Another background check question...sigh

[Fishtaco123]

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Any advice will be appreciated.

I don't want to get into the nitty gritty, but I recently found out (it is kind of a long story - I can elaborate if it helps) that I have a traffic violation (minor) conviction that is classified as a misdemeanor on my record. However, this conviction did NOT show up on my Certiphi criminal background check (I have been accepted to my top choice for medical school). I did not report this citation on my AMCAS application (it was an honest mistake as I had completely forgotten about this event; it occurred between 6 and 10 years ago and I honestly forgot all about it - ---- this is not a justifiable excuse, and I know that I am responsible for answering those questions accurately).

I am going to contact the medical school that I will (or hope to at this point) attend about this issue ASAP.

My questions are: Does anyone have any advice as to how I should address this issue? I plan to tell the truth; that this was an honest mistake that I am deeply sorry for. Also, is it probable that this will result in a withdrawal of my acceptance?

Thank you!

 

[JOHNBROCHILL]

Did you get in a fight with an uber driver?

 

[Fishtaco123]

Did you get in a fight with an uber driver?

You caught me (but without going into details...it was classified as a "paperwork violation")

 

[gyngyn]

Hurry up and contact them. You should be ok.

 

[Fishtaco123]

.

 

[NotaCop]

If its not on the background check then why would it matter? The school would never know. I've noticed that this site makes people really paranoid about stuff like this

RT

 

[almostmisdemeanor]

Let them know ASAP. Even if it doesn't show up on Certiphi, I've heard of cases where a VA that is affiliated with a school will find something on their own background check that didn't show up on Certiphi's. I had an issue that was actually a little worse than yours, and my misdemeanor showed up on Certiphi. I let my school know ahead of time about an issue that occurred like 4 years ago that I hadn't realized was a misdemeanor and that it would probably show up on the background check. They got back to me and said it was okay.

I did a lot of searching around the forum and found cases similar to yours. Most often it was people who didn't realize their speeding charge was a misdemeanor. I think you'll be fine, just let them know as soon as you can!

 

[Glandzburg]

If its not on the background check then why would it matter? The school would never know. I've noticed that this site makes people really paranoid about stuff like this

Some schools do additional background checks beyond Certiphi, especially those affiliated with VA hospitals. If it shows up later on and they find out, you'll be in some hot water because it looks like you lied about it. Why would anyone want some silly little misdemeanor hanging over their head? It's best to just give them a heads up so there are no surprises later on.

 

[Marine to MD]

I had a very similar situation. I contacted my dean of admissions immediately and it was a non-issue.

 

[Fishtaco123]

Thank you all for the advice. I sent an email detailing why the discrepancy occurred and took responsibility for my mistake. For the record, I plan on updating this thread when I hear anything back in case there is a fellow SDNer in a similar predicament.

I had a very similar situation. I contacted my dean of admissions immediately and it was a non-issue.

Good to know. Thank you.

 

[gyngyn]

If its not on the background check then why would it matter? The school would never know. I've noticed that this site makes people really paranoid about stuff like this

If the school asked about charges (or any misdemeanors) and find out about it on any background check, a minor traffic problem will turn into a major veracity problem.