How much does a background check reveal?

[Quentin Quinn]

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With all the to-do about criminal convictions, credit checks, and the like here in pre-allo as of late, I am curious about these background checks on another level. While I have certainly had a few minor legal/moral stumbles myself back in the day, I am actually more concerned about the actions of my relatives, and how this may affect my potential admittance to med school.

I know this sounds like a total troll, but I have close relatives with ties to white-collar organized crime, along with a severely screwed-up family structure (parents each divorced twice). So just how much DOES a background check reveal... is the knowledge limited strictly to the person in question, rather than family members? I would hate to have an interviewer with my familial history in front of them!

 

[CaMD]

With all the to-do about criminal convictions, credit checks, and the like here in pre-allo as of late, I am curious about these background checks on another level. While I have certainly had a few minor legal/moral stumbles myself back in the day, I am actually more concerned about the actions of my relatives, and how this may affect my potential admittance to med school.

I know this sounds like a total troll, but I have close relatives with ties to white-collar organized crime, along with a severely screwed-up family structure (parents each divorced twice). So just how much DOES a background check reveal... is the knowledge limited strictly to the person in question, rather than family members? I would hate to have to have an interviewer with my familial history in front of them!

Regardless of whatever a criminal background check may bring up (I have no idea! I doubt, though, that your relatives actions are in your file. That's just too screwed up, you can't be responsible for your family.) I don't think your interviewer would ever have this info. Most schools they just have your AMCAS or part of AMCAS and/or secondaries.

 

[Psycho Doctor]

With all the to-do about criminal convictions, credit checks, and the like here in pre-allo as of late, I am curious about these background checks on another level. While I have certainly had a few minor legal/moral stumbles myself back in the day, I am actually more concerned about the actions of my relatives, and how this may affect my potential admittance to med school.

I know this sounds like a total troll, but I have close relatives with ties to white-collar organized crime, along with a severely screwed-up family structure (parents each divorced twice). So just how much DOES a background check reveal... is the knowledge limited strictly to the person in question, rather than family members? I would hate to have to have an interviewer with my familial history in front of them!

you are you and not any of your relatives...their crimes are not your crimes. it would not be in your file and can not be held against you.

You should have used it in your essay about how you overcame personal struggles, or how you overcame a major stress in your life. That would put it in a positive light. 😛 😉