Misdemeanor Question

[rule out normal]

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I will be applying to medical school at the age of 26 or 27 after I complete my post-bacc. When I was 20, I received a DUI. That conviction fell under the Youthful Offender Act, which seals that record from view from the public. This is different than having it expunged or erased, as it still exists. My question is this: : Do applications ask for misdemeanors, and also, would my unique circumstance require me to disclose this conviction? If so, would the fact that the charge was 6 years old be a mitigating circumstance? Thanks everyone.

 

[njbmd]

I will be applying to medical school at the age of 26 or 27 after I complete my post-bacc. When I was 20, I received a DUI. That conviction fell under the Youthful Offender Act, which seals that record from view from the public. This is different than having it expunged or erased, as it still exists. My question is this: : Do applications ask for misdemeanors, and also, would my unique circumstance require me to disclose this conviction? If so, would the fact that the charge was 6 years old be a mitigating circumstance? Thanks everyone.

Most applications do not ask about misdemeanors only felony convictions. However, on a criminal background check (now done by most medical schools), the specifics of your convicton would not show up but the fact that you HAVE a juvenile conviction would. In other words, a "flag". Would this be something that would keep you out of medical school? I doubt it, especially if nothing else is there as an adult. People are given the benefit of the doubt when it comes to being a juvenile. Depending on who does the background check, it might not even "flag" since it was a misdemeanor.

njbmd🙂

 

[rule out normal]

Thanks for your info. That leads to my follow up question:
Will that "flag" of a general conviction be something I will have to explain? I know that it will hurt my application, but could it possibly be offset with loads of volunteer work during my 4 semesters of post-bacc work?

 

[notdeadyet]

However, on a criminal background check (now done by most medical schools), the specifics of your convicton would not show up but the fact that you HAVE a juvenile conviction would.

If I'm not mistaken, the OP would have a conviction as an adult. S/he was 20 at the time.

 

[rule out normal]

If I'm not mistaken, the OP would have a conviction as an adult. S/he was 20 at the time.

I believe that is true. Are they just going to throw away my application? Will they ask me about it in my interview if I get to that point?

 

[notdeadyet]

Are they just going to throw away my application? Will they ask me about it in my interview if I get to that point?

Look at it this way: you were convicted of a DUI six years ago (by the time you apply). Is this a black mark? Yes. Will schools toss your application because of it? No, not if you have a very strong application. If you have a borderline application and they're on the fence about you, a DUI conviction would probably be a reason to say "nay".

Will it come up in an interview? Probably. But if you get to the interview, they're presumably interested in you and it's how you state your case. Have a good mature story to tell.

Drinking infractions are one thing. DUIs are a whole different kettle of fish. If a medical school thinks that you'd be prone to have one again, I think they'd be insane to accept you. So what can you do to convince them it will never happen again? Counselling, community service, volunteering at MADD or somesuch, etc. You should have a better story to tell than "Whew! That DUI was bad news. That'll never happen again." Because this is what all folks who get DUIs say and many of them do a repeat performance.

Work hard to make your application more competitive than the next person and learn from your mistake and you will do fine. A DUI may keep you out of some med schools, but not all and all you need is one.

 

[rule out normal]

Look at it this way: you were convicted of a DUI six years ago (by the time you apply). Is this a black mark? Yes. Will schools toss your application because of it? No, not if you have a very strong application. If you have a borderline application and they're on the fence about you, a DUI conviction would probably be a reason to say "nay".

Will it come up in an interview? Probably. But if you get to the interview, they're presumably interested in you and it's how you state your case. Have a good mature story to tell.

Drinking infractions are one thing. DUIs are a whole different kettle of fish. If a medical school thinks that you'd be prone to have one again, I think they'd be insane to accept you. So what can you do to convince them it will never happen again? Counselling, community service, volunteering at MADD or somesuch, etc. You should have a better story to tell than "Whew! That DUI was bad news. That'll never happen again." Because this is what all folks who get DUIs say and many of them do a repeat performance.

Work hard to make your application more competitive than the next person and learn from your mistake and you will do fine. A DUI may keep you out of some med schools, but not all and all you need is one.

This is a great response. I would like some input on my fitness:

B.A., Political Science, 3.3
Little extracurricular stuff while in undergrad
DUI, sealed from public

After undergrad:
-6 months work at law firm
-One semester of law school, left in good standing
-3.9 GPA in post-bacc premed
-Heavy volunteer work, employment in medical related field
30+ on MCAT

Is there a chance?

 

[notdeadyet]

Is there a chance?

I'm sure you'll get lots of folks on SDN that will get back to you with the "what are my chances" question. Your academic background is good. With a DUI conviction, be prepared for some doors to slam shut, but again, not all will. Just be honest on your application and have a good story for when you're asked.

 

[wook]

This is a great response. I would like some input on my fitness:

B.A., Political Science, 3.3
Little extracurricular stuff while in undergrad
DUI, sealed from public

After undergrad:
-6 months work at law firm
-One semester of law school, left in good standing
-3.9 GPA in post-bacc premed
-Heavy volunteer work, employment in medical related field
30+ on MCAT

Is there a chance?

