Background Check for Dental School Application

[The_Chininator]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

I will be applying to dental schools this summer and I was wondering if I could ask for some advice in regards to the Background Information of the application.
Unfortunately, I was issued a level 1 drug violation (most minor) and was issued just a warning for my actions. I know that I made a horrible mistake and the violation is now on my school record. However, my parents and the police were not notified and the issue was quickly resolved with a minor fine and verbal warning. Should I still mention this issue in the background information of my dental school application even though it won't show up on a traditional criminal background check?
Thank you so much for your assistance.

 

[ModifiedBass]

Who issued it? Call your school's conduct department or whoever deals with that stuff and find out if it's on your school record. If it is, then you have to disclose it. Doesn't sound like a big deal, I wouldn't sweat it too much.

 

[sjv]

Sounds minor, doesn't seem like you'd have to report it if it was from your school.



Q8. Are you currently under charge or have you ever been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor, other than minor traffic violations? (Yes/No)

If yes, enter a brief explanation of the charge(s), the date(s) of the charge(s), current status, and outcomes.

ADEA AADSAS requires you to report any convictions. You may also be required to report one or more of the following types of records directly to your designated dental school with details about the judgments or disciplines:

• Misdemeanor convictions
• Arrests for misdemeanors and felonies
• Adjudication withheld
• Nolo contendere
• Plea bargain

 

[predentalhopeful2015]

@The_Chininator you say the school took some sort of disciplinary action against you and although it has been removed it's on your school record, so I think you have to report it in Q4. At my school, all the pre-health people who are applying got an email from the advisor saying several people hadn't approached her about reporting their disciplinary actions/incidents on the application service like they were supposed to, and that those people better think again if they want to hide something that was on their record at some point even if it's not on there now as well as step up individually or their applications would be jeopardized. I don't know if it's like this at every school, but clearly honesty is taken seriously not only by a college's administration but also by AADSAS and dental schools, so I would be as honest as possible and explain the situation. It shouldn't keep you out of dental school, as long as you are honest, but if it is discovered that you were dishonest then it will probably keep you out of school.


@sjv, if it's his school that took action against him, it should definitely go under this question:

"Q4. Have you ever been found to have violated a school rule, policy or procedure, or an honor code; or have you otherwise been disqualified, put on probation, suspended, dismissed, expelled, or otherwise been subject to disciplinary action at any college/university in connection to misconduct?Yes/No

Please include any and all instances of misconduct, regardless of whether the school maintains a record of such misconduct or formal action, or whether it appears on your transcript.

If you answered "yes", enter an explanation here regarding each violation.Include (1) a brief description of the situation, (2) the specific charges(s) made, (3) the disciplinary action taken, and (4) a reflection on the experience and how the experience has affected your life.

Note :Answering "yes" will not automatically disqualify you for admission to a dental program.Many individuals learn from the past and emerge stronger as a result.Full disclosure enables programs to evaluate more effectively within the context of your credentials. Dental Schools may request verification from institutions previously attended that you were not involved in disciplinary actions. Failure to provide accurate information in response to this question may jeopardize your application to dental school.

Applicants often ask if they answer "yes" to this item, will their chances of admission be diminished?As the information above indicates, it may or it may not.However, failing to answer truthfully could certainly jeopardize your application."

 

[The_Chininator]

ok thanks guys I appreciate the help

 

[Glimmer1991]

Ask your school if they are going to disclose it. Simple as that.

 

[The_Chininator]

Do you guys think a minor weed violation on my school record will impede me from getting into dental school even though my gpa/DAT/extracurriculars are still good?

 

[Glimmer1991]

Do you guys think a minor weed violation on my school record will impede me from getting into dental school even though my gpa/DAT/extracurriculars are still good?

Have you asked your school if they're going to disclose it yet?

If they will disclose it, a lot of your success is going to hinge on how well you address the problem. You need to fully disclose your actions and show how you have matured as a person. You have to finesse this.

Also, how long ago did this incident occur? Time heals all, so they say, and it can help to have some distance between when the incident occurred and when you are applying.

