Complicated IA history, please advise

[Dr_Jan_Itor]

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[mathnerd88]

So the story is this, I have filled out my AMCAS application and submitted. I am disclosing a complicated IA file. The 1300 characters in AMCAS was barely enough for me to even explain the circumstances of my file let alone the things I learned and so forth. I'm finding the 500 characters in the AACOMAS section impossible to work with.

Basically my IA's are as follows. I apologize I don't have the dates but i'll give a brief summary

At community college, I attended 3 IA hearings due to situations involving my suite and our neighbors or someone in our suite. In each of these cases I was found Not Responsible for any violations, however these hearings do appear in my record at CC as if I had been the recipient of disciplinary action.

Then, during one singular semester at my 4 year school, There were 5 instances. 3 where I was fined for damage to our common space in a 6 person suite (the school fines everyone in the suite without discerning blame when there is damage in common space). The last 2 are disorderly conduct which resulted from an argument with one of my suitemates and our mutual friend which we resolved on our own, however the RA down the hall from us had reported it and we were sent to a group meeting anyways.

So when I have a chance to explain all of this out, it doesn't seem so bad, but I fear that I will never be given the chance to do so because 500 characters cant even do much more than list dates and instances. Is there anything I can do to plead this case to any DO ADCOMS? I'm considering disclosing a short, but carefully written statement to each ADCOM contact email following my submission with the original IA letters enclosed as attachments.

Unfortunately, you have too many IA's. You're going to need a lot of years of reinvention for this to be overlooked. While this may be minor if it was just 1 or even 2, but you've had 8! It also depends on how long ago these IA's happened.

 

[ChrisMack390]

Topics like these remind me why I moved off campus the second I could.

 

[Dr_Jan_Itor]

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[coffee-doc]

I was afraid of that. It's just so devastating. Especially since 6 of these 8 are things which I had no part in whatsoever, but lived in a situation with others who had no regard for respecting the common areas or others, I have even considered getting my lawyer involved as it is nearly defamation at this point to hold these things in my name. I even requested several times to move out of my dorm, but my campus had a really annoying policy which made it nearly impossible to do so, and they were overbooked and wouldn't even move me to a new room. I know i'm supposed to say I grew and learned, etc. etc, but honestly by the time those "few years" go by, it would be more practical to just think of a different career. I've been an outstanding citizen other than this single semester of IA's, and for things that if had happened anywhere other than other the magnifying glass of Residence Life would have never amounted to anything at all. It's a disheartening situation to say the least

I personally think you should give it a shot and continue onward with the application cycle. SDN is just a bit over-critical sometimes. Make sure it is openly aware and that you have changed and distanced yourself. If you have shown exemplary academic abilities and altruism to your community, I think you'll be an excellent candidate. I would happily take someone who has made mistakes and learned over some ass-hat pretentious kid with a 3.7 / 515 MCAT that doesn't know what it feels like for life to sometimes go the wrong way. BUT i am not in admissions. Maybe if I open up my own school one day, I'll cater more specifically to non-trads and life-turn-arounder's

 

[coffee-doc]

If I were you, I would compile as many LOR's as possible saying you're a good person. Like someone from work, someone from research. Literally anyone you think you could write something. If the school only asks for X amount of letters, send twice that amount to dispel any qualms about you. Then I would compile a document for the phone numbers for every admissions department to every school. Ask politely for the admissions director, or at least the highest position you can get over the phone, and talk about your situation. Keep a note-card in front of you with your talking points to avoid fumbling because you want to sound as confident and convincing as possible. Tell them how it's a fickle situation where the blame is unfairly shifted, and that you've learned and taken plenty of steps since then. Mention that you're still passionate, and are curious about anything you can do to help alleviate a situation that occurred so many years ago.

 

[redhope]

So the story is this, I have filled out my AMCAS application and submitted. I am disclosing a complicated IA file. The 1300 characters in AMCAS was barely enough for me to even explain the circumstances of my file let alone the things I learned and so forth. I'm finding the 500 characters in the AACOMAS section impossible to work with.

Basically my IA's are as follows. I apologize I don't have the dates but i'll give a brief summary

At community college, I attended 3 IA hearings due to situations involving my suite and our neighbors or someone in our suite. In each of these cases I was found Not Responsible for any violations, however these hearings do appear in my record at CC as if I had been the recipient of disciplinary action.

Then, during one singular semester at my 4 year school, There were 5 instances. 3 where I was fined for damage to our common space in a 6 person suite (the school fines everyone in the suite without discerning blame when there is damage in common space). The last 2 are disorderly conduct which resulted from an argument with one of my suitemates and our mutual friend which we resolved on our own, however the RA down the hall from us had reported it and we were sent to a group meeting anyways.

So when I have a chance to explain all of this out, it doesn't seem so bad, but I fear that I will never be given the chance to do so because 500 characters cant even do much more than list dates and instances. Is there anything I can do to plead this case to any DO ADCOMS? I'm considering disclosing a short, but carefully written statement to each ADCOM contact email following my submission with the original IA letters enclosed as attachments.

