Crap! A Misdemeanor I didn't KNOW about...

[makeshift123]

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Back in 2007, I got a careless/reckless driving on private property ticket. Basically, I took a wrong turn and ended up on a baaad bad street (top 20 most dangerous neighborhoods in america) and wanted to turn around as quick as possible. I took my first left into what i thought was a driveway area, but apparently it was a really wide grassy sidewalk (it was pitch dark, didnt see grass) that cars werent allowed on. i continued on for a little bit trying to turn around. of course, being the bad part of town i was in, cops are everywhere, so i immediately got surrounded. cop wasnt budging and gave me the ticket.

i went to court, paid the fine, and went on with my life. I just NOW realized that reckless driving is a misdemeanor. i really didnt think it was cuz i've never been in trouble before and i thought it was just an ordinary traffic violation considering I didnt really think i was acting out the definition of reckless driving. i've already submitted my AMCAS and sent in 15+ secondaries.

one: theres no way to change amcas right?, so do I just e-mail every admissions office i applied to and update them on this?

two: i know the background checks arent done until u are accepted, so i'm gonna try get this expunged in the meantime before i tell the schools. assuming i cant, this isnt a huge dealbreaker for acceptances is it? i hope they understand i really didnt know it was a misdemeanor charge.

 

[Disinence2]

This doesn't sound like that big of a deal to me. It would probably be best to update the schools at some point just explaining the situation, emphasizing that you didn't know it was a misdemeanor . You could also just wait and see if any schools pick it up, then act shocked that it was on there. I might be more likely to go for that approach personally, especially if you think you can get it taken off in the near future. I don't think my school did background checks until when we entered the hospitals 3rd year...but who knows..

Either way this doesn't sound like a deal breaker to me.

 

[Web MD]

My hometown is in STL, #1 most dangerous city, so no sympathy for you haha

 

[makeshift123]

just consulted my county's clerk of courts website. Reckless and careless driving tickets cannot be expunged or sealed. If i take the approach of acting shocked that it was there, how likely will they rescind an offer? I know that the ticket itself will most likely not warrant a rescind, but will the principle that med schools will think "you idiot, how did you not know a reckless driving was a misdemeanor? you obviously just didnt want to disclose that information, so u lied to us, we're rescinding our offer." be likely? in that case, i really am an idiot because i really didnt know.

 

[tangerini]

I don't know how likely they'd be to rescind just because you didn't disclose this, but personally I wouldn't be able to stand the anxiety of having that worry hanging over me. I would not want to get accepted, celebrate, and then spend the summer before starting medical school looking for the email or letter that was going to take that away from me, even if it's not likely. Plus, on the off-chance that your school did rescind the summer before, it'd be too late to accept at another school and you'd be screwed. If a school is going to reject you for the misdemeanor, better that it happen during the application cycle, when you can still go somewhere else!

I would just send a short letter to each school explaining that you didn't realize it was a misdemeanor and giving a very brief explanation of what happened. The misdemeanor itself really doesn't seem like a dealbreaker to me, and if you send the letter before you get accepted it will be absolutely clear that there's no dishonesty issue.

It's lame that they gave you this ticket in the first place, btw, although I'm sure you'll be fine.

 

[rigel]

what tangerini said.

for professional schools its always better to disclose than to not. anyone can just wait it out and say "oh, if i get nailed ill just act shocked", and the legal issue in question isnt that big a deal anyhow. it takes more maturity to own up to your faillings, and my personal feeling is that it might even set you a little bit apart from the crowd.

and in any case, if you send a letter, you get to have direct interaction with the staff at the schools youve applied to, and some of those people can influence decision making. it's not just a way to demonstrate maturity and ethics, it also gets your name in front of people, and that might just make a difference.

but im an optimist.

 

[makeshift123]

does this letter sound good?

Dear Admissions Committee,

My name is XXXXX and I am applying for admission into the 2010 class. It has come to my attention that I neglected to disclose an important piece of information on my AMCAS application. In October of 2007, I was charged with a “careless and unnecessary driving on private property” citation, which is classified as a minor misdemeanor in my local county. I genuinely did not realize that this ticket was classified as a minor misdemeanor as a small fine was all that was needed to close the case. I thought it was a traffic violation, which is typically excluded when asked to list any convictions on secondaries and AMCAS. The details of the incident are as follows: I had taken a wrong turn into an infamously unsafe neighborhood and took my first left to turn around. It was late evening and the street lights were dim. I turned into a wide driveway that evidently was prohibited to vehicles and was only a pedestrian entrance to a private establishment. I drove further into the driveway to turn around, and received my citation for this action. The depressed sidewalk led me to believe that vehicles were allowed to enter. Since this ticket, I have been more aware of my surroundings and more cautious behind the wheel. I have not received any more traffic citations, or any citation at all, since this incident. I sincerely hope that you will still consider my application to its fullest degree. Thank you.

