Conduct Violation: undergrad

[mac1246]

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I know on the AMCAS they have a section where you have to say whether you had any kind of conduct violation in college. If you positively respond to this question, do med schools really care if the incident is rationalized and explained properly. Any input would be greatly appreciated. thanks! 😎

 

[diosa428]

According to my premed advisor, no it doesn't as long as it didn't occur repeatedly and it wasn't a serious violation (ie - you didn't assault someone). And you're upfront about it.

 

[DrBowtie]

Think of it this way, your stats and such have to be better than the top 200 or so interviewees for them to overlook the action and accept you over one of them. It definitely puts you at a disadvantage up against the many "perfect" candidates.

 

[cromagnon]

FYI...Some schools will require a letter from the dean of your undergrad school if you indicate you had a conduct violation. So make sure you are forthcoming when you fill out the "explanation" section on AMCAS.

Overall though I wouldn't worry too much about it. Just be brief, complete, and use the explanation section to succinctly explain how the incident was out of character for you.

 

[newhavenjake]

Think of it this way, your stats and such have to be better than the top 200 or so interviewees for them to overlook the action and accept you over one of them. It definitely puts you at a disadvantage up against the many "perfect" candidates.

i disagree. i think it makes you much more interesting than the cookie cutter goodie goodies as long as you explain it, took lessons, changed your ways, etc

 

[DrBowtie]

i disagree. i think it makes you much more interesting than the cookie cutter goodie goodies as long as you explain it, took lessons, changed your ways, etc

In no way can a violation be a plus over another applicant. If you took lesson and such then it might not be considered a hinderance.

 

[the other Dr.]

In no way can a violation be a plus over another applicant. If you took lesson and such then it might not be considered a hinderance.

Also disagree, one of my interviews commented on how it was nice to see that someone was normal (in reference to my MIP of alcohol from 19 years old). It also shows that you are really honest because many people wouldn't even bother to put down such a minor incident. Just my experience though, it could have been a disadvantage at other schools, but I got into several top programs and had to disclose my criminal past.

 

[nockamura]

Hahaha, I should go steal a car so I can put it in my EC's.

 

[JimiThing]

Think of it this way, your stats and such have to be better than the top 200 or so interviewees for them to overlook the action and accept you over one of them. It definitely puts you at a disadvantage up against the many "perfect" candidates.

Horse****.
First off, who the hell are you to say anything definitive about the application process. Are you a Dean, adcom memeber, med student interviewer? Doesn't sound like it. From your sig it sounds like your a book worm shut in who doesnt leave the dorm long enough to mar your perfect transcript, let alone even interact with "imperfect" candidates.
Secondly, are you really so immature to think that admissions is based so heavily on numbers that good stats can over come this perceived imperfection, and also fail to realize that the top 200 or so interviewers are going to have stats that span a large spectrum.
Thirdly, you dont think that adcoms realize that certain conduct violations boil down to nothing more than bad luck. Take an alcohol violation. It'd be safe to say that most normal pre-med students imbibe from time to time. A few will get caught. Many will not.

To the OP, be up front, and explain what you learned.
I have the same problem. Written up freshman year for an alchohol violation. I was hanging out with the other guys in the honors dorm playing video games, driking a few beers. Someone left to go to the bathroom and deadbolted the door open. The RA happened to be making rounds at this time, heard us yelling at the little hockey players on the screen, and walked in to tell us to tone it down a bit. He saw the beer and "had" to write us up (coincidentally, he was the kind of anal shut in pre-med I just accused Brett of being, and we were almost all premed). I had to go to an alcohol workshop, which turned out to be not nearly as fun as it sounded, and talk about the dangers of alcoholism. I actually got a little indignant about their characterizations of alcoholics, seeing as how my dad is one, and didnt learn anything. It's hard to take the "cold hard facts about alcoholism" brochure seriously when you've seen your dad's friend break his back stumbling backwards over the edge of your front porch just weeks after he almost died of a ruptured esophagus (from dry heaving). I'm not sure I'll put the righteous indiganation in the explaination though.

 

[yg1786]

FYI...Some schools will require a letter from the dean of your undergrad school if you indicate you had a conduct violation. So make sure you are forthcoming when you fill out the "explanation" section on AMCAS.

I have a similar situation and wanted to know whether the actual written sanction and any details will actually be given to a med school committee. I thought that under privacy acts that most colleges have that such information would be private. I dont mind telling schools that I was caught drinking, but I was pretty out of it and I would rather not have schools knowing all the embarrassing details.

thanks

 

[DrBowtie]

Horse****.
First off, who the hell are you to say anything definitive about the application process. Are you a Dean, adcom memeber, med student interviewer? Doesn't sound like it. From your sig it sounds like your a book worm shut in who doesnt leave the dorm long enough to mar your perfect transcript, let alone even interact with "imperfect" candidates.
Secondly, are you really so immature to think that admissions is based so heavily on numbers that good stats can over come this perceived imperfection, and also fail to realize that the top 200 or so interviewers are going to have stats that span a large spectrum.
Thirdly, you dont think that adcoms realize that certain conduct violations boil down to nothing more than bad luck. Take an alcohol violation. It'd be safe to say that most normal pre-med students imbibe from time to time. A few will get caught. Many will not.

