Institutional Action

[kroniesrus65]

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Hey guys,

I'm pretty sure this question has been asked a million times, but I've been searching through the forums and can't find anything and I really don't wanna get screwed here.

Long story short, I was a freshman and got caught with alcohol in the dorms. There's nothing on my transcript and no police stuff either, but there is a record with the housing department. I have nothing else on my record. I had to meet with some housing person and I got put on housing probation for a few months. I didn't have to meet with honor court or anything like that. Is this an institutional action? The other IA's I've seen are academic dishonesty so I'm not quite sure. I'm leaning towards reporting this to be honest, but I'm scared this may kill my app even though it's so minor. I know I'm a fairly average applicant, so I really don't want to give any schools a reason to throw my app in the trash. Obviously, if this doesn't count I would like to leave it off cause the instructions are pretty vague, and no where on the notice that I received does it say that I have an Institutional Action, only an "alcohol warning". Will reporting this kill my application? @LizzyM @Faha

 

[Robin-jay]

Hey guys,

I'm pretty sure this question has been asked a million times, but I've been searching through the forums and can't find anything and I really don't wanna get screwed here.

Long story short, I was a freshman and got caught with alcohol in the dorms. There's nothing on my transcript and no police stuff either, but there is a record with the housing department. I have nothing else on my record. I had to meet with some housing person and I got put on housing probation for a few months. I didn't have to meet with honor court or anything like that. Is this an institutional action? The other IA's I've seen are academic dishonesty so I'm not quite sure. I'm leaning towards reporting this to be honest, but I'm scared this may kill my app even though it's so minor. I know I'm a fairly average applicant, so I really don't want to give any schools a reason to throw my app in the trash. Obviously, if this doesn't count I would like to leave it off cause the instructions are pretty vague, and no where on the notice that I received does it say that I have an Institutional Action, only an "alcohol warning". Will reporting this kill my application? @LizzyM @Faha

1. Call university "student conduct" center.
2. Ask the dean there if you have anything on your record
3. If he says yes, then you probably have to report.
4. Take a deep breathe, this IA is minor, may not even be asked at the interview.

 

[kroniesrus65]

1. Call university "student conduct" center.
2. Ask the dean there if you have anything on your record
3. If he says yes, then you probably have to report.
4. Take a deep breathe, this IA is minor, may not even be asked at the interview.

Thank you! I'll try to do that, but I attempted to contact people at many offices and they all just gave me the round a bout, so I don't know what to do. Does your #4 imply that it won't really affect what interviews I get? I'm fully prepared to explain the situation in a humble way, but I'm scared IA's are sort of like GPA screening where if you have one it just gets tossed

 

[kroniesrus65]

1. Call university "student conduct" center.
2. Ask the dean there if you have anything on your record
3. If he says yes, then you probably have to report.
4. Take a deep breathe, this IA is minor, may not even be asked at the interview.

Also, in the application, what should I say for 1325 characters? Should I just explain what happened, and then express regret?

 

[Goro]

Also, in the application, what should I say for 1325 characters? Should I just explain what happened, and then express regret?

And most importantly, own it.
these types are violations are common and innocuous.

 

[Robin-jay]

Thank you! I'll try to do that, but I attempted to contact people at many offices and they all just gave me the round a bout, so I don't know what to do. Does your #4 imply that it won't really affect what interviews I get? I'm fully prepared to explain the situation in a humble way, but I'm scared IA's are sort of like GPA screening where if you have one it just gets tossed

I know all universities run slightly different, but your university should have an office dedicated to student conduct. When you ask them if anything is on your record, what do they say?

In my experience, I've seen several people get in with alcohol IA's such as yours.

I've seen people get in with 3+ institutional actions, and of the three, one was where he punched a hole in his dorm room.

I'm not sure if you have to report or not. Think of it this way, if the medical school calls your student conduct department, would they say you had that charge?

Also, in the application, what should I say for 1325 characters? Should I just explain what happened, and then express regret?

What I would do:

1. Own it, don't give any excuses.
2. Don't downplay it, but also show how it has made you a better person.
3. I would talk about the success of what you did afterwards (maybe talk about your responsibilities you had since the incident) and how you didn't do it again.

 

[kroniesrus65]

I know all universities run slightly different, but your university should have an office dedicated to student conduct. When you ask them if anything is on your record, what do they say?

In my experience, I've seen several people get in with alcohol IA's such as yours.

I've seen people get in with 3+ institutional actions, and of the three, one was where he punched a hole in his dorm room.

I'm not sure if you have to report or not. Think of it this way, if the medical school calls your student conduct department, would they say you had that charge?



What I would do:

1. Own it, don't give any excuses.
2. Don't downplay it, but also show how it has made you a better person.
3. I would talk about the success of what you did afterwards (maybe talk about your responsibilities you had since the incident) and how you didn't do it again.

Sounds good, thank you so much! I'm currently a coach, and one of the kids on my team posted a video of him drinking. Should I say something about how I calmly told him hat he shouldn't be doing that etc. ?

 

[Robin-jay]

Sounds good, thank you so much! I'm currently a coach, and one of the kids on my team posted a video of him drinking. Should I say something about how I calmly told him hat he shouldn't be doing that etc. ?

I'm not sure. Maybe one of the ADCOMs like Goro or LizzyM can comment on that. The major downside I can see to disclosing that coaching case would be if one of the ADCOMs asked how you dealt with the situation, and they could potentially disagree with how you handled it.

 

[kroniesrus65]

And most importantly, own it.
these types are violations are common and innocuous.

Can do, thanks so much! As part of talking about "how it made me a better person", I'm a football coach and one of the kids recently posted a pic of him drinking, and we came down on him, saying it was irresponsible, and how it could lead to him not getting scholarship offers etc. should I talk about this, or is it overkill?

 

[LizzyM]

Sounds good, thank you so much! I'm currently a coach, and one of the kids on my team posted a video of him drinking. Should I say something about how I calmly told him hat he shouldn't be doing that etc. ?

That really isn't necessary. Underage drinking is not a big deal in terms of med admissions. You did it, you learned a lesson, you have respect for the law. I don't think you need to add that you have become a scold.

 

[strugglebus2341]

As someone who had a similar experience, I remember how terrified I was entering the application process with the same IA! Got several interviews and will be matriculating to a top 10 school this year. Only one school directly asked me about it in an interview. Be humble and honest about it on your application, but otherwise don't worry about it! Everyone makes mistakes at 18 and schools are forgiving as long as you demonstrate maturity.

 

[kroniesrus65]

As someone who had a similar experience, I remember how terrified I was entering the application process with the same IA! Got several interviews and will be matriculating to a top 10 school this year. Only one school directly asked me about it in an interview. Be humble and honest about it on your application, but otherwise don't worry about it! Everyone makes mistakes at 18 and schools are forgiving as long as you demonstrate maturity.

Thanks so much for your reassurance!