Background Check Question....

[droogdoc]

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This is probably more for current students but I am going through one now for a new job and it seems to be much more than just a criminal check. I have to now fax copies of W-2's for proof of income to a particular place and documentation showing starting-end dates.

What kind of check is it for med school? I thought it was just criminal, or is it like this one where you have to list education history, employment history, etc? I've done these before and I never had to put this much info in. The job isnt even that big a deal!!!

 

[Mohammed1989]

This is probably more for current students but I am going through one now for a new job and it seems to be much more than just a criminal check. I have to now fax copies of W-2's for proof of income to a particular place and documentation showing starting-end dates.

What kind of check is it for med school? I thought it was just criminal, or is it like this one where you have to list education history, employment history, etc? I've done these before and I never had to put this much info in. The job isnt even that big a deal!!!

Wow what kind of job are you applying for?? I remember for my job I had to go through a background check through the FBI and my fingerprints were done through the CIA lol no joke. All I applied was for a job at a hospital as a pharm tech. Of course I got it because I was clean.

Some jobs want to make sure you are a good candidate for that particular position. Just hope your job doesn't do yearly checks on you like mine does.

Good luck

 

[droogdoc]

Wow what kind of job are you applying for?? I remember for my job I had to go through a background check through the FBI and my fingerprints were done through the CIA lol no joke. All I applied was for a job at a hospital as a pharm tech. Of course I got it because I was clean.

Some jobs want to make sure you are a good candidate for that particular position. Just hope your job doesn't do yearly checks on you like mine does.

Good luck

It's at a bank. I've worked at one before and this is a little excessive, but the position is supervisory. I do have to give fingerprints at my orientation.

Anyway, I got my question answered. It seems for med school it is pretty much only criminal. Glad I dont have to worry about that!

 

[ArsenalEPL4Life]

I though medical schools only checked for felonies and misdemeanors? Am I wrong on this?

 

[Mohammed1989]

I though medical schools only checked for felonies and misdemeanors? Am I wrong on this?

That's what I thought.

 

[cliquesh]

All schools require a criminal background check. Some schools use internet background check services, while other schools use the FBI. Both types will list arrests (even if you were not convicted), convictions, and punishments. However, in addition to the criminal background check, some schools, like Georgetown, require you to submit a credit check. If you are accepted to the school and fail the credit check, you will offten be put you on deferred enrollment for one year while you straighten out your credit. I don't know of many schools that check your credit, and I don't know if any osteopathic schools do. Also, this isn't really part of the background check, but the school has the right to verify any award/employment/activitiy you list on your primary/secondary application.

 

[chman]

All schools require a criminal background check. Some schools use internet background check services, while other schools use the FBI. Both types will list arrests (even if you were not convicted), convictions, and punishments. However, in addition to the criminal background check, some schools, like Georgetown, require you to submit a credit check. If you are accepted to the school and fail the credit check, you will offten be put you on deferred enrollment for one year while you straighten out your credit. I don't know of many schools that check your credit, and I don't know if any osteopathic schools do. Also, this isn't really part of the background check, but the school has the right to verify any award/employment/activitiy you list on your primary/secondary application.

I'm pretty sure schools are only interested in convictions, not just arrests. But I may be wrong.

 

[JaggerPlate]

I'm pretty sure schools are only interested in convictions, not just arrests. But I may be wrong.

Everything shows up (background checks can literally find anything), it's up to the schools what they care about. If they only asked about convictions ... it's most likely that they aren't interested in an arrest unless it led to a conviction. Best bet - be honest with everything.

 

[swamprat]

Yeah that seems unfair. There is a reason we have a court system, police aren't the judges. I am sure people get arrested and get acquitted which would mean they shouldn't have a record. Now if you got arrested and convicted that's a different story... but then I guess you would have a misdemeanor/felony on your record.

 

[HoboCommander]

What if you got suspended one time in elementary school for fighting?

 

[PunkmedGirl]

What if you got suspended one time in elementary school for fighting?

😕

 

[CardioPlus]

What if you got suspended one time in elementary school for fighting?

haha I doubt you'd have to worry about putting that down.. because exactly how would they find that out?

 

[DocHomer]

I think it's a standard background check. It will probably involve a search of criminal history and public records (e.g. lawsuit, etc.). For other stuff, I think it depends on the school.

 

[JaggerPlate]

What if you got suspended one time in elementary school for fighting?

Ouch. I'd start looking at the Caribbean right now.

 

[JaggerPlate]

Yeah that seems unfair. There is a reason we have a court system, police aren't the judges. I am sure people get arrested and get acquitted which would mean they shouldn't have a record. Now if you got arrested and convicted that's a different story... but then I guess you would have a misdemeanor/felony on your record.

Completely agree. I've never understood asking 'have you ever been charged with anything.' Isn't it innocent until proven guilty??? Convictions, that's fine - but the other seems odd to me. Like I said though, 99% of people applying to medical school have nothing to hide, so don't.

 

[Desperate]

My university told me the even my school record which shows an alcohol violation will be released to medical schools when they do the background check.

