Ethics Violation and Medical School Application

[donuts123]

I recently got involved in an ethics case where I used my roommates old prelabs for Physics Lab at the beginning of the semester. However, the context to this is that I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer last Fall and have been really overwhelmed with my health challenges, causing me to fall very behind in physics and the associated lab. Specifically, I had a major surgery before the start of semester and school was not a priority for me during this time, if I'm being honest. My professor himself noticed that I didn't cheat until my diagnosis since I also had him for the same class last semester. I already struggle with the class because it is known for its rigor at my school, and I haven't taken math in four years which further complicated my ability to complete the assignment without having the time to dedicate to it.

He still reported me which I understand, but I am extremely concerned for how this will be perceived to medical schools. Since it is my first offense, it shouldn't appear on my transcript, but I know I will have to answer yes to the AMCAS question about academic history/disciplinary action to be safe. I am currently a junior at a prestigious university and overall would be a great applicant without this violation, and I truly don't believe it would've happened if I was in a better condition to dedicate all my time and effort to my studies. I am going to aim to work really hard in the class and go to office hours, maybe retaking it next year, in hopes of getting a reccommendation from this professor to put the situation into context and maybe vouch for how hard I have worked to come back from it now that my health issues are winding down, but I know this is a long shot. I am hanging on to this hope because he seemed pretty sympathetic when we talked and told me he appreciated the effort I put into our meeting twice because I wrote a long essay apologizing and explaining the situation. Overall, I will probably still end with a B in the course based on the consequences he suggested.

I am really concerned, and any advice or general opinions about my situation would help. I know I made a poor decision, but it was a desperate attempt to stay on top of school with everything going on, and I hope it doesn't kill my chances at my dream of becoming a doctor.

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[Moko]

I recently got involved in an ethics case where I used my roommates old prelabs for Physics Lab at the beginning of the semester. However, the context to this is that I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer last Fall and have been really overwhelmed with my health challenges, causing me to fall very behind in physics and the associated lab. Specifically, I had a major surgery before the start of semester and school was not a priority for me during this time, if I'm being honest. My professor himself noticed that I didn't cheat until my diagnosis since I also had him for the same class last semester. I already struggle with the class because it is known for its rigor at my school, and I haven't taken math in four years which further complicated my ability to complete the assignment without having the time to dedicate to it.

He still reported me which I understand, but I am extremely concerned for how this will be perceived to medical schools. I am currently a junior at a prestigious university and overall would be a great applicant without this violation, and I truly don't believe it would've happened if I was in a better condition to dedicate all my time and effort to my studies. I am going to aim to work really hard in the class and go to office hours, maybe retaking it next year, in hopes of getting a reccommendation from this professor to put the situation into context and maybe vouch for how hard I have worked to come back from it now that my health issues are winding down, but I know this is a long shot. I am hanging on to this hope because he seemed pretty sympathetic when we talked and told me he appreciated the effort I put into our meeting twice because I wrote a long essay apologizing and explaining the situation. Overall, I will probably still end with a B in the course based on the consequences he suggested.

I am really concerned, and any advice or general opinions about my situation would help. I know I made a poor decision, but it was a desperate attempt to stay on top of school with everything going on, and I hope it doesn't kill my chances at my dream of becoming a doctor.

Was the institution ever involved in this case or was this issue resolved without escalation outside of the classroom? If this was an institutional action, then having a recommendation from this professor will help if they can still strongly recommend you and vouch for your character.

However, if/when you discuss this incident, I strongly suggest taking responsibility for your actions rather than making excuses and/or portraying yourself as a victim of the circumstances (as you have done here). Just my thoughts and best is luck.

 

[donuts123]

Was the institution ever involved in this case or was this issue resolved without escalation outside of the classroom? If this was an institutional action, then having a recommendation from this professor will help if they can still strongly recommend you and vouch for your character.

However, if/when you discuss this incident, I strongly suggest taking responsibility for your actions rather than making excuses and/or portraying yourself as a victim of the circumstances (as you have done here). Just my thoughts and best is luck.

Yes it was an institutional action but is kept internal. And I definitely agree with your point about taking responsibility and plan on doing so. Thanks

 

[candbgirl]

Why didn’t you take a LOA until you were well or for the semester? ( I just reread your post and now I think this cheating happened this semester and not last when you were sick. Is that right?) If it happened this semester, you have to take full ownership because it really has nothing to do with your surgery. I’m sorry for all of your trouble but you need to figure out how you are going to explain this without all of the stuff you wrote in your post that is deflecting blame/ownership. When do you plan to apply? The professor might not be ready to write a glowing letter after just a month or two. So just keep working hard and see what happens.

 

[Goro]

I recently got involved in an ethics case where I used my roommates old prelabs for Physics Lab at the beginning of the semester. However, the context to this is that I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer last Fall and have been really overwhelmed with my health challenges, causing me to fall very behind in physics and the associated lab. Specifically, I had a major surgery before the start of semester and school was not a priority for me during this time, if I'm being honest. My professor himself noticed that I didn't cheat until my diagnosis since I also had him for the same class last semester. I already struggle with the class because it is known for its rigor at my school, and I haven't taken math in four years which further complicated my ability to complete the assignment without having the time to dedicate to it.