 

[calnation]

If you write a letter explaining the issue you might get a boost from being honest and responsible. Schools know you could just wait until after the acceptance and I'm sure they've had a lot of people do that before.

On the other hand, if you waited until after your acceptance, I really doubt a single reckless driving charge would cause them to rescind.

 

[calnation]

does this letter sound good?

Dear Admissions Committee,

My name is XXXXX and I am applying for admission into the 2010 class. It has come to my attention that I neglected to disclose an important piece of information on my AMCAS application. In October of 2007, I was charged with a “careless and unnecessary driving on private property” citation, which is classified as a minor misdemeanor in my local county. I genuinely did not realize that this ticket was classified as a minor misdemeanor as a small fine was all that was needed to close the case. I thought it was a traffic violation, which is typically excluded when asked to list any convictions on secondaries and AMCAS. The details of the incident are as follows: I had taken a wrong turn into an infamously unsafe neighborhood and took my first left to turn around. It was late evening and the street lights were dim. I turned into a wide driveway that evidently was prohibited to vehicles and was only a pedestrian entrance to a private establishment. I drove further into the driveway to turn around, and received my citation for this action. The depressed sidewalk led me to believe that vehicles were allowed to enter. Since this ticket, I have been more aware of my surroundings and more cautious behind the wheel. I have not received any more traffic citations, or any citation at all, since this incident. I sincerely hope that you will still consider my application to its fullest degree. Thank you.

👍

 

[Compass]

Put your AMCAS ID in the letter as well. Will save them some grief.

 

[dru2002]

does this letter sound good?

Dear Admissions Committee,

My name is XXXXX and I am applying for admission into the 2010 class. It has come to my attention that I neglected to disclose an important piece of information on my AMCAS application. In October of 2007, I was charged with a “careless and unnecessary driving on private property” citation, which is classified as a minor misdemeanor in my local county. I genuinely did not realize that this ticket was classified as a minor misdemeanor as a small fine was all that was needed to close the case. I thought it was a traffic violation, which is typically excluded when asked to list any convictions on secondaries and AMCAS. The details of the incident are as follows: I had taken a wrong turn into an infamously unsafe neighborhood and took my first left to turn around. It was late evening and the street lights were dim. I turned into a wide driveway that evidently was prohibited to vehicles and was only a pedestrian entrance to a private establishment. I drove further into the driveway to turn around, and received my citation for this action. The depressed sidewalk led me to believe that vehicles were allowed to enter. Since this ticket, I have been more aware of my surroundings and more cautious behind the wheel. I have not received any more traffic citations, or any citation at all, since this incident. I sincerely hope that you will still consider my application to its fullest degree. Thank you.

Probably won't matter but a comma after Dear Admissions Committee signifies you have a prior personal relationship a colon is generally used when you don't have that relationship. Just nit-picky formalities. I'm sure they don't care either way. Otherwise looks great.

 

[Compass]

Probably won't matter but a comma after Dear Admissions Committee signifies you have a prior personal relationship a colon is generally used when you don't have that relationship. Just nit-picky formalities. I'm sure they don't care either way. Otherwise looks great.

I don't know what kind of English you took, but it probably geared you better for life than mine did. I always used "To whom it may concern:" when I don't have a target.

 

[MilkmanAl]

I live about half a mile from the 8th most dangerous neighborhood in the U.S. and about 3 miles from the 6th. In Little Rock, I'm about 5 miles from the 4th. Somehow, I have yet to find myself driving on any sidewalks.

 

[makeshift123]

hahaha actually, according to neighborhood scout . com, the area i was in is actually ranked #1 most dangerous for 2009. and i was driving a $50,000 car, alone, and i'm a pu**y. so there lol.

the reason the cops stopped me in the first place was because they thought the car was stolen (there were literally 8 cop cars there). but they still decided to go ahead issue the citation anyway

 

[MilkmanAl]

Yeah...they can't call in backup and then let you go free if there's actually something to nail you on. Bummer. 🙁

 

[RogueUnicorn]

bunch of y'all sissy americans and your "unsafe" neighborhoods!

 

[Web MD]

Whatever country you're from, you're going to get ripped apart if you mention it. For your sake I hope it's not france or canada

 

[TopSecret]

does this letter sound good?

