Effect of DWI on acceptance

[TigerPremed11]

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I have recently found myself in a bit of a predicament and would like firsthand accounts of how a DWI might realistically affect my chances of acceptance at both allopathic and osteopathic schools.
Note: I post this thread only to receive help with my situation and advice. I realize that what I did was immature and idiotic, and I accept full responsibility for my actions. If you are here to berate me online, please refrain from doing so.

I am a rising sophomore right now, and finished my freshman year with a 3.5 GPA ( I plan on raising that to ~3.65 by end of junior year). I can't say as of now how well I will do on the MCAT, as I haven't taken any practice tests. A week after school let out, I was arrested for DWI. I have not been convicted as of yet, but I believe a conviction is inevitable. I have already gotten a highly respected lawyer to represent me. Luckily, I was able to retain my internship this summer. I am interning with the research department at an orthopedic clinic conducting mainly prospective hip & knee research working ~30 hours/week.

I was wondering if anyone could give me any insight into how best to handle my situation moving forward. I have already checked myself in to substance abuse counseling, and have given up alcohol for the time being. Again, firsthand accounts of experiences with ADCOMs regarding DWI convictions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you all in advance

 

[Ironmandoc]

http://studentdoctor.net/?cx=014006641314639809672%3Aipqmsamzet8&cof=GALT%3A%23993300%3BGL%3A1%3BDIV%3A%23FFFFFF%3BVLC%3A%23993300%3BAH%3Acenter%3BBGC%3AFFFFFF%3BLBGC%3AFFFFFF%3BALC%3A333333%3BLC%3A993300%3BT%3A333333%3BGFNT%3A333333%3BGIMP%3A333333%3BFORID%3A9&q=DWI&s=DWI

Here you go

 

[Goro]

On the one hand, we do believe in the power of redemption and maturity that comes with age, but on the other hand, guys like you kill families like mine, so be prepared for some rejections.

By the time you start applying, you should have another two years to grow and mature. If you take ownership of this, I think you'll be OK.

BUT, if you end up having a a second DWI, kiss your medicial career goodbye.

I have recently found myself in a bit of a predicament and would like firsthand accounts of how a DWI might realistically affect my chances of acceptance at both allopathic and osteopathic schools.
Note: I post this thread only to receive help with my situation and advice. I realize that what I did was immature and idiotic, and I accept full responsibility for my actions. If you are here to berate me online, please refrain from doing so.

I am a rising sophomore right now, and finished my freshman year with a 3.5 GPA ( I plan on raising that to ~3.65 by end of junior year). I can't say as of now how well I will do on the MCAT, as I haven't taken any practice tests. A week after school let out, I was arrested for DWI. I have not been convicted as of yet, but I believe a conviction is inevitable. I have already gotten a highly respected lawyer to represent me. Luckily, I was able to retain my internship this summer. I am interning with the research department at an orthopedic clinic conducting mainly prospective hip & knee research working ~30 hours/week.

I was wondering if anyone could give me any insight into how best to handle my situation moving forward. I have already checked myself in to substance abuse counseling, and have given up alcohol for the time being. Again, firsthand accounts of experiences with ADCOMs regarding DWI convictions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you all in advance

 

[darkjedi]

I'll be honest, its going to hurt your application significantly. You can effectively kiss top-tier and medium-tier schools goodbye at this point. People with 3.9/39s have enough trouble applying with clean records. I have friends with just university drinking violations that had trouble during the cycle trying to explain it away. Theres very little chance that they will look past a DWI. You might have a shot at some lower tier schools provided you do excellent on the MCAT.

 

[akaMondo]

What state do you live in? I'm in Wisconsin, and my first and only DUI is a traffic ticket, not a misdemeanor, therefore I do not have to disclose it on AMCAS. I THINK that all 49 other states are 1st offense = misdemeanor, but I'm not 100% positive? I thought I've heard something about it depending on what you blow in other states?

 

[DforDoctor]

You need to disclose your location as different states have different jurisdictions, such as legal limits for blood alcohol concentrations.

First off, it is a good thing you hired an attorney. One of the biggest mistakes is wanting to get the whole ordeal 'out of the way' as soon as possible to move on with life; life cannot be moved on quickly if there is a DWI on your criminal record.

Second, what did you blow, granted you blew.
If your number wasn't incredibly high (anything under 0.1 is not too high), then your lawyer will have no problem getting the DWI reduced to a DWAI (Driving While Ability Impaired), which is basically blowing under the legal limit (i.e blowing 0.06% while the limit is 0.08%).

A DWAI is a violation and not a misdemeanor. A DWI is a misdemeanor. If you are convicted of a misdemeanor (pleading GUILTY to the charge of DWI), then you will have an INCREDIBLY difficult time getting accepted. If you are convicted of a DWAI, it will still be an issue but obviously not as much. Try to get your lawyer to further reduce the charge of a DWAI (which is usually the offer from the DA) to a disorderly conduct (which is not a misdemeanor nor is it a traffic violation).

This will require more time as court cases are not handled quickly. It depends if you are applying this cycle. Usually a DWI case will take 2-3 months from arraignment so if you are applying this cycle, you might want to wait a year, unless you are okay with applying late.

I hope this helps. Good luck, and just don't get behind the wheel with EtOH in your system, ever again.

 

[TigerPremed11]

I live in NC, and to my knowledge, there is no such thing as DWAI, just DWI. The first court date i believe is in a week, but only my attorney needs to be present and a continuance is likely. My lawyer seems convinced that this could take up to a year to finally settle, but shouldn't take over two years obviously (when I would begin applying).
Thank you all for your responses

 

[qwerty2012]

You need to disclose your location as different states have different jurisdictions, such as legal limits for blood alcohol concentrations.

First off, it is a good thing you hired an attorney. One of the biggest mistakes is wanting to get the whole ordeal 'out of the way' as soon as possible to move on with life; life cannot be moved on quickly if there is a DWI on your criminal record.

Second, what did you blow, granted you blew.
If your number wasn't incredibly high (anything under 0.1 is not too high), then your lawyer will have no problem getting the DWI reduced to a DWAI (Driving While Ability Impaired), which is basically blowing under the legal limit (i.e blowing 0.06% while the limit is 0.08%).

A DWAI is a violation and not a misdemeanor. A DWI is a misdemeanor. If you are convicted of a misdemeanor (pleading GUILTY to the charge of DWI), then you will have an INCREDIBLY difficult time getting accepted. If you are convicted of a DWAI, it will still be an issue but obviously not as much. Try to get your lawyer to further reduce the charge of a DWAI (which is usually the offer from the DA) to a disorderly conduct (which is not a misdemeanor nor is it a traffic violation).

This will require more time as court cases are not handled quickly. It depends if you are applying this cycle. Usually a DWI case will take 2-3 months from arraignment so if you are applying this cycle, you might want to wait a year, unless you are okay with applying late.

I hope this helps. Good luck, and just don't get behind the wheel with EtOH in your system, ever again.

Someone with a troll as a avi. I will not trust this fellow at anything he says, no matter how reasonable or sound..

 

[DforDoctor]

Someone with a troll as a avi. I will not trust this fellow at anything he says, no matter how reasonable or sound..

Haha, the troll jpeg was to just have a picture but I guess it wouldn't fare well on a forum like this one..

As far as the DWI goes, that is for NY.