Institutional Action

[yungdolph]

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I have recently been accepted to a medical school, but i forgot to mention in my primary/secondary about my "institutional action" because I forgot about them because they happened 2+ years ago. They were from my roommate having weed in our room freshman year, and an argument with my roommate sophomore year. No other issues since and I am currently in my first gap year out of undergrad. I am wondering if these are considered institutional actions because when I went to my student services office at my undergrad, the student conduct coordinator said that they were not institutional action because I was found not responsible and no further action happened. I am confused if I should report them since the student conduct at my school says they're not IA and I don't want to have any chances of ruining my acceptance because I forgot to report at the beginning of the cycle.

 

[yungdolph]

I have recently been accepted to a medical school, but i forgot to mention in my primary/secondary about my "institutional action" because I forgot about them because they happened 2+ years ago. They were from my roommate having weed in our room freshman year, and an argument with my roommate sophomore year. No other issues since and I am currently in my first gap year out of undergrad. I am wondering if these are considered institutional actions because when I went to my student services office at my undergrad, the student conduct coordinator said that they were not institutional action because I was found not responsible and no further action happened. I am confused if I should report them since the student conduct at my school says they're not IA and I don't want to have any chances of ruining my acceptance because I forgot to report at the beginning of the cycle.

Also, for more information, there was a "report" written, which stated that I was not responsible, but I was told they would not show up on a background check by my conduct officer.

 

[HomeSkool]

That's a sticky situation because you're supposed to disclose any and all IAs, even if they've been expunged. I recommend you reach out to your school and tell them what you've told us. Be honest and forthcoming -- you spaced it on disclosing this earlier because it was several years ago, wasn't related to your own conduct, and was dismissed by the university -- and provide the documentation absolving you of culpability. This IA doesn't indicate any significant moral deficit and I would be absolutely stunned if your school were to rescind your offer of acceptance.

@Goro, @gyngyn, @Med Ed, @gonnif, what do you think?

 

[freedoctor17]

Your post makes me wonder why you'd even think to mention this. It sounds like it had nothing to do with you. If your roommate cheated on an exam you wouldn't report it so if they had weed and got in trouble for it but you were had nothing to do with it why would you report that... I mean your own school told you it was not an institutional action, i don't understand why you think it is.

 

[Goro]

I have recently been accepted to a medical school, but i forgot to mention in my primary/secondary about my "institutional action" because I forgot about them because they happened 2+ years ago. They were from my roommate having weed in our room freshman year, and an argument with my roommate sophomore year. No other issues since and I am currently in my first gap year out of undergrad. I am wondering if these are considered institutional actions because when I went to my student services office at my undergrad, the student conduct coordinator said that they were not institutional action because I was found not responsible and no further action happened. I am confused if I should report them since the student conduct at my school says they're not IA and I don't want to have any chances of ruining my acceptance because I forgot to report at the beginning of the cycle.

Better safe than sorry. I can't see how this would, in any way, backfire on you if you were to disclose this now, especially with documentation from your school that you were found not responsible and no further action happened. Just end a short note explaining to the Admissions dean.

 

[LizzyM]

I have recently been accepted to a medical school, but i forgot to mention in my primary/secondary about my "institutional action" because I forgot about them because they happened 2+ years ago. They were from my roommate having weed in our room freshman year, and an argument with my roommate sophomore year. No other issues since and I am currently in my first gap year out of undergrad. I am wondering if these are considered institutional actions because when I went to my student services office at my undergrad, the student conduct coordinator said that they were not institutional action because I was found not responsible and no further action happened. I am confused if I should report them since the student conduct at my school says they're not IA and I don't want to have any chances of ruining my acceptance because I forgot to report at the beginning of the cycle.

If there is ever any doubt that something is an IA, AAMC advises the applicant to check with the institution. OP did that and was told that the institution took no action against him. Seems to be a open & shut case of "no IA" and the OP should go in peace with no worries and no need to report this to any medical school.

 

[Med Ed]

That's a sticky situation because you're supposed to disclose any and all IAs, even if they've been expunged. I recommend you reach out to your school and tell them what you've told us. Be honest and forthcoming -- you spaced it on disclosing this earlier because it was several years ago, wasn't related to your own conduct, and was dismissed by the university -- and provide the documentation absolving you of culpability. This IA doesn't indicate any significant moral deficit and I would be absolutely stunned if your school were to rescind your offer of acceptance.

@Goro, @gyngyn, @Med Ed, @gonnif, what do you think?

Agree with my learned colleagues, above. If a representative of the school says no IA occurred, I would feel completely justified in not reporting.

 

[AliBabaMD]

If there is no record of it on your transcript, please leave this alone. Even US Pres (Barack Obama and George Bush) smoked weed. Not the end of the world. Just focus on the positive stuff. You are doing great and remember they don't need to know everything that is not pertinent! Now if it was recorded on your transcript, then you must report. PM me if you have other questions.

best wishes,
AB