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Look, I know that this has been discussed many times on here. But after reading through the threads on here on Certiphi, I still don't have a clear idea of how this whole process works.
OK - so it seems to be the case that the Certiphi background check that medical schools order is searching primarily for misdemeanors and felonies, and is searching through state, federal, and county databases. The medical schools are not requesting Certiphi to search DMV's for traffic violations, or to verify employment history.
OK. So lets say that I'm in the same boat as many, many, SDN users. No misdemeanors, no felonies, a few old speeding/traffic tickets. Ticky tack stuff. When asked on AMCAS, and on secondaries, if I have a criminal background, misdemeanors or felonies, I put no. Never been to court, never had a conviction. I play life safe, like most of you pre-meds out there
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In the vast majority of states, if not all, a speeding ticket is a NOT a misdemeanor. It is a traffic violation, payable by fine, no court appearance required. In general, DUI, DWI, and reckless driving are criminal misdemeanors with mandatory court appearances, criminal records, and possible jail time.
So WHY are a number of SDN posters, over the years, saying that some of their speeding violations are coming up as misdemeanors on the certiphi CBC?? Is it the case that in some states, a traffic violation is a flat out criminal misdemeanor, creating a criminal record - no traffic violation category?? A simple speeding ticket (i.e. 20 mph over) really only becomes criminal if you don't pay the fine, exceed your states points max, plead not guilty (maybe?), or were going say 40mph over the posted speed limit (which can be considered misdemeanor reckless driving).
I do not mean to mean to throw Certiphi under the buss at all. I do not know if they messed something up, if some states have overly harsh laws, or if some SDN members incorrectly explained their predicaments. I'm not pointing any fingers, just trying to figure this out.
Obviously, this whole thing can put any premed in a big pickle. If a speeding violation comes over as a "misdemeanor crime", now the premed has to explain to the school why they listed no crimes in the first place. Also, this sort of classification can, potentially, make the med school say "why is this speeding ticket on here as a mis, was it actually reckless driving or 40mph over?"
I looked at the one ticket I could find, and the misdemeanor box is not checked. But at this point, there is enough confusion that I'm worried anyway.
Either way, is it the case that medical schools do not start initiating CBC's for accepted applicants until January? Thanks in advance to whoever posts up some advice
OK - so it seems to be the case that the Certiphi background check that medical schools order is searching primarily for misdemeanors and felonies, and is searching through state, federal, and county databases. The medical schools are not requesting Certiphi to search DMV's for traffic violations, or to verify employment history.
OK. So lets say that I'm in the same boat as many, many, SDN users. No misdemeanors, no felonies, a few old speeding/traffic tickets. Ticky tack stuff. When asked on AMCAS, and on secondaries, if I have a criminal background, misdemeanors or felonies, I put no. Never been to court, never had a conviction. I play life safe, like most of you pre-meds out there
.In the vast majority of states, if not all, a speeding ticket is a NOT a misdemeanor. It is a traffic violation, payable by fine, no court appearance required. In general, DUI, DWI, and reckless driving are criminal misdemeanors with mandatory court appearances, criminal records, and possible jail time.
So WHY are a number of SDN posters, over the years, saying that some of their speeding violations are coming up as misdemeanors on the certiphi CBC?? Is it the case that in some states, a traffic violation is a flat out criminal misdemeanor, creating a criminal record - no traffic violation category?? A simple speeding ticket (i.e. 20 mph over) really only becomes criminal if you don't pay the fine, exceed your states points max, plead not guilty (maybe?), or were going say 40mph over the posted speed limit (which can be considered misdemeanor reckless driving).
I do not mean to mean to throw Certiphi under the buss at all. I do not know if they messed something up, if some states have overly harsh laws, or if some SDN members incorrectly explained their predicaments. I'm not pointing any fingers, just trying to figure this out.
Obviously, this whole thing can put any premed in a big pickle. If a speeding violation comes over as a "misdemeanor crime", now the premed has to explain to the school why they listed no crimes in the first place. Also, this sort of classification can, potentially, make the med school say "why is this speeding ticket on here as a mis, was it actually reckless driving or 40mph over?"
I looked at the one ticket I could find, and the misdemeanor box is not checked. But at this point, there is enough confusion that I'm worried anyway.
Either way, is it the case that medical schools do not start initiating CBC's for accepted applicants until January? Thanks in advance to whoever posts up some advice
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