How will this IA affect my chances?

[podc]

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I'm probably getting a minor disciplinary action for alcohol. This disciplinary action is basically wiped the moment I graduate so I have no idea if I should even report it--how would med schools even be able to learn about it? But I’ve looked through SDN and it seems like underage drinking by itself means literally nothing to med schools. However, I feel like my case might be different as my violation is hosting a recruitment event with alcohol for an organization. I know this sounds something like a frat rush event but it really wasn’t like that at all. The event was extremely small and lowkey, everyone was there voluntarily (there were other non-alcoholic events), and the event was not focused on the alcohol at all--I don’t think anyone even drank more than the equivalent of a shot. But in spite of all that, there was a possibility that underaged students could’ve felt pressured to drink when they didn’t want to. Looking back, I myself was scared of situations like these when I was a rising freshman so I can sympathize with that. So I accept responsibility for what happened. I just want to know how this will be looked at. If this impacts my chances, what could I do between now and my application to compensate? Any advice would be highly appreciated.

 

[jhmmd]

I’m probably getting a minor disciplinary action for alcohol. This disciplinary action is basically wiped the moment I graduate so I have no idea if I should even report it--how would med schools even be able to learn about it? But I’ve looked through SDN and it seems like underage drinking by itself means literally nothing to med schools. However, I feel like my case might be different as my violation is hosting a recruitment event with alcohol for an organization. I know this sounds something like a frat rush event but it really wasn’t like that at all. The event was extremely small and lowkey, everyone was there voluntarily (there were other non-alcoholic events), and the event was not focused on the alcohol at all--I don’t think anyone even drank more than the equivalent of a shot. But in spite of all that, there was a possibility that underaged students could’ve felt pressured to drink when they didn’t want to. Looking back, I myself was scared of situations like these when I was a rising freshman so I can sympathize with that. So I accept responsibility for what happened. I just want to know how this will be looked at. If this impacts my chances, what could I do between now and my application to compensate? Any advice would be highly appreciated.

How exactly does this happen? Were you informed that you would be granted forgiveness/medical amnesty/etc.?

 

[Goro]

I’m probably getting a minor disciplinary action for alcohol. This disciplinary action is basically wiped the moment I graduate so I have no idea if I should even report it--how would med schools even be able to learn about it? But I’ve looked through SDN and it seems like underage drinking by itself means literally nothing to med schools. However, I feel like my case might be different as my violation is hosting a recruitment event with alcohol for an organization. I know this sounds something like a frat rush event but it really wasn’t like that at all. The event was extremely small and lowkey, everyone was there voluntarily (there were other non-alcoholic events), and the event was not focused on the alcohol at all--I don’t think anyone even drank more than the equivalent of a shot. But in spite of all that, there was a possibility that underaged students could’ve felt pressured to drink when they didn’t want to. Looking back, I myself was scared of situations like these when I was a rising freshman so I can sympathize with that. So I accept responsibility for what happened. I just want to know how this will be looked at. If this impacts my chances, what could I do between now and my application to compensate? Any advice would be highly appreciated.

How old were you when the infraction occurred?

How long ago was this?

You will have to report this and own it. The bolded above are all excuses.

 

[jhmmd]

Infraction is occurring right now, I'm applying in 3-4 years based on gap year(s).

Honestly not sure the exact mechanisms but based on what I've been told and heard from other people, it seems to be a school policy for minor cases.

Well I'd want that in writing

 

[candbgirl]

Infraction is occurring right now, I'm applying in 3-4 years based on gap year(s).

Honestly not sure the exact mechanisms but based on what I've been told and heard from other people, it seems to be a school policy for minor cases.

I’d be really careful. Unless it’s in a student handbook, or you received something in writing from the Dean or the Student Judicial Board , plan on it being part of your record. If it turns out that it isn’t that’s a great bonus. But you still have to report it. What year are you in?

 

[gyngyn]

Institutional Action: Medical schools need to know if you were ever the recipient of any institutional action resulting from unacceptable academic performance or a conduct violation, even if such action did not interrupt your enrollment, require you to withdraw, or does not appear on your official transcripts due to institutional policy or personal petition.

Sections 1-3 of the AMCAS® Application: Your Background Information

Guide for sections 1-3 of the AAMC's American Medical College Application Service® (AMCAS®) in which applicants will provide their background information.

students-residents.aamc.org

 

[voxveritatisetlucis]

I get that I have to report it, I was leaning on doing so anyway. But how severe does everything think this is?

Just put it this way, if you don’t get in it definitely won’t be because of this. Obviously I don’t know much about your application but I think you’ll be fine. Adcoms here can probably speak at greater length

 

[Goro]

Just put it this way, if you don’t get in it definitely won’t be because of this. Obviously I don’t know much about your application but I think you’ll be fine. Adcoms here can probably speak at greater length

Agreed. Just don't screw up again, OP.

