I made a mistake

[bschwen1]

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Three years ago I was caught bringing beer into my college dorm. I was young and stupid. The college RA's wrote me up and I got alcohol probabtion until I was 21. I was wondering how bad that is going to look on an application. I am not a big drinker now and wasnt really then. Just stiupid. Everything else is good in my record. Good grades good MCAt and I am even president of a campus church organization. My LOR are also very good. My overall character is not tht of a irresponsibel partier. Please give me your honest opinions. thanks

 

[DHMO]

It won't show up on your med school application. I got written up many times in college and it was never brought up. Only if the police were involved, then you will have to mention it, but not if only the school was involved.

 

[Doctor Bagel]

It won't show up on your med school application. I got written up many times in college and it was never brought up. Only if the police were involved, then you will have to mention it, but not if only the school was involved.

but aren't you asked to reveal information like this, so if you don't report it, you cross into that whole lying thing. as for looking bad, i doubt it's an issue at all. getting a dui is bad -- sneaking beer into a dorm room is something i would bet every college student did (i know i did). you just had the misfortune of getting busted.

 

[ambernikel]

I would verify with AACOMAS as to whether or not you have to report this on your application. Besides if it was just the RA's writing you up then it sounds more like a dorm thing than the school. Was security or the police involved? That may make all the difference, so I would check first. You should be able to just call and ask without giving them any personal information.

 

[MasterShakeDO]

You have to report it. There is a specific question on the AACOMAS asking if your student standing ever changed and to explain. Academic and social probation qualify under that. It's not a big deal and I'm sure your advisor will think that as well. It would even be beneficial to have someone from your school testify that it was one silly mistake and not reflective of you as a whole. Like exlawgrrl sasid, there are people with DUIs or worse to worry about.

 

[christinejane19]

Three years ago I was caught bringing beer into my college dorm. I was young and stupid. The college RA's wrote me up and I got alcohol probabtion until I was 21. I was wondering how bad that is going to look on an application. I am not a big drinker now and wasnt really then. Just stiupid. Everything else is good in my record. Good grades good MCAt and I am even president of a campus church organization. My LOR are also very good. My overall character is not tht of a irresponsibel partier. Please give me your honest opinions. thanks

ok ok... if this was a "getting written up" episode involving your RA or RD, don't report it... i was written up many times over the course of 4 years, and was placed on probation both freshman and junior years, and i never reported it...im sure most people who applied to medical school have been written up at some point... you only have to report something if a police report was filed.. the schools dont call the student life department to find out if you've been caught with a couple cans of beer ... don't go looking for trouble

of course, if it involved the police, by all means, do report...

 

[Echinoidea]

You know, with the right interviewer, this could actually HELP your application...it's just such a non-issue, that you both probably could have a laugh about it. I would'nt worry about it at all. If it gets brought up in your interview, just take a mature attitude and be lighthearted about it.

 

[jsmittyund03]

Holy crap. I didn't realize that some schools were so strict about underage drinking. I was an RA and I didn't write up a single person ever. Our rectors insinuated us to be extremely leniant on those who weren't of legal age, because we weren't there to enforce the law but rather to keep the students safe. Everyone knows that freshmen are going to get their hands on alcohol one way or another, and our rectors figured it's better to avoid the Injuries/DUI's/DIP's/and of course UIP's by allowing alcohol in the dormitories (I'd even buy them beer for their parties. Illegal? Absolutely. Safer than them drinking off campus and driving home wasted? Without a doubt). Well, anyways, like everyone else said, getting written up by the RA or University won't go on your public record. Don't sweat it.

 

[(nicedream)]

Are you kidding me??? Do NOT report this on your application. I must have gotten written up every weekend, but it's a joke.

 

[MasterShakeDO]

Are you kidding me??? Do NOT report this on your application. I must have gotten written up every weekend, but it's a joke.

There's a difference between being just "written up" and being put on alcohol probation like the OP stated. Was there a meeting with your Dean or advisor, and was this placed on your record? My understanding is that being placed in any kind of probationary period shows up in your file. The cops don't need to be involved for the school to put something there. We need more info from the OP to give informed advice.

 

[okayplayer]

I went through this exact dilemna and decided to report my alcohol violation. It is a part of my conduct record at the school, but does not show up on a transcript...so basically no med school would have ever found out, because I have to sign over the release of my file (it is confidential). But by the time I did all of the asking around about whether I had to report it (including to my pre-med advisor) and had to give my name and everything, the head of conduct at my school strongly advised me to report it.

As to whether or not it's been a negative, I doubt it has too much. I was granted interviews at all of the DO schools I applied to and was accepted to the three that I went to interviews for. I was also granted two MD interviews (haven't heard back from them yet). I was not asked about the incident at any of the five interviews.

To a certain extent I wonder if I would have had 1 or 2 more MD interviews if I hadn't reported it (after seeing people with the exact same numbers get interviews at schools I applied to), but I will chalk that up to chance.