 

[DocHomer]

I think it's pretty much limited to a criminal background check...see AAMC article.

http://www.aamc.org/newsroom/reporter/july08/background.htm

 

[droogdoc]

Completely agree. I've never understood asking 'have you ever been charged with anything.' Isn't it innocent until proven guilty??? Convictions, that's fine - but the other seems odd to me. Like I said though, 99% of people applying to medical school have nothing to hide, so don't.

I agree. There are some things that are frowned upon even if you are arrested for, but not charged. Domestic violence comes to mind. Under the Lautenberg Amendment and individual cannot own a firearm if arrested for domestic violence, even if charges are dropped later....?? If this is true, how would this show up on a check and what would a med school think, even if someone is not "charged".???

Someone please correct me if I am wrong on this please

 

[JaggerPlate]

My university told me the even my school record which shows an alcohol violation will be released to medical schools when they do the background check.

If the agency asks for your university records then yes. I doubt it, but almost every secondary (and primary I think) asked about incidents at school. I'm not sure if alcohol violations fall under this umbrella, but I'm inclined to believe that an alcohol incident at a college once isn't going to hurt you if you're honest about it.

I think you're fine though. If it does come up and you forgot to mention it, just be honest and say you didn't know you had to bring it up, explain the situation, etc.

 

[JaggerPlate]

I agree. There are some things that are frowned upon even if you are arrested for, but not charged. Domestic violence comes to mind. Under the Lautenberg Amendment and individual cannot own a firearm if arrested for domestic violence, even if charges are dropped later....?? If this is true, how would this show up on a check and what would a med school think, even if someone is not "charged".???

Someone please correct me if I am wrong on this please

I am unsure if that is true, but it would surprise me. I thought it was only convicted felons that had issues getting firearms, and I only learned this watching Dog the Bounty Hunter bc he was a convicted felon and now can't own/carry a weapon (yup, I watch Dog from time to time ... so what, brah??)

 

[RimpleDoc]

All schools require a criminal background check. Some schools use internet background check services, while other schools use the FBI. Both types will list arrests (even if you were not convicted), convictions, and punishments. However, in addition to the criminal background check, some schools, like Georgetown, require you to submit a credit check. If you are accepted to the school and fail the credit check, you will offten be put you on deferred enrollment for one year while you straighten out your credit. I don't know of many schools that check your credit, and I don't know if any osteopathic schools do. Also, this isn't really part of the background check, but the school has the right to verify any award/employment/activitiy you list on your primary/secondary application.

A credit check?? Are you serious? That would discriminate against disadvantaged students. I know many people who have credit problems because they barely make ends meet.

 

[DocHomer]

Why is everyone freaking out by a standard background check? It's standard practice when getting a job, working with children, etc. Unless you are a convicted felon, I don't think anyone has anything to worry about. Plus, I don't think you would be denied admission if you don't have the best credit score either.

 

[DocHomer]

Also, check out this link. It includes the policies of each school with respect to their screening procedures:

http://www.aacom.org/resources/bookstore/cib/Documents/cib2010/2010cib-p10-13.pdf

 

[droogdoc]

A credit check?? Are you serious? That would discriminate against disadvantaged students. I know many people who have credit problems because they barely make ends meet.

Being irresponsible and running up a credit card is one thing, not being able to pay your mortgage or a loan because you lost a job is another. Disadvantaged student or not, MANY people are having this issue right now.

I wonder why schools do the check? I can understand it being a responsibility or character issue or something. Schools arent taking out the student loans so what do they care. I would think your credit has to be pretty horrendous to be denied admission.

 

[DocHomer]

Being irresponsible and running up a credit card is one thing, not being able to pay your mortgage or a loan because you lost a job is another. Disadvantaged student or not, MANY people are having this issue right now.

I wonder why schools do the check? I can understand it being a responsibility or character issue or something. Schools arent taking out the student loans so what do they care. I would think your credit has to be pretty horrendous to be denied admission.

Some employers are now requiring this as well, and it goes back to what you were saying about personal responsibility. If there is some delinquency as a result of misfortune, then I don't think they would hold it against you.

 

[JaggerPlate]

I heard that curly haired guy who sings in the freecreditreport.com commercials used to be a medical school applicant, but was denied base on his credit score during the background check and is now reduced to drowning his sorrow via catchy commercials on TV.

 

[droogdoc]

Some employers are now requiring this as well, and it goes back to what you were saying about personal responsibility. If there is some delinquency as a result of misfortune, then I don't think they would hold it against you.

I agree. I can definitely understand an employer doing it. Financial problems affect a person's ability at work, and may even create problems in the workplace such as stealing, etc. Hey, I guess the same goes for med schools! Answered my own previous question....

 

[RimpleDoc]

I know a lot of hard working honest people who have lousy credit. I live in Southern California, our economy is in horrible shape, most people I know struggle to make ends meet. I think its ridiculous for a university to discriminate against someone because of their financial situation. I also know that medical students tend to mostly come from more affluent backgrounds, so judging the credit score of a student who had daddy pay for every thing to be the same as someone who works for a living is completely unfair. Last I heard is that Georgetown is largely a rich kid's school.