DWI

[gskdmavs]

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Hi I'm a premed student that is currently looking to apply for the 2017 cycle. Before I graduated in May of 2016, in April I received a DWI when I parked my car at my house and was leaving the car. Reason was my turn signal wasn't on 100 feet before the turn. I am now going to trial in January of 2017. Most likely receiving the conviction and probation. However, during this time I have gone to AA meetings, DWI classes, and the mothers against drunk driving without being told to by the court to show that I do care about what happened. Been sober for 5 months and started hitting the gym regularly with stats showing the changes I've made.

I graduated with a B.S. Biology with a 3.9 GPA summa cum laude with internships at TAMU and UTMB medical school along with 3 years of research in endothermic animals. Currently have been working as a quality control engineer for the past 4 months. Sorry for the long post but just wanted any input if anyone knows of someone who got into medical school with a misdemeanor. I have heard of people yes but just wondered if this one event can change everything that I have worked for. Thank you.

 

[Med Ed]

Hi I'm a premed student that is currently looking to apply for the 2017 cycle. Before I graduated in May of 2016, in April I received a DWI when I parked my car at my house and was leaving the car. Reason was my turn signal wasn't on 100 feet before the turn. I am now going to trial in January of 2017. Most likely receiving the conviction and probation. However, during this time I have gone to AA meetings, DWI classes, and the mothers against drunk driving without being told to by the court to show that I do care about what happened. Been sober for 5 months and started hitting the gym regularly with stats showing the changes I've made.

I graduated with a B.S. Biology with a 3.9 GPA summa cum laude with internships at TAMU and UTMB medical school along with 3 years of research in endothermic animals. Currently have been working as a quality control engineer for the past 4 months. Sorry for the long post but just wanted any input if anyone knows of someone who got into medical school with a misdemeanor. I have heard of people yes but just wondered if this one event can change everything that I have worked for. Thank you.

What did you blow?

 

[wizzed101]

Before I graduated in May of 2016, in April I received a DWI when I parked my car at my house and was leaving the car. Reason was my turn signal wasn't on 100 feet before the turn.

If that is how you are going to tell the story, you will stand no chance. All I read is that you did drink and drive. And had you not been arrested, you wouldn't even think there was anything wrong with it and that the only thing you did wrong was not turning the signal on 100 ft before the turn.

 

[DoctorCakes]

If that is how you are going to tell the story, you will stand no chance. All I read is that you did drink and drive. And had you not been arrested, you wouldn't even think there was anything wrong with it and that the only thing you did wrong was not turning the signal on 100 ft before the turn.

She is telling a story and is telling all parts of the story. I agree that that is not the sole reason she received a DWI but she was trying to differentiate between recklessly drunk driving and how she received the citation. I'm sure she appreciates your constructive reply.

Realistically you want to put as much time as possible between the event/conviction and your application cycle. I would be prepared to do a few gap years to show rehabilitation as this is a very fresh wound on your application. Your application is very stellar and I'm assuming you took the MCAT and did exceedingly well. As you have not been convicted yet, there is still hope that you can avoid a conviction with proper legal counsel. I got into some legal trouble and found a lawyer I could trust who pleaded my "bright future" on my behalf and helped dropped some very ugly charges that were worse than a DWI. I also have a colleague who received a DWI and various dug charges while driving drunk but got the charges dropped so there is hope and I assume you have discussed this with your lawyer.

People get into medical school quite frequently with DUI/DWI but they show rehabilitation through an extended period of time. AA meeting are a good start but be prepared to beef up this application in your gap years. If you truly want to be a physician then the future is in your hands.

 

[DoctorCakes]

She is telling a story and is telling all parts of the story. I agree that that is not the sole reason she received a DWI but she was trying to differentiate between recklessly drunk driving and how she received the citation. I'm sure she appreciates your constructive reply.

Realistically you want to put as much time as possible between the event/conviction and your application cycle. I would be prepared to do a few gap years to show rehabilitation as this is a very fresh wound on your application. Your application is very stellar and I'm assuming you took the MCAT and did exceedingly well. As you have not been convicted yet, there is still hope that you can avoid a conviction with proper legal counsel. I got into some legal trouble and found a lawyer I could trust who pleaded my "bright future" on my behalf and helped dropped some very ugly charges that were worse than a DWI. I also have a colleague who received a DWI and various dug charges while driving drunk but got the charges dropped so there is hope and I assume you have discussed this with your lawyer.

People get into medical school quite frequently with DUI/DWI but they show rehabilitation through an extended period of time. AA meeting are a good start but be prepared to beef up this application in your gap years. If you truly want to be a physician then the future is in your hands.

If you are really going on a trial to fight this charge then I'm sure you aware of the risks and the stress that imposes. Don't be afraid to fork up upwards of 20k for a good lawyers. They are worth their weight in gold.

 

[libertyyne]

4 years. Do something else until 2020. And apply in 2020.

 

[wizzed101]

She is telling a story and is telling all parts of the story. I agree that that is not the sole reason she received a DWI but she was trying to differentiate between recklessly drunk driving and how she received the citation. I'm sure she appreciates your constructive reply.

So there are recklessly drunk driving and meticulously drunk driving. Gotcha. Solid defense. Go OP. Fight it. Justice is by your side.

 

[DoctorCakes]

So there are recklessly drunk driving and meticulously drunk driving. Gotcha. Solid defense. Go OP. Fight it. Justice is by your side.

Shut up

 

[aldol16]

The moment you get behind the wheel, whether you start the car, whether in motion, whether just sitting parked, violates most state's DWI/DUI statutes.

Although if you are drunk and in your car but you do not have access to the keys (i.e. keys are not in or around your car), they cannot prove specific intent to drive. So when it's last call, you're drunk, and you're waiting for an Uber in the cold, make sure your keys are not accessible to you when you get in to wait.