He still reported me which I understand, but I am extremely concerned for how this will be perceived to medical schools. Since it is my first offense, it shouldn't appear on my transcript, but I know I will have to answer yes to the AMCAS question about academic history/disciplinary action to be safe. I am currently a junior at a prestigious university and overall would be a great applicant without this violation, and I truly don't believe it would've happened if I was in a better condition to dedicate all my time and effort to my studies. I am going to aim to work really hard in the class and go to office hours, maybe retaking it next year, in hopes of getting a reccommendation from this professor to put the situation into context and maybe vouch for how hard I have worked to come back from it now that my health issues are winding down, but I know this is a long shot. I am hanging on to this hope because he seemed pretty sympathetic when we talked and told me he appreciated the effort I put into our meeting twice because I wrote a long essay apologizing and explaining the situation. Overall, I will probably still end with a B in the course based on the consequences he suggested.

I am really concerned, and any advice or general opinions about my situation would help. I know I made a poor decision, but it was a desperate attempt to stay on top of school with everything going on, and I hope it doesn't kill my chances at my dream of becoming a doctor.

However, the context to this is that I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer last Fall and have been really overwhelmed with my health challenges, causing me to fall very behind in physics and the associated lab.

This is an excuse, not taking responsibility, and if I heard you say that in an interview, you'd be rejected before you left the interview room.

 

[Browns99]

Yes it was an institutional action but is kept internal. And I definitely agree with your point about taking responsibility and plan on doing so. Thanks

What is your definition of "kept internal," either way, as noted from the other posters, you need to take responsibility, never let it happen again, work hard and pray for the best.

 

[LizzyM]

Trying out my CARS skills here:

You were diagnosed in the fall, had surgery over break and fell behind during this term because you'd had surgery and because your math skills are not strong due to not having taken math in years, and not having time to devote to the coursework, and falling behind in the assignments.

What this says to me is that the thyroid cancer is an excuse for poor academic preparation for physics class and poor time management and a deficit in integrity (willingness to cheat for a grade).

You have a lot of things to work on before you will be ready to apply to medical school because academic preparation, time management and integrity are all important and are going to require considerable work on your part. If you are up for that, do some serious thinking about what you need to change to be ready for the challenges you will face in medical school and in the practice of medicine.

 

[donuts123]

Why didn’t you take a LOA until you were well or for the semester? ( I just reread your post and now I think this cheating happened this semester and not last when you were sick. Is that right?) If it happened this semester, you have to take full ownership because it really has nothing to do with your surgery. I’m sorry for all of your trouble but you need to figure out how you are going to explain this without all of the stuff you wrote in your post that is deflecting blame/ownership. When do you plan to apply? The professor might not be ready to write a glowing letter after just a month or two. So just keep working hard and see what happens.

I was diagnosed last fall but my treatment was right before school this semester and I was recovering after that, which is when it happened. I definitely should have handled it better or considered a LOA but I made a poor decision instead. I do take responsibility and I know it was my fault, but I only mention my situation because I do think it played a factor. Either way I am prepared to work hard to pay for my mistakes and take responsibility. I am planning to apply after working a year after I graduate, so 2 gap years. If I were to ask for a recommendation it would be after retaking the class next Spring and showing him that I am dedicated to make it up, so maybe that would be more time.

 

[donuts123]

What is your definition of "kept internal," either way, as noted from the other posters, you need to take responsibility, never let it happen again, work hard and pray for the best.

As in it doesn't show up on my transcript and they wouldn't see it unless they asked for my disciplinary record.

 

[KnightDoc]

As in it doesn't show up on my transcript and they wouldn't see it unless they asked for my disciplinary record.

Which I think they will do, not when you apply, but before you matriculate, along with final transcripts, which would be the worst possible time for any school to learn about this for the first time.

 

[Goro]

I was diagnosed last fall but my treatment was right before school this semester and I was recovering after that, which is when it happened. I definitely should have handled it better or considered a LOA but I made a poor decision instead. I do take responsibility and I know it was my fault, but I only mention my situation because I do think it played a factor. Either way I am prepared to work hard to pay for my mistakes and take responsibility. I am planning to apply after working a year after I graduate, so 2 gap years. If I were to ask for a recommendation it would be after retaking the class next Spring and showing him that I am dedicated to make it up, so maybe that would be more time.

Played a factor??? The bolded is what Adcoms will be concerned about.

Do yourself a favor and stop trying to look for mitigation on your decision. If you don't own this, you're DOA for a career in Medicine.

 

[stinkycheeseperson]

Then you say I made a bad decision. I decided to use roomie's prelabs. I didn't ask for help, think about an LOA, talk to my professor. I know it was a terrible idea, I have never done it before or since. I know now that there are more resources to help in a situation like this, I have considered my time management and psychosocial/support needs, etc. But if you don't own it it will eat you

 

[voxveritatisetlucis]

Most schools don’t read the full app pre interview so will likely get interviews but it will be harder to convert them

 

[skimm]

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[LeeSin]

I just want to add that if you represent it like this, they might ask "So if/when things get hard/complicated again in medical school are you going to make the same decision?" I would avoid talking about extenuating circumstances at all, and let it be mentioned by LoR writers if at all mentioned. You need to show them this is a one off, and that starts by taking full responsibility for it. Good luck man I believe in you.