I guess it's good to be honest, right? 🙂

 

[bschwen1]

There's a difference between being just "written up" and being put on alcohol probation like the OP stated. Was there a meeting with your Dean or advisor, and was this placed on your record? My understanding is that being placed in any kind of probationary period shows up in your file. The cops don't need to be involved for the school to put something there. We need more info from the OP to give informed advice.

I was placed on alcohol probation and a formal letter was written from the dean of housing to my parents so i guess it would be in some file i suppose. Hope that gives enough detail thnaks!

 

[FS-Pro]

What the hell does "alcohol probation." It says that you were put on this until you were 21, well, isn't everyone on alochol probation until they are 21? Am i missing something here?

 

[OnMyWayThere]

Did you get arrested? Did you get a misdemeanor?

 

[bschwen1]

Did you get arrested? Did you get a misdemeanor?

No misdeameanor, It went through the student court, no police involved, just the school. alcohol probation consisted of me going through a 20 class on "the dangers of alcohol" thats it.

 

[OnMyWayThere]

No misdeameanor, It went through the student court, no police involved, just the school. alcohol probation consisted of me going through a 20 class on "the dangers of alcohol" thats it.

Then DO NOT REPORT it. Trust me. If you have doubts, email AACOMAS. And if you are worried it'll come back later, keep a copy of their response that says do not report it.

 

[(nicedream)]

Don't report it, how would medschools find out? It's not like your undergrad takes all the papers out of your file and sends them off. You request a transcript and that's it.

 

[jgl1980]

Don't report it, how would medschools find out? It's not like your undergrad takes all the papers out of your file and sends them off. You request a transcript and that's it.

HEL L I got arrested, spent the night in jail and tried to bribe the cop and I am IN!!!!!!!!

heheheheheehe

It is funny how you look back on life and just laugh!!!!

If you don't have a criminal record or a misdinemor (can't spell) no need to bring it up!!!

 

[Pigg-O-Stat]

Do not mention it in your application. Nobody is going to do an in-depth background check on your dorm life. You will just be putting a big red flag on your app for no reason.

 

[notnarcsDO]

I don't think that any school would take the time to research it (they're way too busy already), but I do recall one of my secondaries asking me about it. I think that it was LECOM(don't quote me on that, I'm not sure). But I do remember one with a series of questions about different types of disciplinary actions and you had to check it off if you had it, then describe it and sign it. School violations was one on the list.

 

[bschwen1]

If they ask about school violations on my secondary app should i put it on there?
Thankyou so much for everyones reponses...Ive been worried about this for a while.

 

[(nicedream)]

If they ask about school violations on my secondary app should i put it on there?
Thankyou so much for everyones reponses...Ive been worried about this for a while.

It depends on the wording of the question. It may say "have you ever been put on academic probation for any reason?" and the answer would be no. It may say "have you ever been subject to disciplinary action by any school attended?" in which case, personally, I would still say no. Sounds like your probation was more of a residence hall issue and not one of the school-at-large.

 

[notnarcsDO]

If they ask about school violations on my secondary app should i put it on there?
Thankyou so much for everyones reponses...Ive been worried about this for a while.

I would just be honest....better safe than sorry. You never know if one of your reccommenders wrote something in their letters justifying that it was an honest mistake and it is not an indicator of your character. Not to mention, most college students get busted at least once, and there is nothing wrong with that. You didn't do anything terribly wrong, and you are a one time offender. You are a human being, and they know that. I personally think that they would respect the fact that you owned up to it. It shows a lot of integrity on your part.

Regardless, it is up to your judgement. If I had an offense, I would list it, but that is just me. Most secondaries give you an opportunity to explain the situation. I have numerous friends that listed their offenses and were still accepted at the schools they wanted. Good Luck, and dont sweat it!

 

[OSUdoc08]

Three years ago I was caught bringing beer into my college dorm. I was young and stupid. The college RA's wrote me up and I got alcohol probabtion until I was 21. I was wondering how bad that is going to look on an application. I am not a big drinker now and wasnt really then. Just stiupid. Everything else is good in my record. Good grades good MCAt and I am even president of a campus church organization. My LOR are also very good. My overall character is not tht of a irresponsibel partier. Please give me your honest opinions. thanks

They aren't going to care. Most medical students and doctors are alcoholics.

If you try to cover it up, you will screw yourself over. Just be honest.

 

[BklynWill]

I don't believe any school admin would want to impede your progress in becoming a doctor and may actually be quite reasonable if you sit down and talk with them privately. I think you should schedule a meeting with your judicial affairs admin and explain your situation. After discussing your growth throughout undergrad the admin may decide to expunge your record. It's been done many times before and is DEFINITELY worth a shot!

 

[OnMyWayThere]

Just don't list it and move on with your application... 🙄

 

[Pigg-O-Stat]

Bro, Do Yourself A Favor And Relax. Nobody In Admissions Cares About This Any More Than They Would Care About A Parking Ticket. They Will Not Ask And They Will Not Know. I Was Written Up At Many Times In College And It Didn't Even Cross My Mind When I Did My Apps. Save Yourself The Stress And Focus On Your Essays.