into getting your arrest record expunged. It may seem like the conviction expungement should wipe the entire incident, but that's not usually the case.

I would agree @Med Ed on this.

old legal adage says when the facts are with you, argue the facts. when they are not argue the law or rules in this case. go forward and apply with expunged not mention.

 

[5tgb6yhn4rfv]

I had a felony conviction officially expunged. My understanding is that I do not have to declare this. However, I ran a background check on myself through a highly rated online company, and it showed that I was arrested and charged with a felony by a specific police department- but it doesn't show conviction. I am a top chemistry student with excellent MCAT scores getting ready to apply for admission in 2017. What do I do?? thank you! very concerned!

would you please let me know which online company you used to run your background check? i am going through similar issues. thanks

 

[GoSpursGo]

would you please let me know which online company you used to run your background check? i am going through similar issues. thanks

The person you quoted hasn't logged in for over 6 years, so it's unlikely they are going to see your message (though they are welcome to PM you).

Since this thread is very out of date, I'm going to lock it.