IA, should i give up?

[moonlightbae]

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I was advised by the premed reddit to post this here. I just really need some opinions or advice. I received an IA for academic dishonesty fall of my junior year. This is what happened: one of my friends and classmates asked if I could help them figure out one of their take home exam problems. I helped them by using mine as an example and they straight copied my answer. I received half of my grade on that exam, but I still received an A in the class, and I had to attend an educational seminar on academic dishonesty. I definitely learned my lesson, that even if I am trying to help someone, it is still wrong. I am feeling very discouraged about applying to medical school as it seems like the consensus is that I am very ****ed. I feel so defeated and I dont know where to go from here. Should I give up?? Please be honest with me. Thanks

 

[puahate]

Damn bro! Hope you can get through this.

 

[moonlightbae]

Damn bro! Hope you can get through this.

Yeah, its a very unlucky and unfortunate situation. I am hoping I get mercy because I was just trying to help someone, not give my answer. I dont know thought, and I dont want to be seen as making excuses.

 

[gyngyn]

Have you taken any steps to try to have this removed off of your record completely? Maybe someone with experience with this can chime in.

IA's must be reported, even if they are removed from the record:

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.
https://students-residents.aamc.org...cle/sections-1-3-your-background-information/

 

[moonlightbae]

Have you taken any steps to try to have this removed off of your record completely? Maybe someone with experience with this can chime in.

You’ll find stories of people with a variety of legal/academic blemishes on their record still get in. At worst, you’ll have to write about it very maturely on appropriate portions of your primary and sometimes secondary apps. Some schools may be less tolerant of this sort of stuff, but I don’t think this precludes you from getting your entire app looked at.

As long as you can still put together a strong application, I don’t see this ending your chances at all.

Okay, thanks for the reply. I just assumed it didn't matter and you had to report it even if it is removed from your transcript. I am just hoping I get mercy for me not actively cheating, just trying to help someone whom I didn't know would go and cheat with my work. I feel like I can put together a very strong application. I am just very nervous.

 

[gyngyn]

I just assumed it didn't matter and you had to report it even if it is removed from your transcript.

You are correct.

 

[moonlightbae]

You are correct.

What are your thoughts on my specific situation?

 

[DokterMom]

As IAs go, I'm afraid I could not consider this a minor one. It was a take-home exam, not an assignment, and you chose to break the rules to help someone. Your heart was in the right place, but your head wasn't.

I'm not going to say medical school is a "never" -- but I'll suggest a detour for a few years. (Yes, years)

 

[Goro]

I was advised by the premed reddit to post this here. I just really need some opinions or advice. I received an IA for academic dishonesty fall of my junior year. This is what happened: one of my friends and classmates asked if I could help them figure out one of their take home exam problems. I helped them by using mine as an example and they straight copied my answer. I received half of my grade on that exam, but I still received an A in the class, and I had to attend an educational seminar on academic dishonesty. I definitely learned my lesson, that even if I am trying to help someone, it is still wrong. I am feeling very discouraged about applying to medical school as it seems like the consensus is that I am very ****ed. I feel so defeated and I dont know where to go from here. Should I give up?? Please be honest with me. Thanks

This is not as lethal as some IAs, but still concerning. At a minimum, you sure displayed poor judgement.

Explain it, own it and see how the app cycle shakes out. IF you don't apply, your rejection rate will be 100%. Sometimes one has to apply the app one has, warts and all.

 

[Belphegor]

Have you taken any steps to try to have this removed off of your record completely? Maybe someone with experience with this can chime in.

You’ll find stories of people with a variety of legal/academic blemishes on their record still get in. At worst, you’ll have to write about it very maturely on appropriate portions of your primary and sometimes secondary apps. Some schools may be less tolerant of this sort of stuff, but I don’t think this precludes you from getting your entire app looked at.

As long as you can still put together a strong application, I don’t see this ending your chances at all.

I’m 99.9% sure the primary app asks if you’ve ever had any disciplinary actions for things such as IA. Even if that’s some how removed from the transcript, you still have to report it. Won’t it still show up on a background check?

 

[moonlightbae]

As IAs go, I'm afraid I could not consider this a minor one. It was a take-home exam, not an assignment, and you chose to break the rules to help someone. Your heart was in the right place, but your head wasn't.

I'm not going to say medical school is a "never" -- but I'll suggest a detour for a few years. (Yes, years)

Why do you think this is not a minor one? I only ask, as someone just posted that they would consider it a minor one.

 

[moonlightbae]

I’m 99.9% sure the primary app asks if you’ve ever had any disciplinary actions for things such as IA. Even if that’s some how removed from the transcript, you still have to report it. Won’t it still show up on a background check?

It wouldn't be on a background check because it was an academic violation

 

[gyngyn]

What are your thoughts on my specific situation?

Are a senior or a graduate?

 

[moonlightbae]

Are a senior or a graduate?

I am a senior in college. Applying the upcoming cycle in 2019-2020. taking a gap year.

 

[moonlightbae]

Essentially, you’ll want to not make it a big deal in your app. Write about it, admit your mistake, make a quick sentence about what you learned, and let the rest of your app overpower it.

The app reader will likely spend 5-10 seconds on this part of your app in all reality, because (nearly) everyone has done something stupid like this in their life.

Good writing from you and good letters of recommendation from others can make this a complete non-issue.

Source: I had a misdemeanor on my app, wrote about it, have multiple II’s

Thank you for your insight. I am just nervous as people say that misdemeanors are less likely to ruin an app, but a academic violation will definitely raise red flags.

 

[Belphegor]

It wouldn't be on a background check because it was an academic violation

Ah, okay. I thought it would more than just criminal stuff.

If you use a committee letter from your school’s premed committee it may be mentioned there that you had an IA.

 

[Belphegor]

Essentially, you’ll want to not make it a big deal in your app. Write about it, admit your mistake, make a quick sentence about what you learned, and let the rest of your app overpower it.

The app reader will likely spend 5-10 seconds on this part of your app in all reality, because (nearly) everyone has done something stupid like this in their life.

Good writing from you and good letters of recommendation from others can minimize damage from this.

Source: I had a traffic misdemeanor on my app, wrote about it briefly, have multiple II’s

Traffic misdemeanors probably aren’t as serious as an IA such as OP’s tho. Especially since his is still kind of recent.

 

[gyngyn]

I am a senior in college. Applying the upcoming cycle in 2019-2020. taking a gap year.

Given the recency of the offense, I'm afraid this would be a non-starter at my school. I'm sorry.
Other schools (especially in other states, with relatively few applicants) may see things differently.

 

[moonlightbae]

Given the recency of the offense, I'm afraid this would be a non-starter at my school. I'm sorry.
Other schools (especially in other states, with relatively few applicants) may see things differently.

What are your recommendations that I do?

 

[gyngyn]

What are your recommendations that I do?

Own it. Describe what happened. Depending on your state of residence, you may need to apply to more target schools than usual. More time would also help.