Criminal Background Peace of Mind

[ForrestGump]

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Hey everyone,

I'm new to SDN and am a Junior pre-medical applicant in Va. I had a public intoxication charge two years ago when I was a naive Freshman, and had an expungement one year ago (the charge was originally dismissed w/ no conviction).

Is this going to be a deal breaker for DO schools?
I know that I can say I was never convicted on aacomas, but do I have to say I was arrested if asked on the secondaries despite my expungement?

Thanks everyone, I appreciate any input.

 

[FutureDrB]

Hey everyone,

I'm new to SDN and am a Junior pre-medical applicant in Va. I had a public intoxication charge two years ago when I was a naive Freshman, and had an expungement one year ago (the charge was originally dismissed w/ no conviction).

Is this going to be a deal breaker for DO schools?
I know that I can say I was never convicted on aacomas, but do I have to say I was arrested if asked on the secondaries despite my expungement?

Thanks everyone, I appreciate any input.

Although sometimes documents specify that if charges were expunged you aren't required to "check yes" to an arrest, it's better to be safe than sorry.

Even once you get by with the school, I assure you the medical board will still see it. The last thing you want to do is appear untruthful.

As someone with a criminal history too, I have researched this to death. Don't think because it was expunged or even pardon and expunged that there is no record of it. There is a "public safety" law, at least here in Texas, that requires anyone who works in a school, hospital or facility which provides "care" to the public must disclose every arrest, even if it was pardoned, expunged, etc.

 

[baxt1412]

You'll do fine. Grow from it, and you'll most certainly have to answer to it in secondaries or interviews

 

[GreyF0X]

I don't think a P.I. is a deal breaker, unless you have multiple misdemeanors or a felony then it might be difficult for you. Show the schools that you have matured and have been active in community service, you just need to let the adcoms know that the you of before is not the you of the present.

I know of a guy that was caught with an ounce of marijuana, he is now in an MD school. Sure he may be a pot head but he is smart as hell. Another one person i know was charged with a P.I. as well, he is now done with MD school and scored a 260 on his step 1. We all make mistakes, its how we bounce back and learn from them that counts.

 

[cliquesh]

You will be fine. Just be honest. It's not a deal breaker by any means.

 

[cabinbuilder]

Remember that being a doctor is about trust. You are touching someone kids, a mentally disabled person, a quadraplegic, an elderly woman. It's also about having your paperwork in order, insurance companies, workman's comp, etc. It's about documentation. The background check is to make sure you are not a pedophile, an abuser with a record, a convicteed white collar felon, a rapist, a murderer, you pay your taxes, your child support, etc. Doctor's drink alcohol, many do drugs, dole out narcotics, etc. Some intoxication charge in public is really insignificant.

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

Hey everyone,

I'm new to SDN and am a Junior pre-medical applicant in Va. I had a public intoxication charge two years ago when I was a naive Freshman, and had an expungement one year ago (the charge was originally dismissed w/ no conviction).

Is this going to be a deal breaker for DO schools?
I know that I can say I was never convicted on aacomas, but do I have to say I was arrested if asked on the secondaries despite my expungement?

Thanks everyone, I appreciate any input.

There are many examples out there of people that have gotten in with similar records. Most people are reasonable and realize freshmen have fun. After all, we've all been freshmen too. I had drunken nights too and all that separates you and me is that I got lucky not to have cops around. That said, you only need to disclose if the secondary asks about expunged records. I think you'll be fine.

 

[DrEnderW]

Definitely not a deal breaker.

Good luck

 

[Dreamstoo]

Hey everyone,

I'm new to SDN and am a Junior pre-medical applicant in Va. I had a public intoxication charge two years ago when I was a naive Freshman, and had an expungement one year ago (the charge was originally dismissed w/ no conviction).

Is this going to be a deal breaker for DO schools?
I know that I can say I was never convicted on aacomas, but do I have to say I was arrested if asked on the secondaries despite my expungement?

Thanks everyone, I appreciate any input.

Yes, it should be OK. Shouldn't be a big deal. Had friends who had a similar issue. One of them attended a top 5 law school after graduation so I assume it isn't that big of a deal.