To the OP, be up front, and explain what you learned.
I have the same problem. Written up freshman year for an alchohol violation. I was hanging out with the other guys in the honors dorm playing video games, driking a few beers. Someone left to go to the bathroom and deadbolted the door open. The RA happened to be making rounds at this time, heard us yelling at the little hockey players on the screen, and walked in to tell us to tone it down a bit. He saw the beer and "had" to write us up (coincidentally, he was the kind of anal shut in pre-med I just accused Brett of being, and we were almost all premed). I had to go to an alcohol workshop, which turned out to be not nearly as fun as it sounded, and talk about the dangers of alcoholism. I actually got a little indignant about their characterizations of alcoholics, seeing as how my dad is one, and didnt learn anything. It's hard to take the "cold hard facts about alcoholism" brochure seriously when you've seen your dad's friend break his back stumbling backwards over the edge of your front porch just weeks after he almost died of a ruptured esophagus (from dry heaving). I'm not sure I'll put the righteous indiganation in the explaination though.

Granted yes many get an alcohol violation. That is something that can be overlooked, but the OP never specified the severity of the issue. If it was a fighting/cheating/sexual assault, I find it hard to fathom an ad com would take a chance on the individual.

Secondly, just because I didn't put "IMO" doesn't mean it isn't just opinion. Anything said on these boards is purely opinion. I was just trying to give a perspective.

 

[Shredder]

lets all do some small conduct violations to help our apps. anyway, OP, come on and spill the beans, im intrigued, you can test your theory on us

 

[tank you]

i disagree. i think it makes you much more interesting than the cookie cutter goodie goodies as long as you explain it, took lessons, changed your ways, etc

thats the stupidest thing i have ever heard.

 

[45408]

i disagree. i think it makes you much more interesting than the cookie cutter goodie goodies as long as you explain it, took lessons, changed your ways, etc

Please. 🙄 I can have a good time and still avoid getting in trouble.

 

[skiracer90]

First, make sure the violation is on your record. If it isn't, there is no need to mention it. My roommate and I got 'written up' for having alcohol in our room during my Sophomore year but the resident director said it won't go on our record. However, I just made sure and called up the administration at my school while I was filling out the AMCAS to make sure that it really didn't show up on any of my documents. If the violation was minor, you may be in the clear.

 

[cromagnon]

I have a similar situation and wanted to know whether the actual written sanction and any details will actually be given to a med school committee. I thought that under privacy acts that most colleges have that such information would be private. I dont mind telling schools that I was caught drinking, but I was pretty out of it and I would rather not have schools knowing all the embarrassing details.

thanks

it depends on the school, both medical and undergrad, the letters I have seen were open ended and asked the deans office if you have any conduct violations or academic probations. The letter also asks for the detail of the incident. As an applicant, you fill out your name and SSN and then send this form letter and a addressed, stamped envelope to the deans office and they complete the letter and mail it directly to the admissions office. In my case my undergrad school just attached my conduct record to the letter, signed it and mailed it.

Best bet is to contact the office of records at your undergrad institution, request your conduct file and see what it says. You'll likely discover that it doesn't go into too much detail.

 

[diosa428]

Best bet is to contact the office of records at your undergrad institution, request your conduct file and see what it says. You'll likely discover that it doesn't go into too much detail.

Yeah, our house got in trouble for throwing a party and my letter from the dean's office just says I was "in violation of community standards"

Also - I've said this before, but my premed advisor said that they will put something in my panel letter along the lines of "XXX was found in violation of community standards for having too many attendees at an event held at her house. We are aware of this institutional action and still recommend her" - if there's someone writing you a letter, and you trust them to understand what happened, it may not be a bad idea to ask them to include such a statement.

 

[erahimy]

I agree with the person who stated above that this kind of stuff may actually put you at some sort of advantage in the admissions process, as crazy as that may sound. It does prove you are a "regular" teenage kid who gives in to regular temptations of the teenage life. It shows you you don't fit the cookie cutter mold student. You really think that's what med schools are after? The "perfect" citizen, for all 170 whatever slots that they can fill on their roster? Maybe a portion of their class, but you better believe they love to mix it up. Not that they want trouble makers in the class, but they want to create a totally diverse student body in every single aspect possible, and this is one of those areas: student conduct.

A professor of mine, who has served/may still serve as a member of the admissions committee at my school once told me, when they try to put together a medical school class, its like trying to put together a zoo. What do you want to do? Do you want 200 exhibits of lions, or do you want what a real zoo has, all different types of animals, maybe some are more popular or desired to have on display, but you still have an enormous variety nonetheless? Think about it.

Not that I'm advocating criminal behaviors in any way, but by no means should you think that the "perfect citizen"-hair parted off to one side-squeaky clean-mama's boy applicant is what they are always after. Maybe if that's your cup of tea, you can shoot for it (like Mr. my GPA's virginity cannot be taken by A- unless they are wearing a latex rubber), but you shouldn't be too concerned with disclosing this info if you don't fit that mold. And if you don't fit that mold of applicant, then I commend you. You are a real person! We all make mistakes! We all learn from them! Congratulations. In fact, I think its the people who haven't F'ed up once or twice in their life over something like this that are more of a liability to do so in the future.