Background check question

[psilovethomas]

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I've been looking through old threads to find some answers to my questions, but can't really find anything.

I am asking this question for a friend who has been accepted to medical school.

AMCAS application specifically states to list any convictions. I know some schools ask for charges on secondaries, but the two schools my friend was accepted to do not require charges to be reported.

My friend has a few dismissed charges from a few years ago (happened after the person was 18). This person did not report any of the charges to any of the schools. The charges do appear on the background check that was reported to school, but the record indicates that they were all dismissed.

I guess my friend is looking for a peace of mind. I think he should contact the school and talk to them about the charges, or at least write a letter to admissions about the charges. He thinks he should keep quiet- as directed by his lawyer. He looked at the school's information on background checks, in which it says they will review all convictions, but said nothing about dismissed charges. What is the best plan of action at this point- talk to the school, or keep quiet about the dismissed charges?

Thank you for any help!

 

[Snowdon48]

I've been looking through old threads to find some answers to my questions, but can't really find anything.

I am asking this question for a friend who has been accepted to medical school.

AMCAS application specifically states to list any convictions. I know some schools ask for charges on secondaries, but the two schools my friend was accepted to do not require charges to be reported.

My friend has a few dismissed charges from a few years ago (happened after the person was 18). This person did not report any of the charges to any of the schools. The charges do appear on the background check that was reported to school, but the record indicates that they were all dismissed.

I guess my friend is looking for a peace of mind. I think he should contact the school and talk to them about the charges, or at least write a letter to admissions about the charges. He thinks he should keep quiet- as directed by his lawyer. He looked at the school's information on background checks, in which it says they will review all convictions, but said nothing about dismissed charges. What is the best plan of action at this point- talk to the school, or keep quiet about the dismissed charges?

Thank you for any help!

I had a dismissed underage charge that didn't even bounce on my background check and I was still advised by the asst. dean of admissions at my med school to report it. Dismissed charges won't hurt you if you report them. If you don't report them and they show up on the background check some schools might see it as an honesty issue. My school actually withdrew an acceptance last year for a student who claimed he had never had a traffic ticket and the school somehow figured out that he had. Crazy I know. I am sure not all schools are this harsh.

Imo...better safe than sorry. Your friend should report it.

 

[psilovethomas]

I had a dismissed underage charge that didn't even bounce on my background check and I was still advised by the asst. dean of admissions at my med school to report it. Dismissed charges won't hurt you if you report them. If you don't report them and they show up on the background check some schools might see it as an honesty issue. My school actually withdrew an acceptance last year for a student who claimed he had never had a traffic ticket and the school somehow figured out that he had. Crazy I know. I am sure not all schools are this harsh.

Imo...better safe than sorry. Your friend should report it.

Alright, thanks for your advice!

 

[eggs13]

I've been looking through old threads to find some answers to my questions, but can't really find anything.

I am asking this question for a friend who has been accepted to medical school.

AMCAS application specifically states to list any convictions. I know some schools ask for charges on secondaries, but the two schools my friend was accepted to do not require charges to be reported.

My friend has a few dismissed charges from a few years ago (happened after the person was 18). This person did not report any of the charges to any of the schools. The charges do appear on the background check that was reported to school, but the record indicates that they were all dismissed.

I guess my friend is looking for a peace of mind. I think he should contact the school and talk to them about the charges, or at least write a letter to admissions about the charges. He thinks he should keep quiet- as directed by his lawyer. He looked at the school's information on background checks, in which it says they will review all convictions, but said nothing about dismissed charges. What is the best plan of action at this point- talk to the school, or keep quiet about the dismissed charges?

Thank you for any help!

If he wasn't required by AMCAS or the secondaries to report them and he didn't report them, I don't see what the problem is?

 

[psilovethomas]

If he wasn't required by AMCAS or the secondaries to report them and he didn't report them, I don't see what the problem is?

Yes, I wish it was that transparent. But I've heard stories from others that schools scrutinize background checks for charges as well (and rightfully so, I believe). But, the charges were dismissed. So my friend and I don't know what to make of it and were just looking for advice/guidance.

 

[Sabate]

Yes, I wish it was that transparent. But I've heard stories from others that schools scrutinize background checks for charges as well (and rightfully so, I believe). But, the charges were dismissed. So my friend and I don't know what to make of it and were just looking for advice/guidance.

I'm not sure about the legality for school applications, but it is illegal to discriminate with job hiring over charges or arrests that have not led to convictions. There are plenty of situations where people are unfairly charged or arrested due to cops on a power trip. Being arrest or charged doesn't mean you were guilty of anything...

From what I remember of the application, it asks if you've ever been convicted of a crime, not arrested or charged. I'd have your friend go back over the application paperwork and see what they actually asked. If they don't ask, he doesn't need to explain it to them. If he's that concerned, he should contact them directly.

 

[sector9]

This is a non issue. The application specifically tells you what to disclose. Your friend filled out the application correctly. There's absolutely nothing to do.