Felon applying to med school

[BroDr]

Hi, this is my first time posting here and I’m hoping it’s the right place for my question.

I’ve got 2 misdemeanor and 2 felony convictions, all from 2013 when I was 18 years old. One of the misdemeanors is a drug charge for pot and all are nonviolent. Thankfully I avoided prison and received probation each time.


I’ve turned things around and I’m back in college, hoping to apply to med school sometime in 2021. I realize there will be some sort of background check that med schools conduct upon acceptance, but I’m not finding very much about it online.


I live in California and state law prohibits private screening companies from reporting negative information like criminal records beyond 7 years.


My convictions will be 8 years old by the time I apply.


Will I be protected by the 7 year rule if I apply to med schools in California?


If not, what are my odds of getting accepted? Should I even bother?


Thanks in advance!

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[Oo Cipher oO]

This is a question best answered in the pre-med forum. That is where most questions about medical school applications get asked, and where most posters qualified to answer them will see it.

I cannot answer whether or not your previous convictions will be present on the background check for California medical schools. But you are asked during the application process to disclose in detail every arrest and conviction you have ever been a part of. You should prepare to explain your conviction to any ADCOM and why they should take a chance on you when there are thousands of qualified applicants without felonies competing for the same spots.


Depending what the felony conviction is you may also have difficulty obtaining a state medical license.

 

[ndafife]

Will I be protected by the 7 year rule if I apply to med schools in California?

On your application:

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 or (2) convictions that have been expunged or sealed by a court (in states where applicable).

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).

If not, what are my odds of getting accepted?

Honestly pretty low. You have time between convictions and applying which helps. But you need to be perfect. Like 4.0/520 MCAT level perfect with research, publications, glowing recommendations, tons of volunteering. Your application is going to be easy to throw out so you need to be good enough that they look at your application and say its worth it to take a chance.

The other issue is whether these felonies are felonies that would make it difficult for you to get a medical license after you graduate.

 

[Robin-jay]

Hi, this is my first time posting here and I’m hoping it’s the right place for my question.

I’ve got 2 misdemeanor and 2 felony convictions, all from 2013 when I was 18 years old. One of the misdemeanors is a drug charge for pot and all are nonviolent. Thankfully I avoided prison and received probation each time.


I’ve turned things around and I’m back in college, hoping to apply to med school sometime in 2021. I realize there will be some sort of background check that med schools conduct upon acceptance, but I’m not finding very much about it online.


I live in California and state law prohibits private screening companies from reporting negative information like criminal records beyond 7 years.


My convictions will be 8 years old by the time I apply.


Will I be protected by the 7 year rule if I apply to med schools in California?


If not, what are my odds of getting accepted? Should I even bother?


Thanks in advance!

What are the felonies for? Context is important.

 

[RNtoMD87]

^^^^ That's what I'm curious about.

 

[Robin-jay]

^^^^ That's what I'm curious about.

Yes, no one will be able to help the OP without knowing the charges.

 

[Medic741]

Drug charges + felonies... my understanding almost impossible to get DEA license.

 

[atomi]

It can often be impossible to get a medical license with a felony. Schools will not admit someone who cannot be licensed. You need to look into what it takes for you to obtain a license in each state.

 

[RNtoMD87]

Not very long ago either. 5 years isn't that long considering the apparent severity here.

 

[Med Ed]

If not, what are my odds of getting accepted? Should I even bother?

About your only hope is to get your felonies and arrest record(s) expunged, and even then you will face many, many headaches along the way to licensure. If I were you I would find another field where reporting your past is less of an issue. You may be much happier in the long run if you can truly leave your mistakes in the rear view mirror.

 

[Planes2Doc]

Drug charges + felonies... my understanding almost impossible to get DEA license.

When I did my FBI background check, I remember this being written on the sheet I signed. This would kill your chances before you even started your first pre-med course.

 

[Tenk]

Not worth it. Find a new profession.

 

[puahate]

5 years isnt a lot of time tbh.

 

[gyngyn]

If you apply to schools that require the capacity to work in a county, state or federal hospital as a requirement to matriculate, they will often ask about arrests and convictions. Even if the offenses have been expunged, they will show up when applying for a badge in these facilities.

 

[On_The_Way_Up]

Thank you for you kind donation to the medical schools you will be applying to.