Anonymous Help for a Checkered Past

[IAmNonTraditional]

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Hi all,
I'd like to be as discrete as possible on this site, but, I just graduated from one of America's better colleges with a 3.81 cGPA after a very checkered past, one which I will choose not to post on a public board. I have not been in an ounce of trouble over the last 7+ years (quite the contrary, I have been a model citizen) but, I'm 27 and would like some advice going forward for applying to be an MD. I know my past was a tool for my admission into the college I just graduated from, they looked at me as a turn-around/success story and went out on a limb accepting me, but, I was hoping I could have some candidates for taking me under their respective wings for some advice with anonymity via private message.

Thanks!
Anonymous

 

[giggle]

3.81 cGPA after a very checkered past, one which I will choose not to post on a public board.

I just picture you on a big checkerboard. 😛

Your gpa looks great, and everyone likes success stories. (As long as you didn't kill anyone... you'd probably be in jail if that was the case anyway. I hope.) I'm sure someone on here with a similar background can help you out. If nobody does, feel free to PM me.

 

[drdan83]

If you don't want to say what you did (and you don't have to) how would you expect someone here to give you advice?

If you are a criminal, don't expect to go to med school. If you have a DUI or something like that, then each school will look at your past differently.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

It really depends how checkered. If you have any felonies, find a new path because you have no chance. If you are sitting on misdemeanors, depending what they are, it isn't likely. If you have an OWI or didn't pay a large amount of parking tickets, you might be ok.

 

[giggle]

If you don't want to say what you did (and you don't have to) how would you expect someone here to give you advice?

If you read his post completely:

I was hoping I could have some candidates for taking me under their respective wings for some advice with anonymity via private message.

 

[wholeheartedly]

OP, I don't know enough about those types of situations to offer advice. I did want to say way to go with the turn around though. 👍

 

[drdan83]

If you read his post completely:

I did read his post.

I was encouraging him to be more open because adcoms will not be very forgiving.

 

[isoquin]

Colleges have a tendency of seeking out students like you because they're great humanitarian stories. Med schools, not so much. I believe every one of them will ask if you've ever been convicted of a crime. This is a question that comes up throughout med school, as you get numerous background checks to work at places like the VA or children's hospitals.

I'm happy to discuss this with you privately, but keep in mind that major adult convictions are really looked down upon by a lot of med schools. I'm not entirely sure about juvenile issues, but I can check for you if you'd like.

 

[IAmNonTraditional]

Thank you all for your support thus far, the people on this board are so helpful. I may post my specific case on here, details and all, but, for now, I am going to keep it private until I get the go ahead from others. Please understand that I really want to use the best judgement I can regarding my informing others (including schools) of my past, hence my asking for help on the matter. My paranoia may get the best of me, but, for now, I figure better safe than sorry. I fully understand that there are scores of applicants who have never gotten into any sort of legal trouble and you all have my commendation and admiration for that. I take full responsibility for my past actions and if they end up sinking me, well, so be it. However, I am going to do everything I can to use my past to show that I have turned my life around and have been on the right track for the last seven years after a lot of hardship. It goes without being said that anyone in any situation (medical school or not) would prefer to hire/admit someone without a record, but, I have been told that medical schools appreciate applicants who stand out from the crowd and have overcome obstacles to get there.

I have contacted the moderator of the confidential board and a few members have came forward to help me privately (thank you for everyone who offered private assistance,) if anyone has any knowledge of cases such as mine, I'd appreciate a PM.

And for the record: My past issues have had nothing to do with anything violent or ANY type of abuse of any sort. The only crimes I've ever committed were related to mind-altering substances.

Ux

 

[artsciencelove]

The only crimes I've ever committed were related to mind-altering substances.

These are the exact sorts of offenses that will keep you out of medical school.

 

[dmf2682]

I don't think anyone can make anything but a gut feeling reaction unless they've been on an adcom. You should ignore us premeds in the peanut gallery and see if anyone who's actually been on an adcom can answer 🙂

Good luck!

 

[ksn]

What did the adcom say?

IMO it's completely fine to have done drugs in the past. Just don't relapse ever, and think of it as a phase in your life.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

What did the adcom say?

IMO it's completely fine to have done drugs in the past. Just don't relapse ever, and think of it as a phase in your life.

unfortunately, your opinion doesn't matter. the problem is fields like anesthesiology where the physician is entire responsible for all drugs and basically has no check but honor. med schools will wonder if a person, given the unlimited supply of drugs, COULD relapse. Not would but could. And being that they are more likely to indulge, they are commonly held out of med schools.

 

[Ellipsis1104]

unfortunately, your opinion doesn't matter. the problem is fields like anesthesiology where the physician is entire responsible for all drugs and basically has no check but honor. med schools will wonder if a person, given the unlimited supply of drugs, COULD relapse. Not would but could. And being that they are more likely to indulge, they are commonly held out of med schools.

Physician drug abuse is a problem that's not talked about too much. UF is affiliated with a residential treatment facility where, at any given time, 50%+ of their patient population are doctors, nurses, or other healthcare providers. Addiction is a disease that walks freely among all social groups.