 

[The_Chininator]

The incident occurred in February 2014 and I will be applying this summer. At that time the dean said that she recommends putting it on the app. However, she said that cuz it was my first violation of any sort of school policy, she will still back me up if and when the dental schools ask her about it and still give me a good recommendation saying how this shouldn't affect me being a successful dental student.

I am leaning towards disclosing it on my application because I know it's the right thing to do. I'm just sorta freaking out about it right now lol

 

[Roosevelt]

if you arnt convicted of a felony I don't think you have to disclose I could be wrong

 

[predentalhopeful2015]

if you arnt convicted of a felony I don't think you have to disclose I could be wrong

You have to disclose if your university ever took any sort of disciplinary action against you whether it was academic or disciplinary. There are two questions that specifically ask about this.

The incident occurred in February 2014 and I will be applying this summer. At that time the dean said that she recommends putting it on the app. However, she said that cuz it was my first violation of any sort of school policy, she will still back me up if and when the dental schools ask her about it and still give me a good recommendation saying how this shouldn't affect me being a successful dental student.

I am leaning towards disclosing it on my application because I know it's the right thing to do. I'm just sorta freaking out about it right now lol

If the deal recommends you put this on the app, then I would put it on the app. And if she's gonna give you a good recommendation then that's great! Are you getting a committee letter? If you are, I'd include that in there so your committee writer can explain it. That's how my school does it.

 

[caramel981]

im applying to dental school for the 2015 cycle. four years ago ( if im applying for 2015) when i was 19 just turned 19 i had a trespassing misdemeanor, it came up as 1 i think it was pretty minor and it was in a pool in my neighborhood. My case was dismissed. i was not arrested and its says something in latin on my file that i wasnt guilty??? so im just wondering i know for the application it only states if you have been convicted of felony or under charge currently i would say no but my question is would this charge show up on dental schools im applying too, by that background check certiphi???? I also want to know on secondary applications for howard uni and VCU umd do they ask about misdemeanor charges? and what are my chances of being accepted? would this hinder it?( btw my record is super clean no tickets even just that one thing from 2011)

 

[wjc]

caramel981,
Does your school have a legal services office? if so, I would ask them how to handle that question in your application. If your case was dismissed though, I imagine you are in good shape.

I know your pain. I've got to pay a $200 fine due to the fact that the owner of the bar and grill that I work at and another guy had a shot of alcohol out after closing time. I was managing, so my fault, according to the law. I will have to list this, which sucks, I had a squeaky clean record up until Nov. 2013…I am 38 and only have had one speeding ticket, which I think was fixed.

 

[caramel981]

caramel981,
Does your school have a legal services office? if so, I would ask them how to handle that question in your application. If your case was dismissed though, I imagine you are in good shape.

I know your pain. I've got to pay a $200 fine due to the fact that the owner of the bar and grill that I work at and another guy had a shot of alcohol out after closing time. I was managing, so my fault, according to the law. I will have to list this, which sucks, I had a squeaky clean record up until Nov. 2013…I am 38 and only have had one speeding ticket, which I think was fixed.

Hello,
thanks for responding!! I managed to get my charge expunged so i don't think i would have to enclose to any university legally about my past charge if im correct. It may take up to a few months for it to be completely removed. And i shouldnt be getting interview until mid september so i hope itll be gone by then!!

 

[caramel981]

I will be applying to dental schools this summer and I was wondering if I could ask for some advice in regards to the Background Information of the application.
Unfortunately, I was issued a level 1 drug violation (most minor) and was issued just a warning for my actions. I know that I made a horrible mistake and the violation is now on my school record. However, my parents and the police were not notified and the issue was quickly resolved with a minor fine and verbal warning. Should I still mention this issue in the background information of my dental school application even though it won't show up on a traditional criminal background check?
Thank you so much for your assistance.

I think theres a section about school misconduct. So if none of the questions apply to your situation it should not show up. But i am not 100% sure. I would call a university that you're applying to using a fake name and ask them about it.