Criminal Background

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.

butter

New Member
10+ Year Member
15+ Year Member
Joined
Jun 20, 2006
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Points
0
  1. Pre-Pharmacy
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
I have a misdemeanor under my belt for resisting and obstructing an officer. Walgreens just ended the hiring process with me when they checked my background and saw that, even though I was going to work in the photo lab.

Do colleges ever check backgrounds on applicants (I'm aiming for University of Michigan)? Also, what about when I'm graduating with my PharmD? Will I be able to get a license?

It doesn't seem like that big of a deal to me, especially if you hear the story... but apparently anything at all greater than a traffic violation is good enough reason to hire the other guy. I'm even having a hard time getting a part time job at gas stations or grocery stores because most job applications ask "Have you ever been convicted of a crime greater than a traffic violation?" Only a rare few ask "Have you ever been convicted of a felony?"

This is my first post on SDN, btw.
Thanks!
 
I don't know about the actual licensing process, but when you are applying to PharmD programs, you may want to consider telling them up-front about the misdemeanor because they will most likely check it. Some supplementals give you a space to explain the situation if you have any type of criminal history.

Good luck!
 
I have a misdemeanor under my belt for resisting and obstructing an officer. Walgreens just ended the hiring process with me when they checked my background and saw that, even though I was going to work in the photo lab.

Do colleges ever check backgrounds on applicants (I'm aiming for University of Michigan)? Also, what about when I'm graduating with my PharmD? Will I be able to get a license?

It doesn't seem like that big of a deal to me, especially if you hear the story... but apparently anything at all greater than a traffic violation is good enough reason to hire the other guy. I'm even having a hard time getting a part time job at gas stations or grocery stores because most job applications ask "Have you ever been convicted of a crime greater than a traffic violation?" Only a rare few ask "Have you ever been convicted of a felony?"

This is my first post on SDN, btw.
Thanks!

You need to get the misdemeanor expunged if possible. You do NOT want to deal with the implications of having a record. I had a scuffle w/ the law when I was 16, thankfully nothing ever became of it. Imagine you are an admissions committee - why would they want someone who has been involved with the law with there are hundreds who have not? Get it removed from your record such that you do not need to disclose it.

~above~
 
I know in some states, they won't license you as a pharmacist if you have a criminal record. I'm not sure the exact details (misdemeanor vs felony, etc) but basically if you can't get licensed, schools won't accept you cause it'd be a waste of time.

But I'm not too familiar with the laws so I'll leave it to somebody else to give the legal advice. Good luck with everything though.
 
I don't think a misdemeanor will automatically disqualifying you from becoming a pharmacist, but a felony will. Every supplemental application I have completed thus far, which has been 5, includes a place to indicate if you have ever been convicted of a crime and to explain. This includes University of Michigan.
 
I'm a P1 and we have to apply for an intern license from the state. They told us upfront, they will run a criminal background check on every student when you apply for the intern license. They didn't go into specific details about how they deal with students who do have criminal records. He just said, "So those of you with criminal records, y'all can't hide." I think they will look into the situation and see if it is serious enough to not allow you to obtain an intern license. So basically, if you can't get an intern license, you can't attend pharmacy school.
 
Top Bottom