 

[Goro]

To follow up on my wise colleague's words, I firmly believe that people like OP kill families like mine. That said, we were all young and stupid once, and so a DUI isn't lethal for med school apps (except maybe at LCOM and Loma Linda).

OP has to own this, and have an exemplary record.

@wizzed101 is quite right about this. In the view of an adcom, the circumstances around a DWI/DUI does not matter at all. The moment you get behind the wheel, whether you start the car, whether in motion, whether just sitting parked, violates most state's DWI/DUI statutes. And the adcoms will care ONLY that you received a conviction. Since all felony and misdemeanors must be reported and explained, having any narrative other than fully and completely taking responsibilities for your actions will fail. Anything to explain the circumstances of any kind that even remotely minimize your behavior will fail. I dont care whether you were speeding at 100 miles an hour or were driving perfectly fine. You must say something along the lines you went drinking and made the foolish and irresponsible decision to get behind the wheel of a car. While you were fortunate in not causing any physical or personal damage, it was a wholly irresponsible and potentially dangerous act that you now have been convicted of

 

[aldol16]

When you start getting into the weeds of legality like that and since most people have house/dorm/apartment keys on same ring with car keys, it is really far optimistic to expect that situation in most cases.

Of course, but it is a good thing to keep in mind because of the alternative. Now in the winter, people might come out of bars and wait in their started cars for their friends or rideshare service because of the cold. An officer can do a field sobriety test and arrest you for DUI if your car is on and you're drunk in it. Or if you're intoxicated and want to sleep it off in your car. If your keys are accessible, an officer can also arrest you. This instance will be more difficult to prove, especially if you can provide evidence that you were parked there for some time and were sleeping/had no intent to drive. But to be on the safe side, I always put the keys by the spare in the trunk or somewhere hidden nearby.

 

[Med Ed]

@wizzed101 is quite right about this. In the view of an adcom, the circumstances around a DWI/DUI does not matter at all.

I have to respectfully disagree. While other adcoms may operate differently, every time a DWI/DUI has come up in my committee we do consider the circumstances. I can think of one person who, at age 21, went to a birthday party, had one too many (literally), was pulled over for speeding, admitted to drinking, and blew a 0.08 (which used to be below the legal limit). This individual was an otherwise exemplary applicant and the sin was readily forgivable.

I can think of another who ran into a stopped police car on the highway and blew >0.35. I can think of another with untreated PTSD who obtained multiple DUI's. These latter two are more strongly suggestive of chronicity, with their sins being commensurately less forgivable.

Ultimately I think all three could get accepted somewhere, but their paths to redemption are not equivalent.

 

[Med Ed]

To follow up on my wise colleague's words, I firmly believe that people like OP kill families like mine. That said, we were all young and stupid once,

He that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone at her.

 

[libertyyne]

I have to respectfully disagree. While other adcoms may operate differently, every time a DWI/DUI has come up in my committee we do consider the circumstances. I can think of one person who, at age 21, went to a birthday party, had one too many (literally), was pulled over for speeding, admitted to drinking, and blew a 0.08 (which used to be below the legal limit). This individual was an otherwise exemplary applicant and the sin was readily forgivable.

I can think of another who ran into a stopped police car on the highway and blew >0.35. I can think of another with untreated PTSD who obtained multiple DUI's. These latter two are more strongly suggestive of chronicity, with their sins being commensurately less forgivable.

Ultimately I think all three could get accepted somewhere, but their paths to redemption are not equivalent.

Can i just say, I love you.

 

[JustAPhD]

I am now going to trial in January of 2017. Most likely receiving the conviction and probation. However, during this time I have gone to AA meetings, DWI classes, and the mothers against drunk driving without being told to by the court to show that I do care about what happened.

If your story is indeed true, and your lawyer is competent, then you stand a not-insignificant chance at getting your charge dropped to a lower offense if this is your first time being charged with a DUI/DWI. Tell your lawyer you desperately need to dodge the DWI charge, a large fine with a lesser charge would be much better for your situation. What you did was very stupid, but you don't need to hear that from us. It is good to see you're making a change to your lifestyle, keep that up. Best of luck.

 

[DoctorCakes]

All great advice given here, but the most important given is to own up to your actions when explaining this to both Adcom and future licensing boards. Good luck

 

[DokterMom]

For what it's worth, the OP's avatar indicates he is male.

 

[LeweezeB]

For the OP:

I was arrested for drunk driving 7 years ago. I plead guilty, received my conviction, and completed two years of probation. I applied to medical school this cycle and have been accepted to an MD school, and interviewed at a handful of top tier MD schools (awaiting to hear back). My advice is as follows:

own your mistake and be honest.

If you follow that advice, and demonstrate a genuine desire and capacity to practice medicine, I believe this will not be a deal breaker for you.

 

[Goro]

I agree; hence my quote about being young and stupid. I do not auto-reject people with a DUI. I do have less sympathy for those who do so after age 20-21, though.

In general, my Adcom tends to be the harshest on people who don't own their transgressions. Like people who blame the cops.

What was the fate at your school of the two cases you mentioned?

He that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone at her.

 

[Med Ed]

What was the fate at your school of the two cases you mentioned?

Neither matriculated with us. One was waitlisted and the other rejected. I believe the one we waitlisted did matriculate elsewhere. Both had spent significant time rehabilitating their respective applications, and both spurred lengthy discussions in committee.

 

[Goro]

Many thanks for sharing!!

Neither matriculated with us. One was waitlisted and the other rejected. I believe the one we waitlisted did matriculate elsewhere. Both had spent significant time rehabilitating their respective applications, and both spurred lengthy discussions in committee.