Do traffic misdemeanors affect my chances into medical school?

[futureMD4294]

SO I live in Georgia, and last month I received a ticket for using the HOV or HOT lane on I-85 highway (oops). I looked up the violation, and turns out there is a one time $75 fee for 1st time offenders. The description states that HOV lane violations are considered a misdemeanor in the state of Georgia. This statement freaked me out! Will this affect my chances of admission? Do I have to report this traffic misdemeanor on my applications? Can I get it removed if I speak to a lawyer before my court date?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Dr. Anonymouss]

You're good man. If a traffic violation stopped someone from getting into medical school there wouldn't be any doctors.

 

[IsleyOfTheNorth]

You do have to report it, but don't sweat it.

 

[Moko]

You're fine

 

[deleted1011020]

If the speed you were going - your LM >10 then yes....

You're fine relax.

 

[Cornfed101]

I have 3 traffic misdemeanors and it hasn’t come up in any of my interviews

 

[CABG Patch Kid]

I’m pretty sure that your criminal record and your driving record are technically separate things, but schools will probably see it if they do the background check that includes your driving one. I’d just let the schools where you’ve been accepted know but you should be okay!!

 

[IsleyOfTheNorth]

I’m pretty sure that your criminal record and your driving record are technically separate things,

In some states that is not the case.

A driving misdemeanor is still a misdemeanor and must be reported. Having said that, schools won't care about something so trivial - just avoid any more going forward.

 

[futureMD4294]

Would it be wise to avoid including any information on the traffic misdemeanor? I mean I’m sure most students forget to include traffic violations anyways, right. I just don’t want to create a hurdle for myself if I don’t have to...

My idea is that if this HOV lane violations comes up after I’m accepted; then I’m sure it won’t be trivial enough to un-grant me acceptance


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[futureMD4294]

And when you write it up for AMCAS be very BRIEF and JUST THE FACTS. One or two sentences thats all.

Would it be wise to avoid including any information on the traffic misdemeanor? I mean I’m sure most students forget to include traffic violations anyways, right. I just don’t want to create a hurdle for myself if I don’t have to...

My idea is that if this HOV lane violation comes up after I’m accepted; then I’m sure it won’t be trivial enough to un-grant me acceptance



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Cornfed101]

And it wouldnt. Criminal issues are a post-acceptance but pre-matriculation issue

well that’s stupid... why would they do that and use up a seat only to rescind it?

 

[deleted1001426]

Would it be wise to avoid including any information on the traffic misdemeanor? I mean I’m sure most students forget to include traffic violations anyways, right. I just don’t want to create a hurdle for myself if I don’t have to...

My idea is that if this HOV lane violation comes up after I’m accepted; then I’m sure it won’t be trivial enough to un-grant me acceptance



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I didn’t include my one speeding ticket.. ngl didn’t know we were supposed to but I assume if it were to come up on a background check a simple “oops, didn’t know this had to be disclosed. Yeah I sped, paid a fine and never thought about the incident again” would suffice

 

[Cornfed101]

Would it be wise to avoid including any information on the traffic misdemeanor? I mean I’m sure most students forget to include traffic violations anyways, right. I just don’t want to create a hurdle for myself if I don’t have to...

My idea is that if this HOV lane violation comes up after I’m accepted; then I’m sure it won’t be trivial enough to un-grant me acceptance



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Just report it. You didn’t forget it

 

[IsleyOfTheNorth]

If you report it, you'll be fine. If you don't, it will come up in the background check and may cause you trouble. The safer and more ethical decision is to report it.

 

[LizzyM]

Report it. It is not something you'd be kicked out of medical school for (if it happened the first week of your school year) and it isn't something they are likely to recind an offer over.

On the other hand, not reporting something that should be reported causes aggravation when it comes time to compare your criminal background check (CBC) against your application. That's where concerns can arrise that you were less than truthful in your application. Don't be that guy who draws unnecessary and negative attention before the first day of school even begins by having a discrepancy between two records (AMCAS and CBC).

 

[deleted1001426]

Report it. It is not something you'd be kicked out of medical school for (if it happened the first week of your school year) and it isn't something they are likely to recind an offer over.

On the other hand, not reporting something that should be reported causes aggravation when it comes time to compare your criminal background check (CBC) against your application. That's where concerns can arrise that you were less than truthful in your application. Don't be that guy who draws unnecessary and negative attention before the first day of school even begins by having a discrepancy between two records (AMCAS and CBC).

So in that case, if you didnt know that speeding or parking tickets classified as something you had to disclose what would you advise doing if you’ve already completed school specific cbcs and indicated that there isn’t anything on your record? Only reason why I care is because it was obtained while driving cross country so idk how they classify their traffic infractions. Tbh I don’t even know if it was a real ticket. It was 2years ago and all I did was pay a fine and then never heard anything from my insurance company/receive points on my license. For all I know I was extorted by some rural cop into sending a $300 donation to them lol.

I still don’t understand why they give a crap about your driving record

 

[Cornfed101]

So in that case, if you didnt know that speeding or parking tickets classified as something you had to disclose what would you advise doing if you’ve already completed school specific cbcs and indicated that there isn’t anything on your record? Only reason why I care is because it was obtained while driving cross country so idk how they classify their traffic infractions. Tbh I don’t even know if it was a real ticket. It was 2years ago and all I did was pay a fine and then never heard anything from my insurance company/receive points on my license. For all I know I was extorted by some rural cop into sending a $300 donation to them lol.

Just request a copy of your background check from Certiphi. Then you will know for sure

I still don’t understand why they give a crap about your driving record

They don't, unless you have a misdemeanor or a felony as part of your driving record (or a school specifically requests all traffic violations).