 

[podc]

Bump to this thread: I've recently received the outcome for this: it's going to be a warning without anything else (e.g. no training, community service, etc.). After hearing about this, I have tried to access my own institutional record. This is so minor that the conduct office will not even report my own IA to me, much less any other institution. Overall, I'm very grateful for this outcome. However, I am still reporting this so I have two additional questions.
1: How detailed should I be/how many sentences should I spend explaining this on my application?
2: I know from previous responses that this will not block me from getting into med school in general. But I might want to do research, and I really want to get into a t20 med school because of that. I know these schools are impossible enough to get into already so I'm worried how they'll view this. Will my IA make it noticeably harder? Comparing a version of me w/o this IA to me with this IA, how disadvantaged am I right now?

 

[Goro]

Bump to this thread: I've recently received the outcome for this: it's going to be a warning without anything else (e.g. no training, community service, etc.). After hearing about this, I have tried to access my own institutional record. This is so minor that the conduct office will not even report my own IA to me, much less any other institution. Overall, I'm very grateful for this outcome. However, I am still reporting this so I have two additional questions.
1: How detailed should I be/how many sentences should I spend explaining this on my application?
2: I know from previous responses that this will not block me from getting into med school in general. But I might want to do research, and I really want to get into a t20 med school because of that. I know these schools are impossible enough to get into already so I'm worried how they'll view this. Will my IA make it noticeably harder? Comparing a version of me w/o this IA to me with this IA, how disadvantaged am I right now?

Sometimes you have to apply with the app you have, warts and all, and see how the cycle plays out. If you don't apply, your rejection rate will be 100%.
Your mindset should be on getting into A medical school, not merely the 30ish schools that make up the "Top 20".

 

[podc]

Sometimes you have to apply with the app you have, warts and all, and see how the cycle plays out. If you don't apply, your rejection rate will be 100%.
Your mindset should be on getting into A medical school, not merely the 30ish schools that make up the "Top 20".

I of course want to go to med school first and foremost, no matter what school that is. I personally don't think you should be a doctor if the prospect of going to a bottom tier med school is enough to make you not want to be premed. I just want to temper my expectations, which I think is especially important once I actually start building a school list. If this IA is going to have a noteworthy effect on my chances, I want to know about it.

 

[voxveritatisetlucis]

I of course want to go to med school first and foremost, no matter what school that is. I personally don't think you should be a doctor if the prospect of going to a bottom tier med school is enough to make you not want to be premed. I just want to temper my expectations, which I think is especially important once I actually start building a school list. If this IA is going to have a noteworthy effect on my chances, I want to know about it.

It will have absolutely 0 effect.

 

[podc]

It will have absolutely 0 effect.

Knowing your history with disciplinary/legal action wouldn't you have a bias with light IAs like this? I appreciate any input but I want to know that I can trust your perspective especially as someone who's just another (albeit very experienced) premed.

 

[MyOdyssey]

Knowing your history with disciplinary/legal action wouldn't you have a bias with light IAs like this? I appreciate any input but I want to know that I can trust your perspective especially as someone who's just another (albeit very experienced) premed.

Do you have the stats (GPA/MCAT) that would put you in range for a T20 medical school? (This range can vary depending on whether you're URM or not.)

 

[LizzyM]

You have a legal right under federal law to access any records the school keeps. Say "FERPA" and ask to see your disciplinary record.

You do have to report this "warning" even if that is all it was. A warning for serving alcohol at an event on campus (or at an event off campus that attracted fellow students) and that included minors is not going to be a big deal but failing to report it could be considered dishonesty which is a very big deal. Report it along the lines of this:

"In October 2021, I hosted a small, low-key recruitment event for the [organization] during which alcohol was available for attendees. There was a possibility that underaged students could’ve felt pressured to drink when they didn’t want to. The university issued me a warning that such events are prohibited and I have taken this warning very seriously."

 

[podc]

You have a legal right under federal law to access any records the school keeps. Say "FERPA" and ask to see your disciplinary record.

You do have to report this "warning" even if that is all it was. A warning for serving alcohol at an event on campus (or at an event off campus that attracted fellow students) and that included minors is not going to be a big deal but failing to report it could be considered dishonesty which is a very big deal. Report it along the lines of this:

"In October 2021, I hosted a small, low-key recruitment event for the [organization] during which alcohol was available for attendees. There was a possibility that underaged students could’ve felt pressured to drink when they didn’t want to. The university issued me a warning that such events are prohibited and I have taken this warning very seriously."

Now that you mention it, it definitely makes sense that I should be able to see everything on my record. I guess what happened when I asked for it was the office treated the request like it was coming from someone that isn't me. But that's very reassuring to hear, thank you!

 

[voxveritatisetlucis]

Now that you mention it, it definitely makes sense that I should be able to see everything on my record. I guess what happened when I asked for it was the office treated the request like it was coming from someone that isn't me. But that's very reassuring to hear, thank you!

Sometimes it will eventually get reported even if it’s not on an “official record.” For example, mine shows up on no transcripts or official school documents. But on “Dean certification” forms that schools need, it is reported.

 

[yuhh]

i have an ia for alcohol in early college. i have 7 interviews and 2 A’s so far. my app is decent/strong everywhere else tho