DUI and Interview

[jamccal]

Hello, I am in a tight situation, and was looking to see if anyone else has had to deal with this.

I received a DUI this summer (please don't be judgmental, if you heard my story you would look at it differently), and it is definitely still a huge blip on my record. I thought about not applying for Medical School this year, but I ended up going ahead with it, just in case something amazing happened against all odds.

I disclosed the information on AMCAS, and explained my situation, and I have completely accepted it and learned from it a lot more than you would expect in such a short amount of time.

I have an average MCAT score, a good GPA, and I am interviewing soon. I know my DUI will no doubt come up in my interview, and that no matter what I say, I am probably going to be judged, but I was just going to ask if anyone else has had to deal with this or if anyone with a similar background has gotten accepted?

I know my changes are slim, but I can't help but try my hardest at this upcoming interview.

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[PreMedOrDead]

(1) This is a public forum, and the AdComs do look at it. I would expect you're one of few (if not the only one) with a DUI that is interviewing at this school. Just a heads up. I'll omit the school in my post, but I'd suggest you edit it out before you're quoted/this page is cached.
(2) It sounds like you did the right thing, disclosed it, and discussed what you had learned. If they are willing to give an interview to you, they are interested in you. You will be judged, but everyone is judged during an interview. That's the whole point. Whether you are judged positively or negatively is how you respond to the question they ask you about the DUI. If you respond in a mature, reflective manner than demonstrates what you've learned you have a shot. However, if you blame anyone but yourself for it and don't show that you've changed thoroughly, you're going to get kicked in the groin faster than lightning strikes from the horrific wrath of Zeus upon a hapless soul.
(3) Go in confident, be prepared, act professional, and don't panic when it comes up. You're still advertising why they should pick you as a holistic applicant. You may have a red flag, but that doesn't define you.

 

[shinbeats]

You need to delete the name of the school from your original post and some other information so you don't become recognizable as the previous poster mentioned.

I had a reckless driving conviction which in my state is criminally equivalent to a DUI and I had a tough time during my interview cycle. I did get accepted but obviously a DUI is a lot more serious in the eyes of an admission committee. You need to be very up front and honest with your interviewer. He will present your case to the rest of the school and it all depends on how the committee views your explanation of the incident.

Your chances are going to be lower than the interviewees with a clean record but this isn't the end and you have a shot. As you already know it's going to be tough since recent crimes are looked at with the greatest scrutiny but hopefully you can be honest and dig yourself out of this one.

 

[Goro]

Concur. I think you'll have a lot of explaining to do at interviews.

You need to be very up front and honest with your interviewer. He will present your case to the rest of the school and it all depends on how the committee views your explanation of the incident.

Your chances are going to be lower than the interviewees with a clean record but this isn't the end and you have a shot. As you already know it's going to be tough since recent crimes are looked at with the greatest scrutiny but hopefully you can be honest and dig yourself out of this one.

 

[def1]

not judging, but not sure what story would make a DUI look differently.

Anyways this a pretty tough situation. If it had happened over a few years ago it might be better to prove that the situation is in the past but since it happened really recently it might be harder to convince someone of that.

However, they are interviewing you for a reason and that means they are considering you. So as long you come across as an improved individual you should be fine.

 

[image187]

You're interviewing on a Sunday?

I agree with what other posters have said about you being able to act maturely, expecting to answer a lot of questions, and not letting this thing define you... but i noticed in your original post you saying something about "what happened to me". This is not the sign of someone who has taken responsibility for their actions and learned a great deal since over time, so for your own sake whatever you do don't phrase it like that. Make them realize you've matured since the incident and take full credit for what you did. I would think in general they would probably throw out about 99% of applictions with drunk driving charges, on them. Clearly though there was something about your application much greater than your DUI, and you need ti figure out what that is so that during your interviews you can take advantage of it and reaffirm to them that this special thing about you is really worth or for them. Are you a good salesman?

 

[McDiz18]

Hi there,

First off- I am sorry to hear you too are dealing with this predicament. I feel like there truly are two different kinds of people that receive DUI's... and believe you me, I was someone who was adamantly against the very thought of being lenient towards someone who was careless enough to get behind the wheel after having too much to drink. You seem like you are genuinely bearing the heavy weight of your decision and are remorseful and worried as to how it may potentially affect your future - I recognize it because I feel the exact same way.

Sadly, I was stupid enough to get in my car and drive when I shouldn't have. That day will go down as (hopefully) the worst of my entire life. Explaining any more than necessary sounds like separating myself from the punishment as an exception - but it occurred in broad daylight after a Saturday spent out on the boat. There were cops waiting outside the parking lot, and I was randomly pulled over. I was .01 over the legal limit. An awful month followed of with no license, I was forced to tell my boss (who was amazing and understanding), and complete all the necessary classes and therapy. Waking up each day, knowing I was on probation, was a notion so foreign to me I cannot even explain. I was a straight A student that had hardly broken a rule in my life... needless to say it was a depressing time and I was quite down on myself and my capabilities.

I stayed at that job for 4 years, partially because in the back of my head, I was desperately frightened to make a move due to my past conviction. Well- this past fall I took a leap. I decided to quit my position and apply for Clinical Psychology programs, at both the doctorate and masters level. I have slightly above average GRE scores, 4 years of field-related work experience at a wonderful organization, fantastic recommendations, and an average undergraduate GPA (3.2) from a BigTen institute for which I earned a full scholarship to play a sport. I have not- NOR will I ever get into a car having merely a sip of alcohol. I do not and have never had an issue with alcohol and ironically have always drank very seldom. I don't want to deceive the University, but I don't want to paint a picture that I am someone I am not. This was a big part of what I learned, I no longer judge people easily or place stigmas on them; for I know how easy it would be for someone to do just that to me.

My question is:

Is it in my best interest to disclose the fact I did receive an OWI on my graduate school application if the question is worded:

" Other than a traffic violation, have you ever been convicted of any crime, or is there any charge now pending against you? A conviction does not necessarily disqualify you."
(Yes/ No)
*If yes, please explain the nature of the offense, date, place and disposition. The University may conduct a criminal history background check to verify your information."

My gut is that I should not. I am in no way a danger or a threat to the University, and I truly learned from that day of faulty judgement. The fact is, it does overshadow all I have to offer an institution. If I am asked about it during an interview, I will absolutely own up to it, explain it in detail and likewise offer my remorse. I am thinking that I can say that in my mind it fell under a traffic violation and while filling out the application it did not occur to me that I had to disclose that painful lesson.

It is going on almost 4 years ago, and in my state I'm fairly certain that in 4 more years I'll be able to move for the conviction to be expunged, or at the very least - sealed. This means that hopefully by the time I'm applying for my license, it will be undetectable by a CBC.

Thank you to anyone who takes the time to reply.... I'm so nervous. I keep going back and forth on what to do on this application. I hate that this might make me seem like I'm dishonest, and apologize for even coming off this way.