I used the template of another another student to fill out my lab report as a first semester sophomore. The student's name was on the document and I did not notice (I know I was stupid). The work was all mine, but the template was his, so I was given a 0 on the assignment and still managed to make an A in the class. If I do not report this IA when I am applying for medical schools, what happens? If I report the IA I am afraid of not being accepted anywhere. I would rather take my chances and just not disclose the IA (it doesn't appear on my transcript) unless every school checks up on student's disciplinary record after acceptance. I go to a TX school and will most likely be applying to TX medical schools, if that makes a difference. Has anyone gotten into MD programs with an IA they didn't disclose?
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Can I be dishonest and still get into medical school?
What will happen if I am dishonest and I am caught being dishonest?
Do people who are dishonest get into medical school? True confessions, please.
Frankly, if you just state what is in bold and add the name and course number of the course (so that anyone who cares can see that you got an A), you should be fine. If you lie, you could be toast.
What will happen if I am dishonest and I am caught being dishonest?
Do people who are dishonest get into medical school? True confessions, please.
Frankly, if you just state what is in bold and add the name and course number of the course (so that anyone who cares can see that you got an A), you should be fine. If you lie, you could be toast.
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They become president just fine.
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If the only penalty that you received was a 0 on the respective assignment during the course, and simply that, you do not need to report that.
Did you receive any penalties or consequences or warnings from your academic institution?
Did you receive any penalties or consequences or warnings from your academic institution?
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Doesn't sound like an IA?
I was told that it was a part of my diacplinary record that I was given a warning and a 0
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So that would mean it's on your transcript.
It's not on my transcript, but it's a part of the confidential record the dean's office has. I've heard they only check if you mark yes for IA, and I'm willing to take the risk unless they are known to check through and ask for every student's disciplinary record.
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While you are correct, medical schools may not have access, it is best to list it as an IA as @LizzyM explained earlier.
You never know what could happen. @Goro has mentioned before that often times students that forgo reporting these kinds of IA's are often caught, usually through a letter of recommendation another professor has written: "X applicant has improved so much since X IA that occurred a while back..."
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I already have a seat in a medical school, in the faculty lounge.
Some schools will require a letter from your dean asking for the contents of your disciplinary record. The AMCAS instructions are very clear about what must be reported. This is something that must be reported.
Some schools will require a letter from your dean asking for the contents of your disciplinary record. The AMCAS instructions are very clear about what must be reported. This is something that must be reported.
Keep in mind: 50% of the major party candidates in the general election for President are elected. Less than 50% of all applicants to medical school are selected for matriculation. So what you might get away with as a Presidential candidate won't fly in med school admissions. 😉
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Like LizzyM stated, some schools will ask for a Dean's Letter once you're accepted to make sure you haven't received an IA. I have to fill one out for a school this cycle.
I suggest contacting or speaking with the Dean's office to double check if it was actually reported. If the Dean's office says nothing is on your record or transcripts, then I wouldn't report it to medical schools. If they say it is on your record, you'll have to disclose.
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I had a really similar situation like this many years ago when I was in undergrad. I let a friend look at a take home quiz and apparently he copied some stuff verbatim. I received a zero on the assignment but managed to pull an A- in the class because it was like 2.5% of the grade. I had to go meet with the dean about it. It wasn't on my transcript but was in my school record.
I even posted about it on SDN many years ago but I forgot my account name. I really struggled with the decision because many users on this forum were negative and said I basically have no chance of getting into med school with an IA on my record. Many people recommended that I give up on medicine and think about other careers. I ultimately decided to report it because I didn't want to take the chance of omitting it and schools finding out later. I got 6 or 7 total interviews from MD schools (some places didn't even ask about the incident, but I tried to be sincere about it when they did), 2 acceptances and ended up at mid-tier school. My other stats were nothing spectacular (~3.7 GPA, 34 mcat, probably below average extracurriculars), so it is definitely possible to be accepted with an IA on your record.
To answer your other question, I also personally know someone from my undergrad who collaborated on a chemistry lab report and got caught. He ended up not reporting it on his application and ended up at an Ivy league med school. Good luck with your decision.
I even posted about it on SDN many years ago but I forgot my account name. I really struggled with the decision because many users on this forum were negative and said I basically have no chance of getting into med school with an IA on my record. Many people recommended that I give up on medicine and think about other careers. I ultimately decided to report it because I didn't want to take the chance of omitting it and schools finding out later. I got 6 or 7 total interviews from MD schools (some places didn't even ask about the incident, but I tried to be sincere about it when they did), 2 acceptances and ended up at mid-tier school. My other stats were nothing spectacular (~3.7 GPA, 34 mcat, probably below average extracurriculars), so it is definitely possible to be accepted with an IA on your record.
To answer your other question, I also personally know someone from my undergrad who collaborated on a chemistry lab report and got caught. He ended up not reporting it on his application and ended up at an Ivy league med school. Good luck with your decision.
Thank you so much for this feedback. I've also seen a lot of negative things about IAs on SDN and hence was super nervous. I have stats similar to yours and my school does committee letters. I'm afraid that they will mention it, so I think I will report it and hope for the best. Thanks again.
Hi!! I've had a few people reach out with questions. I don't check SDN very often, so I wanted to leave this here for anyone in a similar position.
I did disclose my IA because I was super scared about getting an A and then getting it rescinded because they found out. I had a LizzyM of a 70.5 to give you an idea of where I stood as an applicant. I applied right after my junior year and got 3 interviews but, I didn't get in to any of the schools. I think however this is because I applied super late in the cycle. I applied right after my senior year again and applied very early this time. I ended up with 9 MD interview invites, I went to 7 and of that got into 3 schools. It's definitely doable. Even in the interviews where it was bought up, the interviewers were very understanding and didn't make a large deal about it. They get it that people make mistakes and grow! I hope this helps those of you lurking because I know a lot of people say that it's an absolute death sentence, which it is not! Learn and grow and you'll make an excellent doctor one day.
I did disclose my IA because I was super scared about getting an A and then getting it rescinded because they found out. I had a LizzyM of a 70.5 to give you an idea of where I stood as an applicant. I applied right after my junior year and got 3 interviews but, I didn't get in to any of the schools. I think however this is because I applied super late in the cycle. I applied right after my senior year again and applied very early this time. I ended up with 9 MD interview invites, I went to 7 and of that got into 3 schools. It's definitely doable. Even in the interviews where it was bought up, the interviewers were very understanding and didn't make a large deal about it. They get it that people make mistakes and grow! I hope this helps those of you lurking because I know a lot of people say that it's an absolute death sentence, which it is not! Learn and grow and you'll make an excellent doctor one day.
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Thanks for coming back and sharing your results.
Not all IA's are created equal. Some are given little to no attention (e.g. minor violations related to alcohol or dorm rules, mistakenly having your phone on during an exam, etc.), some are scrutinized and excused (e.g. minor academic misconducts), and others can torpedo even the best applications (e.g. violence against persons, cheating with malicious intent, etc.). The more time between the incident and application the better.
On the spectrum of IAs, doing your own work but using someone else's lab template is not a deal-breaker, as you experienced during your application cycles, and were counseled by @LizzyM ("if you just state what is in bold... you should be fine"). That your only punishment was a 0 on the assignment was likely also viewed favorably, as your actions were not deemed grievous by your institution.
Personally, the more concerning thing about your original post wasn't the academic misconduct itself, but rather your initial instinct to cover it up. I am glad that you ultimately chose to do the right thing (even if it was done for self-preservation) and have since learned and grown from this experience. You are likely applying to residency soon. Best of luck with your interviews and match this coming year.
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