holy **** i need advice: academic misconduct

[dasaniwater]

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First let me say I am a regular poster in on SDN on both the preallo and preDO forums, but I changed my id to conceal my identity.

Our evolution class was given an assignment that consisted of six questions about a scientific article that was given to us. So my friend and i worked on an assignment together. We wrote in some cases, word for word straight from the article. We didnt think we needed to cite because a) the TAs and professor knew where we were getting the answer from and b) they were actual facts that we had written down.

Since TAs notices similarities in answers they turned us into the professor. The professor not only noticed these similarities but claimed we plagiarized off an scientific article that was given to us to answer 6 open ended questions.

The thing is, many students did this and were not turned in because the TAs didnt think it was plagairism. We were turned in on the basis of working together on the assignment and having similar answers. Our professor took it a step further and slapped the plaigarism charge on top.

Well, we had our hearing today and we were found in violation of plagiarizing and unauthorized collaboration with each other. The decision was to fail us both in the class. We are curently shocked as to how an unattentional act would land us such a harsh punishment. We both intend to apply this yr for the 2008 cycle. My questions are:

1) We will be appealing this and submitting the AMCAS before this is over. Would you guys leave the box on AMCAS for academic misconduct empty?

2) When secondaries come back, and it is still pending, would you guys still say that "no, I havent been found in violation?"

3) Adcoms have no way of finding that we violated student conduct because it wont show up in our academic record (transcript, files, or anything). It can only be found in the judiciary branch of our school which is confidental. Would you guys keep your mouth shut on what happened because such a small misunderstanding and unintentional act may deplete chances of getting into medical school?

4) Lastly, If you would keep your mouth shut, how would you explain a failing grade to med schools? We sent our transcripts in already so it wont show this quarter's grades. But do medical schools ask to look at transcripts again before, during, or after interview or acceptance?

I know answering all these questions has to do with your personal belief, moral and ethical. But please provide information to help me and my friend decide. We are taking this pretty hard and my friend is pretty much depressed and doesnt know how to move on. We have a final yet to take, but how can we go on without even knowing if the appeals process will work in or favor or not? Anyways, any factual info regarding the questions above would really help. Thanks.

 

[apnea]

i don't know what to tell you...other than DEFINITELY take the final. It just looks better.

 

[dasaniwater]

i don't know what to tell you...other than DEFINITELY take the final. It just looks better.

I will definitely take the final. just incase the appeals thing works in my favor. its just hard studying for it. not knowing the outcome and all. its so distracting. ive complete 2 assignments already with this crap hanging over my head. Tough and distracting but i hope i can get through this

 

[spicedmanna]

This thread is cross-posted in pre-allo:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?p=5214274

 

[youngtraumadoc]

First let me say I am a regular poster in on SDN on both the preallo and preDO forums, but I changed my id to conceal my identity.

Our evolution class was given an assignment that consisted of six questions about a scientific article that was given to us. So my friend and i worked on an assignment together. We wrote in some cases, word for word straight from the article. We didnt think we needed to cite because a) the TAs and professor knew where we were getting the answer from and b) they were actual facts that we had written down.

Since TAs notices similarities in answers they turned us into the professor. The professor not only noticed these similarities but claimed we plagiarized off an scientific article that was given to us to answer 6 open ended questions.

The thing is, many students did this and were not turned in because the TAs didnt think it was plagairism. We were turned in on the basis of working together on the assignment and having similar answers. Our professor took it a step further and slapped the plaigarism charge on top.

Well, we had our hearing today and we were found in violation of plagiarizing and unauthorized collaboration with each other. The decision was to fail us both in the class. We are curently shocked as to how an unattentional act would land us such a harsh punishment. We both intend to apply this yr for the 2008 cycle. My questions are:

1) We will be appealing this and submitting the AMCAS before this is over. Would you guys leave the box on AMCAS for academic misconduct empty?

2) When secondaries come back, and it is still pending, would you guys still say that "no, I havent been found in violation?"

3) Adcoms have no way of finding that we violated student conduct because it wont show up in our academic record (transcript, files, or anything). It can only be found in the judiciary branch of our school which is confidental. Would you guys keep your mouth shut on what happened because such a small misunderstanding and unintentional act may deplete chances of getting into medical school?

4) Lastly, If you would keep your mouth shut, how would you explain a failing grade to med schools? We sent our transcripts in already so it wont show this quarter's grades. But do medical schools ask to look at transcripts again before, during, or after interview or acceptance?

I know answering all these questions has to do with your personal belief, moral and ethical. But please provide information to help me and my friend decide. We are taking this pretty hard and my friend is pretty much depressed and doesnt know how to move on. We have a final yet to take, but how can we go on without even knowing if the appeals process will work in or favor or not? Anyways, any factual info regarding the questions above would really help. Thanks.

Well... this just seems like really, really bad luck. However, academia doesn't care about luck and looks at it as plagarism.
My advice..
1. Take the final
2. Appeal, like you have said, and meet with the professor to explain your side if you have not already-evidence always help
3. If you have the charge on your record you SHOULD mark it on AMCAS-if the case is still pending b/c of the appeal, then leave it unchecked. It would really suck if you left it unchecked but should have checked it and someone found out-stuff like this happends when you least expect it.
4. If you are charged, then I would not emphasize it in my application but I would not hide it. By hiding it, you are showing guilt and dishonesty etc...simply proving that the decision to charge you was correct. Instead...I would prepare a thoughtful letter, perhaps with signatures of professors on your side, explaining this case, what you learned from it etc... This shows that you recognize that in HINDSIGHT (you did not blatantly commit plagarism) you recognize your mistake and sorry for it but have also learned from it and the value this lesson has in your future medical/science career.

Good luck and hope it works out

 

[JaggerPlate]

This is a bummer man, and I'm really sorry it had to happen. I had a friend who was writing a history paper and he read an entire book on plato (for the paper) but when he went to quote a phrase by plato he googled it instead of trying to find it in the book, buttt cited the book as his source. Well it turns out his TA is a big plato fan and realized that the phrase used in his paper was different from the correct one, and the one in the book (the translation online was different). So because of this he was referred to the dean, found guilty of some type of charge (similiar to yours) and he got a 0 on the paper and has a note on his transcript for 7 years. Honestly, everyone (well almost everyone) has some scar if you dig deep enough. I would either a. Be up front on your apps about it, and try to turn it around in your favor ( as a life experience, if you can,), but don't play the victim because it will get you no where. Or b. contact an attorney and let him/her tell you exactly what you do and don't need to put on your application. I just had to do the same thing because of an MIP charge, and they can make all the difference. I hope it works out, and just know that you will still go to med school and down the road this will just be a laugh!!

 

[tkim]

cross post. see the open thread in pre allo. closing.