 

[LizzyM]

Before you matriculate, you may be required to undergo a criminal background check. The background check is compared to your AMCAS. If it matches, it's all good. If it doesn't, you have some explaining to do. You'll be asked to explain and you should be honest about what you didn't know at the time that you applied. It adds a hiccup to your application but shouldn't be a deal breaker.

 

[BellaEXE]

Even some felonies do not exempt someone from becoming a doctor so I would not stress. Just work hard and don't talk about it unless asked for it. Read the fine print on applications. Think about expungement if possible

 

[Lasofloxabuterol]

Even some felonies do not exempt someone from becoming a doctor so I would not stress. Just work hard and don't talk about it unless asked for it. Read the fine print on applications. Think about expungement if possible

Are you sure about that...

 

[BellaEXE]

Are you sure about that...

100%. It certainly makes things VERY hard and you'll have to work harder than other students who are already working hard to get into medical school, but it certainly has happened.

 

[Moko]

Saying that having a felony makes this process "very hard" is quite the understatement. There will always be anecdotes and exceptions to the rule, though it's also important to be realistic in everything that we do.

 

[BellaEXE]

Saying that having a felony makes this process "very hard" is quite the understatement. There will always be anecdotes and exceptions to the rule, though it's also important to be realistic in everything that we do.

Completely agree, but the point I was getting across is that if someone with a felony is able to do it then anything is possible. Are the odds in your favor? Of course not, but redemption stories have always been my personal favorite.

 

[Cornfed101]

Completely agree, but the point I was getting across is that if someone with a felony is able to do it then anything is possible. Are the odds in your favor? Of course not, but redemption stories have always been my personal favorite.

depends a lot on the type of crime. If you commit a crime (felony or misdemeanor) that is a violent or sexual crime against another person you shouldn’t waste your time applying to medical school. For every story of someone beating the odds there is another story of someone who got into professional school only to be unable to obtain a license because of past crimes. You don’t want to be that person. $200k in debt and you can’t practice medicine... not ideal

 

[Lasofloxabuterol]

I have a juvenile record but I was advised not to report it at all because unless a juvenile commits a felony their record is sealed in my state (VA) and would NOT show up on background checks. Is this good advice? It was an adderall charge at 17.

 

[Moko]

I have a juvenile record but I was advised not to report it at all because unless a juvenile commits a felony their record is sealed in my state (VA) and would NOT show up on background checks. Is this good advice? It was an adderall charge at 17.

You're fine in this case. Per AMCAS: "Felony: You must indicate if you have ever been convicted of, or pleaded guilty or no contest to, a felony crime, excluding (1) any offense for which you were adjudicated as a juvenile". Fortunately, you're not from one of the several states in which the maximum age for juvenile courts is <17.

 

[Lasofloxabuterol]

You're fine in this case. Per AMCAS: "Felony: You must indicate if you have ever been convicted of, or pleaded guilty or no contest to, a felony crime, excluding (1) any offense for which you were adjudicated as a juvenile". Fortunately, you're not from one of the several states in which the maximum age for juvenile courts is <17.

Thank you, it was a misdemeanor though. My lawyer advised me not to even report on secondaries because a background check would reveal nothing in my case when the time comes. I want to be transparent and accept responsibility on secondaries due to the age at which the offense occurred and the relatively minor charge it was, but I feel as though it would be stupid to do if Certifi would yield nothing. Any thoughts?

 

[Magyarzorag]

No, not unless its a DUI or you were driving 200 mph in a school zone

 

[and 99 others]

Does the same advice apply for a speeding ticket? I had one just before applying and didn't even think to include it at all. I have no clue if it is considered a misdemeanor and frankly don't even know how I would find out. It was very minor (I think 9 over the limit in a residential area) but I dont want it to cause a headache come background check time.

 

[DNAJB6]

Subtract 1 from your LizzyM score for each 5 mph over the speed limit or for each minor traffic infraction. Anything considered reckless (20 mph or more over) go Carribean. 😉

 

[Moko]

Thank you, it was a misdemeanor though. My lawyer advised me not to even report on secondaries because a background check would reveal nothing in my case when the time comes. I want to be transparent and accept responsibility on secondaries due to the age at which the offense occurred and the relatively minor charge it was, but I feel as though it would be stupid to do if Certifi would yield nothing. Any thoughts?

From AMCAS (again):
"Misdemeanor: You must indicate if you have ever been convicted of, or pleaded guilty or no contest to, a misdemeanor crime, excluding (1) any offense for which you were adjudicated as a juvenile, (2) any convictions that have been expunged or sealed by a court, or (3) any misdemeanor convictions for which you completed any probation and for which the court dismissed the case (in states where applicable)."

However, keep in mind that some schools dig deeper than others in their secondaries. So do read the prompts carefully. As a general rule, it is not safe to assume that just because something doesn't come up on a background check that it can simply be omitted when explicitly asked about.

 

[DNAJB6]

I’m pretty sure that your criminal record and your driving record are technically separate things, but schools will probably see it if they do the background check that includes your driving one. I’d just let the schools where you’ve been accepted know but you should be okay!!

To some degree, but all misdemeanors and felonies should show up on your criminal history even if arising from a traffic offense.

 

[LizzyM]

Read the instructions.
Follow the instructions.
Prosper.

 

[Lasofloxabuterol]

Read the instructions.
Follow the instructions.
Prosper.

I will report it on secondaries if they ask for me to do so as it is the right thing to do. I was just more concerned on how adcoms would view me as a person considering my specific juvinile offense.