Dear Admissions Committee,

My name is XXXXX and I am applying for admission into the 2010 class. It has come to my attention that I neglected to disclose an important piece of information on my AMCAS application. In October of 2007, I was charged with a “careless and unnecessary driving on private property” citation, which is classified as a minor misdemeanor in my local county. I genuinely did not realize that this ticket was classified as a minor misdemeanor as a small fine was all that was needed to close the case. I thought it was a traffic violation, which is typically excluded when asked to list any convictions on secondaries and AMCAS. The details of the incident are as follows: I had taken a wrong turn into an infamously unsafe neighborhood and took my first left to turn around. It was late evening and the street lights were dim. I turned into a wide driveway that evidently was prohibited to vehicles and was only a pedestrian entrance to a private establishment. I drove further into the driveway to turn around, and received my citation for this action. The depressed sidewalk led me to believe that vehicles were allowed to enter. Since this ticket, I have been more aware of my surroundings and more cautious behind the wheel. I have not received any more traffic citations, or any citation at all, since this incident. I sincerely hope that you will still consider my application to its fullest degree. Thank you.

Change "neglected" to "forgot."

You'll most likely be forgiven and then be remembered (and laughed at) as the applicant who can't drive. 🙄

 

[tangerini]

Change "neglected" to "forgot."

You'll most likely be forgiven and then be remembered (and laughed at) as the applicant who can't drive. 🙄

I actually don't think I'd change "neglected" to "forgot", because that implies that you knew about the misdemeanor but it slipped your mind or something, which isn't the case. You didn't know you had anything to disclose. I think the letter looks good. 👍

And yeah, I bet they'll forgive and chuckle. Maybe you can laugh about it with your interviewers in open-file interviews (only if they bring it up!)

 

[makeshift123]

Hey guys, sorry to bring up an old thread, but I had a quick question for you.

So I emailed my schools with that letter last Tuesday, and only about half of the schools replied so far saying that “this information has been added to my file.” Do you think I should call the schools that haven’t replied yet and see if they updated my file? Or should I email AMCAS and see if I can change my information since it’s a pretty big correction, and not adding an EC or something? Northwestern suggested I see if I can do the latter in their reply e-mail.
Thanks a lot!

 

[kia ora]

a misdemeanor is a criminal conviction. so, you pleaded guilty to this and somehow never realized you were pleading guilty to a crime? it sounds as if you never were represented by or even consulted with a lawyer during the process. the constitution of every state in the US provides for this. when you plead guilty to a crime, even a misdemeanor, the judge must obtain from you a waiver of your constitutional rights. typically, a judge will advise you of your rights, then get both verbal and WRITTEN waivers from you. I find it difficult to comprehend that the judge would not have done this in your case. what is troubling (and what may be troubling to admissions committees) is NOT that you were caught driving on someone's grass, but rather that you pleaded guilty to a crime apparently without realizing what you were doing. there is a huge difference between paying a fine for a traffic citation and pleading guilty to a traffic misdemeanor. your ignorance of the process shows immaturity, a lack of common sense and poor judgment. that said, it sounds as if you are doing the best you can to apprise the schools of your situation. I really do hope it all works out for you. and in the future, as a doctor and as a private citizen in a courtroom, please always make sure to read what you are signing!

 

[makeshift123]

umm.. i went to traffic court with about 120 other people, my name was called alphabetically, i went up to the front of the court, judge asked me what happened and i explained, then he asked if i wanted to go to trial or pay the fine and be on my way. i chose the fine (and 4 points), went to the cashiers office, paid, and left. judge didn't say i was a "criminal"; i just thought it was another traffic violation.

and further details on this issue wasnt really what i was looking for by bumping this thread. what happened, happened. i just wanted to know about calling the no-reply schools/emailing AMCAS.

 

[makeshift123]

and i was a measly 18 year old when it happened.

 

[DRIN]

Probably won't matter but a comma after Dear Admissions Committee signifies you have a prior personal relationship a colon is generally used when you don't have that relationship. Just nit-picky formalities. I'm sure they don't care either way. Otherwise looks great.

Am I not supposed to cut the bread at a fancy restaurant either? 😛

 

[Compass]

Hey guys, sorry to bring up an old thread, but I had a quick question for you.

So I emailed my schools with that letter last Tuesday, and only about half of the schools replied so far saying that “this information has been added to my file.” Do you think I should call the schools that haven’t replied yet and see if they updated my file? Or should I email AMCAS and see if I can change my information since it’s a pretty big correction, and not adding an EC or something? Northwestern suggested I see if I can do the latter in their reply e-mail.
Thanks a lot!

Don't nag the school. Call AMCAS.

 

[Sharka]

wow it's one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in the nation and the cops gun for a rich kid. that's some luck.