Hope for those with institutional action

[BurritoKiller]

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Hey all,

I know how dreadful it can be to be the recipient of IA, and a lot of people on these forums will tell you you're automatically doomed because of it. Well I'm here to tell you that you can overcome it. Obviously it's better not to have an IA, but for those who do, here's my story and hopefully it will provide those will IA some hope.

I go to a well-regarded university and received an honor code violation freshman year for what most would call petty theft. It was an immature, impulsive decision. The item was university property and cost less than $50. It was found in plain site during RA inspections. I was slapped with an honor code violation and was forced to pay restitution that far exceeded the value of the item. What I do have going for me is a sterling judicial record otherwise and lots of time since the incident.

I was worried about my med school prospects, and a lot of people (Adcoms included) more or less agree that IA = instant death. While that might be true at some schools, it is far from true at all. I'm a traditional, ORM applicant.

Here's my general info:
3.8 cGPA, 3.8 sGPA
510 MCAT (128, 128, 127, 127)
2 years research
2 summers @ a prestigious SURP
~100 hours shadowing 5 specialties
~150 hours of clinical volunteering
ODK member, Mortar Board member
Greek life involvement
Unique hobbies
Great LORS according to interviewers

I applied to 27 MD schools (half were high reaches that I probably wouldn't get into even without the IA, the other half I was competitive statistically).

So far, it's late September and I have 4 interviews and 4 rejections. The interviews are at two well-respected mid tier schools/two mid-low tier schools. They didn't even discuss my honor code violation at a few of my interviews. If they did mention it, it was only a brief question. So for all that say all IA = the kiss of the death, you are wrong. Good luck!

 

[efle]

a lot of people (Adcoms included) more or less agree that IA = instant death

So for all that say all IA = the kiss of the death, you are wrong.

I've seen cheating/academic integrity IA = instant death.

Things like IA for underage with booze, or you moved a chair from the common area into your dorm room, etc can be mitigated like you say - passage of time with a clean record otherwise and the right attitude when explaining it !

 

[Goro]

My school has accepted at least one person that I can remember with a background like OP...so it seems that theft can be forgiven. it will depend upon having the right interviewer and having, as OP states, an exemplary record since the incident, and owning the infraction as well.

But we have little tolerance for cheaters, or those guilty of crimes against persons.

 

[candbgirl]

Congrats. Let us know when that first acceptance arrives. It could be soon.


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[LizzyM]

Yes, let us know when you get an offer of admission. In the meantime, I would strongly urge students to avoid theft from other students. That is a kiss of death; having university property in your dorm room might be forgivable. Time will tell. But like most academic dishonesty, stealing from fellow students (bikes, electronics, academic resources) will put a big hurt on you.

 

[efle]

Do we know if that was the final reason why all 4 interviews ended in 4 rejections ?

I think he means 4 schools have invited to interview and 4 others have already informed him he's rejected.

 

[BurritoKiller]

I think he means 4 schools have invited to interview and 4 others have already informed him he's rejected.

This^. Rejected at 4 schools so far, interviewing at 4 schools so far, haven't heard from the others. The point is if I can get II, it doesn't automatically spell doom.

 

[BurritoKiller]

Yes, let us know when you get an offer of admission. In the meantime, I would strongly urge students to avoid theft from other students. That is a kiss of death; having university property in your dorm room might be forgivable. Time will tell. But like most academic dishonesty, stealing from fellow students (bikes, electronics, academic resources) will put a big hurt on you.

Accepted today at my "safety" and waitlisted at my top choice. Still have 2 interviews to go, hoping for a few more. But still ecstatic to have an acceptance at an allopathic school.

 

[BurritoKiller]

Where did you get accepted?


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

Unfortunately for the sake of anonymity, I won't disclose specific school info. But as of today I have been accepted at two US MD schools and waitlisted at two others. I have an interview coming up at another school. Two of my interviews are at USNWR top 50s (both on the east coast). I still haven't heard back from a dozen or so other schools, although I think most of those are silent rejection places.

While it is far from over, I really cannot complain about this cycle. I absolutely believe the IA has hurt me at many places, but beggars can't be choosers. Some of the schools I interviewed at receive 7,000 - 10,000 applications. So, with a big red flag on my application, I felt incredibly fortunate to be picked for an interview over that many people. In hindsight my application probably would've benefited from a gap year or two (more time to bolster ECs and separate myself from the IA) but I will still be matriculating at a US MD school come fall!