Refrain from taking advice from Mathnerd88. He's displayed a propensity for perceiving situations in absolutes and believes activities that deviate from the status quo in the slightest should be ridiculed and held in contempt. He still manages to pull likes as much of his advice is very general and derived off of the information he's gathered (entirely opinion-based) from reading other posts on this board or parroting what others have said verbatim without realizing that no two situations are alike.

You have a ton of IA's that are essentially cluster f****ed into the same, relatively minor situation. I see no crimes committed against another person nor do I see anything that would be deemed an act of moral turpitude. Instead of trying to explain all of your issues in minute detail, talk about them as a whole generally and save the excruciating details for what you learned and how you plan on stifling any relapses from occurring.

 

[DrMikeP]

So the story is this, I have filled out my AMCAS application and submitted. I am disclosing a complicated IA file. The 1300 characters in AMCAS was barely enough for me to even explain the circumstances of my file let alone the things I learned and so forth. I'm finding the 500 characters in the AACOMAS section impossible to work with.

Basically my IA's are as follows. I apologize I don't have the dates but i'll give a brief summary

At community college, I attended 3 IA hearings due to situations involving my suite and our neighbors or someone in our suite. In each of these cases I was found Not Responsible for any violations, however these hearings do appear in my record at CC as if I had been the recipient of disciplinary action.

Then, during one singular semester at my 4 year school, There were 5 instances. 3 where I was fined for damage to our common space in a 6 person suite (the school fines everyone in the suite without discerning blame when there is damage in common space). The last 2 are disorderly conduct which resulted from an argument with one of my suitemates and our mutual friend which we resolved on our own, however the RA down the hall from us had reported it and we were sent to a group meeting anyways.

So when I have a chance to explain all of this out, it doesn't seem so bad, but I fear that I will never be given the chance to do so because 500 characters cant even do much more than list dates and instances. Is there anything I can do to plead this case to any DO ADCOMS? I'm considering disclosing a short, but carefully written statement to each ADCOM contact email following my submission with the original IA letters enclosed as attachments.

How long ago? What did you learn from these mistakes? What are your stats? (A 3.9/520 MCAT could get you further consideration vs a 3.1/500 would get you tossed immediately)

I know at my university (well recently former) you'd not have a shot given the huge number (especially at the level of it was placed in your record). A few minor offenses show youthful stupidity, 8 show a pattern of repeated bad judgment. even wrong place at wrong time repeatedly is poor judgment so own up to it and don't try to make any excuses!!! Often many universities will forgive an offense or two and after some sort of remediation expunge offenses, so it is interesting these permanently went in your record.

So why would a school pick you with 8 offenses over someone with similar stats with no offenses? What is so special about you to make them want you instead? You don't have to answer these here but you had better have an answer for the admissions committee IF you get lucky enough for an interview.

Since you've already applied there is no use in turning back now, so make the best of it and be ready to explain what happened during interviews, again taking full responsibility. You could offer your supporting information to the admissions office, but I wouldn't send it without asking first. If you don't get in consider the military and in 4-5yrs retake some core classes, mcat, and reapply.

Hope it works out for the best!

 

[mathnerd88]

Refrain from taking advice from Mathnerd88. He's displayed a propensity for perceiving situations in absolutes and believes activities that deviate from the status quo in the slightest should be ridiculed and held in contempt. He still manages to pull likes as much of his advice is very general and derived off of the information he's gathered (entirely opinion-based) from reading other posts on this board or parroting what others have said verbatim without realizing that no two situations are alike.

You have a ton of IA's that are essentially cluster f****ed into the same, relatively minor situation. I see no crimes committed against another person nor do I see anything that would be deemed an act of moral turpitude. Instead of trying to explain all of your issues in minute detail, talk about them as a whole generally and save the excruciating details for what you learned and how you plan on stifling any relapses from occurring.

How about ask @Goro what he thinks.

Perhaps you're right, and it could be just 'in the wrong place at the wrong time scenario.' IMO, 8 of them is on the high side.

Also, know that there are more applicants than seats who don't have even one IA....so take everyone's advice how you want. Of course there are exceptions, but again, IMO, having 8 minor ones may be a red flag. You're going to have to prove to adcoms why they should choose you over someone else who has 0 IA's.

 

[Goro]

I am also concerned about the number, as opposed tot he content of the incidents. When I see so many IAs, my first thought is always "did this person even learn anything from this?"

I don't understand how, if OP was fount not responsible, that s/he could be considered to have received a disciplinary action. There's a difference between being charged with something, and being convicted.

The disorderly conduct charges (note plural) are the most concerning. The fact that you made nice-nice with your room mate is actually irrelevant; you got charged for it.

