As the title says, I recently received a citation for going 9mph over the speed limit. Would I need to report the citation to every school I applied to? Do I need to report it to schools I have interviewed at?
@Goro @LizzyM
I am kinda freaking out. It's my first traffic violation in 4 years of driving...
4th year med student out of chicago matching IM this year speaking here.
You remind me of some of my good friends at school who can get super stressed about stuff. It sounds like you could use some reassurance.
Schools ask that specifically ask that question on an application you should answer it truthfully, but I'd suggest only to those schools. Why do I say that?
As someone who has been part of our own school's application process and prepare our graduate students for being on interviews. The initial application is only ever a screening tool. Do you meet the numbers metrics? Can you follow instructions? Are there any red flags in the personal statement, etc.
If I specifically asked in an application about a speeding ticket and you had one at the time and omitted that. I might not find out unless it comes up in the background check. But if it does and I did find out. It doesnt speak well to your character. You could argue it suggests you care more about looking good to get an interview rather than being truthful.
Personally, I wouldn't care. Plenty of people speed and 9mph isnt really something I'd raise an eyebrow at, especially if it's the first time. On the other hand, if it was 35mph over or had pretty consistent record of traffic violations. That's a much bigger deal and I would be concerned about that. Because your actions paint a picture that you're not learning and growing from your mistakes. I might not want to interview that candidate even if they're qualified until after I explore some other applicants first.
To further clarify, there are plenty of people with minor and infrequently major infractions to their record that get into medical school. I got a speeding ticket for going over 30mph on an empty expressway, at night, driving through a rural area when I was 18. And it never came up or was a problem. A colleague of mine has a personal friend that recieved a felony charge and still got into medical school. Because he used the space provided to explain what happened, and crucially, how he changed his life for the better after that.
That's really what an interview and the application is about. It's a really elaborate and expensive vibe check.
Every school is different and when they dont offer you an interview. I doubt itd have anything to do with that. And if it did, is that really the kind of program youd be happy in and want to be apart of? I dont care if you're the PD of Harvard medical school. If you're passing on a qualified applicant because they got a speeding minor speeding ticket. I get that there are prestigious programs and they can afford and need to be as selective as possible. But, at that point youd just be being nitpicky and a jerk. And I personally wouldnt want to learn anything from a program with that mindset anyway.
Take a deep breath. If it comes up in an interview, then it's just to test and see how you approach being honest, hold yourself accountable, and your ability to self reflect and improve. It's not an, "Ah Ha! Caught you, you criminal scum. Rejected! Away with you!" Otherwise, you are not required to disclose anything that would harm you like legal records or health conditions unless explicitly asked.
In fact, by the ADA they're not allowed to ask directly or disqualify an applicant based on your health conditions. For example let's say you have ADHD and need academic accommodation or are on adderall, or something like that. You dont have to tell them that. And according to my brother in law who works in HR for hiring. Sometimes that can happen if you put it in an application. And it's really easy to prove and get protected from discrimination after you're hired/accepted. But next to impossible to prove during that process.
So that's my advice to you or anyone with similar concerns that visits this thread. In general, for the example you gave and with the exceptions I mentioned. No, dont do that and it doesnt matter. So dont go out of your way to make it matter or hurt you. You can relax.
