How will Undergrad problems affect my res/licensure?

[osteohopeful09]

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I'm going to keep this short.

In undergrad I was prosecuted for academic dishonesty (plagiarism). I accepted the punishment, worked my hardest to redeem myself, and by the grace of God I am now in medical school.

Now, as I begin my med career, I wonder how this past discretion will come back to haunt me in residency and beyond.

Will it?

thank you.

 

[Smurfette]

It *could* affect obtaining a state license. The questions asked on the forms vary by state, but many ask about any probations or other discretions along your career path. Pretty much all will ask about any problems in med school and residency training. Some may not specifically ask about undergrad, others may be vague in the wording, and still others will want every single thing spelled out for them. If you do need to disclose it, 1. never lie (you will lose your license undoubtedly) 2. provide a brief description of what happened and 3. make sure to make it clear it was a long time ago and it never happened again. This may be good enough for some state boards, but others may want more info or to have a hearing to discuss it before issuing you a license.

You don't need to disclose it if they do not ask...but tread carefully as you don't want anyone thinking you're being deliberately deceptive.

As far as residency programs, I cannot remember if the undergrad academic honesty or probation question is asked in ERAS. It probably is. The advice above still applies---be honest, explain what happened, and show you learned from your mistake.

 

[osteohopeful09]

Thank you smurfette. I am no stranger to explaining my story, and how I've grown since then, so I will remain truthful and open.

 

[JackADeli]

I'm going to keep this short.

In undergrad I was prosecuted for academic dishonesty (plagiarism). I accepted the punishment, worked my hardest to redeem myself, and by the grace of God I am now in medical school.

Now, as I begin my med career, I wonder how this past discretion will come back to haunt me in residency and beyond.

Will it?

thank you.

I wish you the best of luck. I am somewhat surprised you got into med-school. Med-school is where most find the "bottle neck". As you get further along, residency and licensing often ask less and less about undergrad.

I also very much doubt you will have any problem with licensing if your doing just fine during med-school. They may ask something (don't recall such questions) on license app. To which, if asked you will check "yes" and then write a few sentences of explanation of your youthful indiscretion BEFORE medical school. I don't foresee it holding up the license by itself.

 

[jh2006]

With all due respect to the above posters, I don't see how this would ever be an issue again once you got into medical school. Getting into medical school had to have been your biggest hurdle. Plagairism is an academic or honor code infraction. The OP did not violate state or federal laws and was never convicted of anything in a court of law. Why would this even be reportable to state medical boards or residency programs? This is not the same as having a criminal record and should never be thought of as such.

 

[JackADeli]

With all due respect to the above posters, I don't see how this would ever be an issue again once you got into medical school. ...The OP did not violate state or federal laws and was never convicted of anything in a court of law. Why would this even be reportable to state medical boards or residency programs? This is not the same as having a criminal record and should never be thought of as such.

It doesn't so much matter what type of violation as much as what the specific state licensing board asks on the application. As noted, I doubt the issue will be a "problem". I don't know the questions on all state licensing apps. But, it may very well come up on a licensing app. He would likely just have to answer "yes" to the specific question and write a couple sentences explaining it as a indescretion before maturing and getting into med-school.

It will just depend on the specific state and their specific nuances. I can tell you some states do have some peculiar questions you and I may think are not relavent. That doesn't matter. The issue would be to assure honesty and complete accuracy. An issue like the one the OP described, if asked, is unlikely to hurt his licensing if all else is good. But, if asked and then lie or fail to disclose a required item turns a minor app response into a big deal.

 

[osteohopeful09]

Yes, I do not want the thread to derail. smurfet and jackadeli gave good sound advice, and I shall heed it.

Having done some research, the eras app doesn't ask for undergraduate/non-professional school violations, and the state I'm looking for is the same.

This thread has served it's purpose, thanks all.

 

[scpod]

With all due respect to the above posters, I don't see how this would ever be an issue again once you got into medical school....Why would this even be reportable to state medical boards or residency programs? This is not the same as having a criminal record and should never be thought of as such.

From the medical license application in Florida:

"Have you ever been dropped, suspended, placed on probation, expelled, requested to resign from, or otherwise acted against by any school, college, university, internship,residency or other training program? [ ] YES [ ] NO
(If “yes” explain on a separate sheet, providing accurate details. See instructions for required documentation)"

According to the instructions, you also have to have the school write a letter regarding the event as well.

So, yes it can come up. I'm sure some other states might do the same thing.