Little Problem...

[AFIndependant2k]

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Hey guys, as you can see I'm new here. I just had a question about getting admitted into pharmacy school. The school that I go to has an Early Assurance program, basically if you declare pharmacy your major directly out of high school and maintain a 3.5 GPA for 2 years, you get admitted. However I was recently charged with a violation, not misdemeanor, for possesion of marijuana... The court adjourned the case, putting me on ACD (adjournment in contemplation of dismissal) for 12 months. I was just curious, how do you think this charge on an otherwise clean background will affect my chance of getting into pharmacy school/possibly getting licensed? Thanks.

 

[tootoo30]

Hey guys, as you can see I'm new here. I just had a question about getting admitted into pharmacy school. The school that I go to has an Early Assurance program, basically if you declare pharmacy your major directly out of high school and maintain a 3.5 GPA for 2 years, you get admitted. However I was recently charged with a violation, not misdemeanor, for possesion of marijuana... The court adjourned the case, putting me on ACD (adjournment in contemplation of dismissal) for 12 months. I was just curious, how do you think this charge on an otherwise clean background will affect my chance of getting into pharmacy school/possibly getting licensed? Thanks.

I used to be a probation officer, if this is your first charge after the twelve months apply for an expungement. This will seal the record and you will basically have a clean record. No one will have access to the information.

HTH

 

[AFIndependant2k]

Well the thing is, I already applied to the school, just had my interview about 2 months ago, and looks like I am on course to get the 3.5... Any idea if the fact of me being on ACD until next December will play a part in the admissions or affect me at all if/once I get in? Thanks though.

 

[SGPharmD]

Since drug violations/convictions are extremely important in this field I would say that the most important thing would be to find out if this drug violation would affect the possibly of getting your license because there is really no point in going to pharmacy school if after four years you aren't able to be licensed. Therefore, what I would do is contact the Board of Pharmacy of the state that you plan to go to school in or work in after you graduate and ask them about it, contact a few if you need to since some states have different laws. I'm sure you won't have to give your name, just ask a hypothetical question. If you are still able to get licensed in a situation like that, then I would worry about the schools. Schools want to know as soon as something happens so I doesn't look like you are lying. The problem will occur when you get accepted to a pharmacy school. Most of them do criminal background checks on their incoming students and if you didn't tell them about this situation they will think you were trying to hide it from them and it will look even worse. So I would say that you should inform the schools of the sitution honestly and tell them how it affected you and how you have grown and matured from it. You will look better for coming to them before they found out about it, and for using it as an experience to grow from.

 

[AFIndependant2k]

Well since I already had my interview and sent in my application, how exactly do you think I should go about contacting the school if I am still able to be licensed? Just call them up and tell them what happened? This whole situation sucks... but if the charge gets expunged after the year, supposidly it can not be seen by anyone so therefore would it not affect the licensing problem? I guess I'm getting ahead of myself, I should just wait until Monday to call the board up.

 

[tootoo30]

I don't know if they run a background check to get your intern license but if they only run a check when you finish pharmacy school then you should be fine once you get the expungement. Once again once its expunged no one has access to your records!

HTH

 

[wbrown]

Call the state board. They are the ones who make the decisions, so you should ask them instead of the school whether you'll be eligible for licensure.

 

[SGPharmD]

I don't know if they run a background check to get your intern license but if they only run a check when you finish pharmacy school then you should be fine once you get the expungement. Once again once its expunged no one has access to your records!

HTH

I believe pharmacy school run background checks upon your acceptance, they do ask about any prior criminal activity on the applications so it would make sense that they follow up on that. But they for sure run a background check before licensure.

 

[omnione]

I believe pharmacy school run background checks upon your acceptance, they do ask about any prior criminal activity on the applications so it would make sense that they follow up on that. But they for sure run a background check before licensure.

I know Nebraska did as I had to get checked for drug-related stuff. I believe that the form only asked for convictions however.

To the OP, I'd ask the school as you don't want your automatic offer pulled for assuming that your action would fly.

 

[AFIndependant2k]

Yea, I think I'm going to call my advisor today and ask her what she thinks... But I am still sort of unclear, this isn't a conviction right? So would this have any affect on the licensure if they check for convictions, etc.?

 

[AFIndependant2k]

Hey, so I called the Board today and they said it wouldn't affect me since it was a violation and they only ask you about misdemeanors/felonies when you apply to get licensed. So do you guys think that the school would treat it the same way, or do you think it would still be best to let the school know before they run the background check and see for themselves? (Do violations appear on background checks?) Thanks.

 

[tootoo30]

Go to your local police department and pay for your background check its usually about ten dollars, that way you can see for yourself what appears when someone orders your background check.

HTH

 

[kittycatblues]

I think you should talk to the school you interviewed at. If they want you they will do what they can to get you the correct information. Most likely they will run a background check after you are admitted so it is better not to hide it.