Sometimes one has to apply with that app one has, warts and all, and see how the cycle shakes out. You'll have your chance to explain and maybe a sympathetic interviewer will indeed think "wrong place, wrong time", and hopefully NOT think "Kid sure has repeated bad luck. Why is that???"

How about ask @Goro what he thinks.

Perhaps you're right, and it could be just 'in the wrong place at the wrong time.' IMO, 8 of them is on the high side.

Also, know that there are more applicants than seats who don't have even one IA....so take everyone's advice how you want. Of course there are exceptions, but again, IMO, having 8 minor ones may be a red flag. You're going to have to prove to adcoms why they should choose you over someone else who has 0 IA's.

 

[Dr_Jan_Itor]

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[DrMikeP]

@Goro & @DrMikeP
I had a 39 MCAT and an overall 3.2 undergrad GPA, 3.2 also for STEM classes. Post-bac, I have completed 2 semesters (24 credits) 3.6GPA in Biomedical Science M.Sc. Lots of extracurricular, mostly in sports, some volunteering on the side. lots of clinical hours as a scribe and EMT.

Specifically, 3 of these incidences are times where I was asked to attend a meeting, but was found not responsible for any violations, and obviously those are easy to explain away since it was simply a formality and I was found by the IA committee to simply be a bystander to those events (its annoying that those meetings show up in the registrar/deans files as "disciplinary holds" however. I would think it more prudent to have a student found innocent of charges to have those records totally expunged.)

Next, I moved to a 4 year school. Was placed in a suite of 5 other juniors on a floor that was members of the Rugby team (my suite), the lax team, across the hall that hated each other, and within my suite one person who caused a lot of trouble and was later expelled. 3 instances I was lumped into damage caused to common areas along with everyone I live with. one was an accidental damage I caused myself in the campus parking lot to a tree when I was horsing around with a friend, to which I came forward myself and paid a fine. Last was the public argument (verbal) which I had with a friend and our guest.

so, I agree that I am concerned only with the number of infractions I have. I also have a large paper trail in my own files noting that I requested to be moved out of that suite several times and was denied citing the fact that the campus had reached maximum capacity in the dorms and couldn't move students freely (in fact they were overbooked with many forced triples in rooms designed for two students). While I owe it partially to my lack of maturity in not having greater situational awareness, and I have learned from that and at the end of that year I threatened to call a lawyer (bluff, but it worked) if the campus did not allow me to move to my own nearby apartment with hand picked friends, since they had a compulsory on campus or commuting from home policy for "non-mature" students under 24.

If given the chance to say all of this in an interview (I would practice and make it a more concise/eloquent dialoge) I think some people may give me a chance and see that I'm a good person who was put into a really S!@# situation. Or some will just see it as a big confabulation and kick me out. Either way I just want a shot and it looks like I might not get one.

Sorry for the lengthy response :x

EDIT: the three IA's I was found 'not responsible' for occurred in community college, spring 2011, spring 2012.
The other 5 occurred spring 2013, first year at [Four year college], graduated in 2015 "in good standing with the campus life and leadership office" as the dean of that office put it when I met with him to discuss my file.

also, as soon as I moved off campus, I have had a completely spotless record.

Your getting a shot will weigh heavily on your PS! One thing in your explanation I didn't hear that adcoms will be looking for is what you learned and how you have grown from it.

Like I said I would offer the schools further explanation/doc if they wanted it. Your MCAT is great but older but your gpa sucks for MD and the pattern could suggest someone who is smart but goofs around, is easy influenced and maybe a bit of a hot head (not good traits for a physician). Hopefully you have an upward gpa trend and you can then write some of it off to youthful stupidity and being involved the wrong crowd, which you realized and fixed when you saw the pattern repeating itself. You might get a shot at DO but your MCAT might be expired at some depending on when you took it.

One thing for certain is if you don't apply then you have absolutely no chance. So I'd apply broadly to DO and to state MD and see what happens. If you don't get in and want it badly enough then go the military route and keep your nose clean and after a few retakes to bump your sgpa and new mcat apply again as a reinvention.

Good luck

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[Goro]

Agree 1000%

Your getting a shot will weigh heavily on your PS! One thing in your explanation I didn't hear that adcoms will be looking for is what you learned and how you have grown from it.

Like I said I would offer the schools further explanation/doc if they wanted it. Your MCAT is great but older but your gpa sucks for MD and the pattern could suggest someone who is smart but goofs around, is easy influenced and maybe a bit of a hot head (not good traits for a physician). Hopefully you have an upward gpa trend and you can then write some of it off to youthful stupidity and being involved the wrong crowd, which you realized and fixed when you saw the pattern repeating itself. You might get a shot at DO but your MCAT might be expired at some depending on when you took it.

One thing for certain is if you don't apply then you have absolutely no chance. So I'd apply broadly to DO and to state MD and see what happens. If you don't get in and want it badly enough then go the military route and keep your nose clean and after a few retakes to bump your sgpa and new mcat apply again as a reinvention.

Good luck

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk