Felony

[GrammCracker]

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I have a classmate friend who's going to be applying to be in the c/o 2012 for a medical school somewhere. The problem is that he has a felony on his record and has not had much luck in expunging it. The offense was for drug paraphernalia possession for cocaine and I think he might have said it was a double offense. I'm 50/50 on that unfortunately, I do not quite remember. His GPA is average with a few Cs and Bs here and there and he already took the MCAT. He scored in the low 30s. In case anyone was wondering, he does not do cocaine anymore so don't ask about that. But my question is, does he have a chance since I think the applications ask about criminal history? I'm interested in pharmacy so I don't know too much about the med school admission and application process. He's a good talker so he might be able to reason himself IF he gets an interview. I don't think he has much of a chance. I think he might get an interview if he applies to enough schools but I think that will be the end.

You people are more knowledgeable with the whole process so I wanted to hear your opinions. Frankly, this guy is kinda getting annoying by thinking that he has a good chance.

 

[MirrorTodd]

You're, I mean "he's" out.

 

[DocBR]

I have a classmate friend who's going to be applying to be in the c/o 2012 for a medical school somewhere. The problem is that he has a felony on his record and has not had much luck in expunging it. The offense was for drug paraphernalia possession for cocaine and I think he might have said it was a double offense. I'm 50/50 on that unfortunately, I do not quite remember. His GPA is average with a few Cs and Bs here and there and he already took the MCAT. He scored in the low 30s. In case anyone was wondering, he does not do cocaine anymore so don't ask about that. But my question is, does he have a chance since I think the applications ask about criminal history? I'm interested in pharmacy so I don't know too much about the med school admission and application process. He's a good talker so he might be able to reason himself IF he gets an interview. I don't think he has much of a chance. I think he might get an interview if he applies to enough schools but I think that will be the end.

You people are more knowledgeable with the whole process so I wanted to hear your opinions. Frankly, this guy is kinda getting annoying by thinking that he has a good chance.

I am no expert on this, but I would imagine there are plenty of applicants that have decent GPAs, low 30's MCAT scores, and no prior drug conviction that can fill the available spots. Even if he could talk his way around the convictions in an interview, I imagine it would be REALLY REALLY hard to get an acceptance.

 

[QuantumMechanic]

The offense was for drug paraphernalia possession for cocaine

 

[DropkickMurphy]

Hey Pablo,
Even if you got into a med school (read as: Caribbean) you would have a damn hard (read as: impossible) time of getting a medical license in the US.

 

[msundi83]

I've never heard of anyone getting in to med school with a felony conviction, but I'm sure it has happened. It depends on a lot of factors. The school first of all. Some schools might be less inclined to take a risk on someone who is or has ever been capable or willing to do things that would mean a felony conviction. Some schools might be. Especially if they have been "clean" for a while and shown real signs of change.

I'm not one to finalize judgement on a person based on past mistakes and I bet some schools and their adcoms are willing to look at the bigger picture in the case of individuals like your friend. We all have to live with our mistakes, however. This will certainly make it more difficult for your friend to pursue medicine, but if that is what they really want to do they should do what they have to. It might take multiple tries and maybe temporary detours to reach medical school.

 

[DropkickMurphy]

In case you want to buy one: All the best products are Colombian

 

[TMP-SMX]

It's hard to get a job with a felony like that let alone get into med school. Better luck next time killer...

 

[DropkickMurphy]

Later today, at the OP's house:

 

[pretenda]

Avg stats plus two yayo convictions AND a Scarface complex. Im just gonna go out on a limb and say NO to schools all over the world. If he gotten caught once he might have gotten a chance for an interview in the Carribean but two convictions usually means hes either dealing or addicted. Either way, a doctor cannot perform his job under those conditions. Unless his parents have DEEP pockets and can pay for a new medical center to be built in their name hes not getting in but none of these things kept Tony Montana down either

 

[Instatewaiter]

I think the major issue is whether he gets a DEA number. That may be the limiting factor. If you have a drug charge, especially a felony, I can't imagine the DEA would allow you to prescribe meds. This is probably the reason med schools really don;t like felony convictions.

 

[Tired Pigeon]

Forget it. Not gonna happen.

 

[Funky]

it sucks sometimes how we're judged by just one bad incident in our lives. one fatal mistake and your dreams are over

 

[braluk]

It does suck yes, but with all the candidates out there who have not had any type of convictions and have decent grades, med schools probably have no need to give charity to someone who messed up once- even if they are deserving of a second chance. I think that schools would rather even accept a candidate with a lower GPA than they would with someone who has a criminal record- they want to pump out doctors that dont have any questions about their integrity.

If you opened up a business and had 5000 job applicants for only 100 positions in your company, your choices of who to select becomes very wide ranging- and I cannot imagine that you would select someone who has had a demonstrated past of misjudgment- even if he or she is reformed, given that you can just select someone else and play it safe.

Anyhow, Good luck to your friend OP, he needs to demonstrate years of committment and service to the community before he will probably be considered by medical schools in the United States.

 

[xx216xx]

In case you want to buy one: All the best products are Colombian

You know, I don't think I can resist it anymore, your t-shirt designs are just way too hilarious.

 

[hb2998]

it sucks sometimes how we're judged by just one bad incident in our lives. one fatal mistake and your dreams are over

I doubt he got caught with cocaine the first time he ever tried it. You can get away with things once, twice, 10 times, but eventually you get caught. Usually it wasn't a first time, and most of the time, they don't go all the way with first time offenders, slap on the wrist (drug found in the car charges lowered to another misdemeanor offense).

Schools want to know about our extracurricular activities, a felony says a lot about a person's extracurricular activities. A person caught up in drugs wouldn't have time to build up a great resume so I can't imagine your friend has anything decent other than mediocre grades and okay MCAT score. I'm not well versed on the DEA licensing thing, but agree, no point to make someone a doc if they could never get licensed.

 

[foofish]

Oh goodie, it's that time of year again for the "So, I killed a dude with my bare hands....what are my chances?" threads! My favorite threads ever!

OP: Med schools--and licensing boards--don't get too excited about giving convicted drug addicts the power to prescribe narcotics.

Edit: ....unless you're Noah Wylie on ER.

 

[Instatewaiter]

The whole pre-med notion that people who do drugs are not able to do well in school or get anything accomplished is bogus. The best students I knew from Ugrad were total druggies.

Apparently on the applicaiton to get a DEA licensing number they specifically ask if you have ever been convicted of a felony charge related to controlled substances. Even if 'you friend' were to get into medical school he or she would have major difficulties getting a number and thus prescribe any medication. That kinda puts a damper on what you can do as a physician. Might as well become a naturopath .

 

[PugMD]

Oh goodie, it's that time of year again for the "So, I killed a dude with my bare hands....what are my chances?" threads! My favorite threads ever!

My favorite time of year as well -> the snow starts to fall, air gets chilly, and the drugies/child porn ringmasters begin to ponder their careers in medicine.

 

[DropkickMurphy]

it sucks sometimes how we're judged by just one bad incident in our lives. one fatal mistake and your dreams are over

 

[dutchman]

Look OP, tell you sister'e cousin's friend's uncle'e nephew that It will be a waste of time applying. Even if you get into medschool, what residency program is going to pick you, and which hospital or group is going to ultimately hire you. Medschool is the least of your worries right now. Try to wait and see if that record gets expunged(I don't even know if this is possible), because medicine aside, you can't even get a decent job with that felony. However, your best shot at any kind of professional success will be outside medicine where there might be people willing to cut you some slack.

 

[Wrigleyville]

How the hell would he get a medical license/DEA license with a cocaine-related felony? No f-ing way will he be admitted.

 

[BellyDancingDoc]

Try to wait and see if that record gets expunged(I don't even know if this is possible), because medicine aside, you can't even get a decent job with that felony.

Hey now, Dubya did OK with that felony...
wait...
scratch that...

 

[Sarg's kid]

MEDICAL SCHOOL???? No Way.

Chiropractic school or some other career which doesn't involve securing a DEA number could be an alternative. Maybe psychology or something else. Med school will never happen, but you... I mean, your friend... can still do something to make the world a better place, and can still get a decent job.

 

[45408]

it sucks sometimes how we're judged by just one bad incident in our lives. one fatal mistake and your dreams are over

Yeah, getting caught with crack was just "one bad incident." I have a feeling it was somewhere in a long, long line of bad incidents. An underage drinking ticket could be possibly chalked up to "one bad incident," but not crack cocaine.

 

[RokChalkJayhawk]

Does anyone have real statistics on this or is it all just opinion?

 

[iwannagomed]

just wondering...

would a felony before turning 18 (as a minor) come up with background check?

 

[RokChalkJayhawk]

I'm pretty sure a juvenile record is sealed.

That being said- you gotta be trying hard to get a felony as a minor.

 

[braluk]

Im not sure to tell you the truth- I was always told your record is wiped when you reach 18. And I dont know how thorough a med school background check is to dig that info out.

 

[awk]

I have a feeling the OP is gonna car bomb some adcomm members...

 

[braluk]

Dont you mean the OPs friend?

 

[RokChalkJayhawk]

Yeah, getting caught with crack was just "one bad incident." I have a feeling it was somewhere in a long, long line of bad incidents. An underage drinking ticket could be possibly chalked up to "one bad incident," but not crack cocaine.

I'm gonna have to agree here:

Caught with alcohol: no big deal, you can buy it at a grocery store.

Caught with weed: larger problem, but still probably won't result in a preclusion from med school.

Caught with Cocaine: Now I go to UCSB and I have only seen coke once in my life. I remember being pretty freaked out. It is most certainly NOT a "gateway" drug, and indicates to an ADCOM that a person has a history with substance abuse. Is it possible to demonstrate that you have rehabilitated? Yes. Is that an easy process? NO.

 

[notdeadyet]

How the hell would he get a medical license/DEA license with a cocaine-related felony? No f-ing way will he be admitted.

Yeah. He's still in the running for mayor of Washington D.C. though...

 

[DropkickMurphy]

Now I go to UCSB and I have only seen coke once in my life.

I have a picture of myself posing next to a few dozen kilos of coke that I helped the local cops offload from a semi after they found it during a traffic stop. It's pretty amazing to stop and think when you realize the stuff is worth something on the order of $16K per kilo.

There was also several hundred pounds of pot, I forget the exact amount, but it was enough to set off the drug dog before it even got out of the car according to the handler.

 

[45408]

I have a picture of myself posing next to a few dozen kilos of coke that I helped the local cops offload from a semi after they found it during a traffic stop. It's pretty amazing to stop and think when you realize the stuff is worth something on the order of $16K per kilo.

There was also several hundred pounds of pot, I forget the exact amount, but it was enough to set off the drug dog before it even got out of the car according to the handler.

wow. the canine sense of smell just amazes me. I can't smell pot unless it's being smoked less than 50 feet away (thank you, my old neighbors downstairs, who allowed that scent to waft upstairs on a very frequent basis).

 

[bbabul01]

I have a picture of myself posing next to a few dozen kilos of coke that I helped the local cops offload from a semi after they found it during a traffic stop.

Like this?

 

[BellyDancingDoc]

I have a picture of myself posing next to a few dozen kilos of coke that I helped the local cops offload from a semi after they found it during a traffic stop.

DKM, if you will post this picture (Photoshop out your face, if you must), I give you my word that I will buy one of your T-shirts.

 

[Depakote]

I was told at in an interview presentation that physicians are 3x more likely to become drug addicts than members of the general population (they have knowledge, access and are under pressure).

I can see adcom's maybe forgiving some previous indescretions, but I doubt they would take a chance on someone that has a history of drug abuse and I think it would be policy at many hospitals/residency programs not to allow someone with a record such as that to work on staff.

 

[GoinBack2Cali?]

I have a picture of myself posing next to a few dozen kilos of coke that I helped the local cops offload from a semi after they found it during a traffic stop. It's pretty amazing to stop and think when you realize the stuff is worth something on the order of $16K per kilo.

There was also several hundred pounds of pot, I forget the exact amount, but it was enough to set off the drug dog before it even got out of the car according to the handler.

Try 1,800 pounds. I went on a ride along with my brother (DEA). We built a stinky throne of pot in the evidence room.

And crystal meth really looks like crystals.

 

[braluk]

So in other words you're standing next to something in the worth somewhere in the 9 figures? Thats basically the worth of total NIH funding for harvard standing right in front of you packaged neatly

 

[GoinBack2Cali?]

Thats basically the worth of total NIH funding for harvard standing right in front of you packaged neatly

Before that it was neatly packaged inside of a flat bed truck hauling hay.

 

[yomama'sdoctor]

how many poor students could that send through medical school?


at least one...mmm, tempting

 

[braluk]

Lol try, at least everyone on SDN

 

[DropkickMurphy]

Try 1,800 pounds. I went on a ride along with my brother (DEA). We built a stinky throne of pot in the evidence room.

And crystal meth really looks like crystals.

You got me beat (or your brother does). Holy crap......

I've seen more meth than I'd like....but then again this place used to have a major problem with meth labs. I saw one explode on a fire call once. That was awesome (if you're into big explosions and you are able to duck quickly)

 

[coffeebythelake]

And crystal meth really looks like crystals.

Interesting you guys don't use gloves when handling contraband. I guess you can take a small sample back home to try out.

 

[brianmartin]

As of right now, there is no way you'll get in.

However, in the interest of optimism, I'd like to offer a few suggestions that could help.

First off, contact a lawyer and see what you can do about getting the record expunged. I know you said it wasn't working, but try. Get a good lawyer and see what you can do.

Second, try contacting the governor of your state and asking for a pardon. For this to work, you would need to execute a complete turnaround, and become a "model" citizen - volunteer everywhere, get involved in something that helps people. Then write to your governor and see what happens. If you aren't getting through, contact your state representative and see if they will pass along the letter to the governor for you.

I would try to get involved with some kind of program that helps people with drug addiction...do counseling for inmates, mentorship for at-risk youth, give talks at local elementary schools, volunteer to do ANYTHING you can that will help prevent people from mistaking the same mistake you did.

After a few years, see where you stand. Write your governor, phone every person in your local government you can. Try to prove to your governor that you deserve a pardon. Get a lawyer and have them do a complete investigation of your options.

So, there are some things you can do - don't give up all hope. Also, look into other kinds of health professions, like nursing. You'll still have a rough time getting licensed but it definitely happens.

 

[gary5]

He's got no chance. A person with such poor judgement cannot be trusted with another person's health, or life.

 

[sgglaze]

Won't get in, but it would make for a decent anti drug commercial for premeds.

 

[45408]

So in other words you're standing next to something in the worth somewhere in the 9 figures? Thats basically the worth of total NIH funding for harvard standing right in front of you packaged neatly

I think that picture is a huge pile of weed, not coke. So, while it's worth a lot of money, it's nowhere near a billion.

Nevertheless, you could film a lot of sequels to "Up in Smoke" with that stash.

 

[braluk]

Or half baked lol