Anyone Matched at APPIC Internship Site with Criminal History?

[missmatched]

On the APPIC Application, it asks the question, "Have you ever been convicted of an offense against the law other than a minor traffic violation? If 'Yes', please elaborate"

If needing to answer "Yes", Will most internship sites see this on my APPIC app and not even consider that application? Why would they choose an app with this disclosure when there are tons of other qualified applicants? Do you need to elaborate or can you just submit the minimal information?

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[GregK]

Hi,

Your approach to answering the question (providing minimal explanation) is NOT how I would approach it. I strongly suggest that you reach out to APPIC for consultation on this. You are welcome to contact me directly if you wish (512-410-0002).

Greg

 

[missmatched]

Hi,

Your approach to answering the question (providing minimal explanation) is NOT how I would approach it. I strongly suggest that you reach out to APPIC for consultation on this. You are welcome to contact me directly if you wish (512-410-0002).

Greg

It feels impossible to provide further details without coming off as minimizing, over-explaining, groveling, insincere, etc. Every time I read threads where people explain details, including not just what happened but why it happened, it feels like it could easily backfire in that it reads as though you're begging for forgiveness which can feel manipulative and off-putting (especially on paper rather than face-to-face, where tone and genuine affect are missing). Hence why I thought sticking to just the facts on the APPIC Application itself might be the preferred strategy. Good thought on reaching out to APPIC though. And thanks for leaving your contact.

 

[MCParent]

Petty theft is the worst one imo

I’d disagree. There’s no “worst one” in the list, the bad part is that you have three separate things that span 6 years. It’s going to be hard to explain that as three separate lapses in judgment.

But, I also know people who have matched despite criminal records. A few I know of, frankly I’m surprised they matched given what the offenses were. AFAIK those people followed the APPIC suggestions about handling it.

 

[WisNeuro]

I’d disagree. There’s no “worst one” in the list, the bad part is that you have three separate things that span 6 years. It’s going to be hard to explain that as three separate lapses in judgment.

But, I also know people who have matched despite criminal records. A few I know of, frankly I’m surprised they matched given what the offenses were. AFAIK those people followed the APPIC suggestions about handling it.

We pretty commonly interviewed people with one bad decision, such as one DUI or a minor criminal issue, if they had a pretty stellar application to make up for it. Multiple offenses over time was generally a no-go. We had a lot of applications for a very small number of slots, and usually matched pretty highly, so no real need to roll the dice.

 

[Sanman]

I’d disagree. There’s no “worst one” in the list, the bad part is that you have three separate things that span 6 years. It’s going to be hard to explain that as three separate lapses in judgment.

But, I also know people who have matched despite criminal records. A few I know of, frankly I’m surprised they matched given what the offenses were. AFAIK those people followed the APPIC suggestions about handling it.

Agreed on this. Hard not to judge this as a pattern of behavior over multiple years that speaks to character. You may want to look a the APPIC suggestions for this and consider how you would address questions of character.

 

[missmatched]

What about expunged records?

 

[WisNeuro]

Just remember that expunged records do still show up on most federal background checks, which VA employment requires.

 

[psycho1391]

It feels impossible to provide further details without coming off as minimizing, over-explaining, groveling, insincere, etc. Every time I read threads where people explain details, including not just what happened but why it happened, it feels like it could easily backfire in that it reads as though you're begging for forgiveness which can feel manipulative and off-putting (especially on paper rather than face-to-face, where tone and genuine affect are missing). Hence why I thought sticking to just the facts on the APPIC Application itself might be the preferred strategy. Good thought on reaching out to APPIC though. And thanks for leaving your contact.

That is Greg Keilin from APPIC who sends out all the info bits email. Good to follow his advice/reach out to him.

 

[tn15an]

I strongly echo taking up Greg on his offer to talk for guidance.

I also agree that the fact that it is multiple charges over many years is the biggest concern to me. I appreciate you not wanting to see like you are making excuses but if you don’t provide more in the application you may not make it to the point of an interview to explain more. Additionally a lot of VA interviews are highly structured and the interviewer might not be allowed to deviate from their list of questions to ask you to provide more context. Your application is your chance to explain best you can in your words.

If any of your practicum sites also have internships I’d strongly recommend considering applying to those. Being a known quantity from places you’ve already worked with may be the strongest thing you can do to overcome the problems from your legal history.