Yes....I wouldn't dwell too much on your previous conviction. Apply and wow them with your experience and enthusiasm.

Wook

 

[rule out normal]

I left law school because i had no clue that a post-bacc program existed until I started law school. I also knew that I wanted to do anything but a law career, and I didn't want to spend $100k or more on a degree and life i didn't want. The only reason I gave up on my Genetics major the first semester of my freshman year in college was that I was too immature and thought they were "too hard", which is wrong, given the amount of studying I did. That information opened a whole new door for me that the opportunity is not over to achieve my dream. Will the admissions committees see my reasoning for leaving law school?

 

[njbmd]

I left law school because i had no clue that a post-bacc program existed until I started law school. I also knew that I wanted to do anything but a law career, and I didn't want to spend $100k or more on a degree and life i didn't want. The only reason I gave up on my Genetics major the first semester of my freshman year in college was that I was too immature and thought they were "too hard", which is wrong, given the amount of studying I did. That information opened a whole new door for me that the opportunity is not over to achieve my dream. Will the admissions committees see my reasoning for leaving law school?

It is unlikely that one misdemeanor DUI is going to keep you out of medical school if your grades/MCAT does not. If your reasons for leaving law are not understandable, it is up to you to make sure that you explain them. The is a good exercise in clear communication.

njbmd🙂

 

[rule out normal]

Also, I have learned that even if my DUI is supposedly sealed, I still have to disclose that information. What is the point of the sealing of the offense then? Can I do ANYTHING? Can I get it expunged after a certain number of years? I don't want to waste my familiy's money on post-bacc if this is going to keep me out of med school anyway.

 

[wook]

Also, I have learned that even if my DUI is supposedly sealed, I still have to disclose that information. What is the point of the sealing of the offense then? Can I do ANYTHING? Can I get it expunged after a certain number of years? I don't want to waste my familiy's money on post-bacc if this is going to keep me out of med school anyway.

As stated previously, an offense of this nature is probably not going to keep you from getting into med school unless you have shown repeated inappropriate behaviors/criminal offenses. So, don't dwell on it and give it your best shot.


Wook

 

[agr285]

Also, I have learned that even if my DUI is supposedly sealed, I still have to disclose that information. What is the point of the sealing of the offense then? Can I do ANYTHING? Can I get it expunged after a certain number of years? I don't want to waste my familiy's money on post-bacc if this is going to keep me out of med school anyway.

Whether or not you can expunge it depends on the laws in the state that you were convicted in. Considering that most states have cracked down on DUI offenders in recent years, I would say with 99% certainty that there is no way to completely expunge it. I think medical schools understand that people do stupid things when they are young. I'm not saying they aren't going to ask you about it, but I don't think it will completely kill your application if you have good numbers and ECs. The fact that it happened six years ago really works in your favor. Someone else suggested to do community service, volunteer for MADD, etc. to show that you learned your lesson, but the only way to really prove that you learned from your mistake is to simply not repeat the same mistake. If you want to join MADD then by all means, but I wouldn't do it just for the medical school applications because it will look phony. If I were an adcom, I'd wonder why you all of a sudden found the inspiration to be part of MADD. Why wasn't that interest there six years ago? I think six years is a long enough time period to convince people that you learned your lesson.

 

[Kluver Bucy]

Also, I have learned that even if my DUI is supposedly sealed, I still have to disclose that information. What is the point of the sealing of the offense then? Can I do ANYTHING? Can I get it expunged after a certain number of years? I don't want to waste my familiy's money on post-bacc if this is going to keep me out of med school anyway.

I don't know if med schools will even ask about a DUI - probably just felonies unless this has changed since I applied many years ago. You'll probably get into a US Allopathic school if you focus your applications.

But you will have to report the DUI to medical boards when you get a license. They may bring you in and make you feel like crap, but if they catch you covering it up, your license will be permanently revoked.

My advice is to go completely dry now and forever, join MADD and never ever ride in a car where someone has an open bottle.

 

[lilnoelle]

I don't see how this issue would even come up until after acceptance. AMCAS asks about felonies, not misdemeanors. Schools don't do a criminal check until after they've offered an acceptance and you've sent in your deposit. At that time they would do a criminal check.

 

[viostorm]

I think in Texas they unseal your records as a minor, or at least so was stated when they recently did a background check for us (I'm trying to remember).

DUI does not disqualify you from being a physician. God know there are a ton of docs that have DUI. Things like sexual offender, et cetera may.

I would check with the board of medical examiners in your place about the background check that is required. If they do unseal your records, then obviously it should be disclosed.

I think you will find a great deal of forgiveness about youthful indiscretions as long as you can show that it is in the past.

Also, I would do a complete background check on yourself and see what comes up. Talk with a police officer or someone else to see how you can do the most complete check possible.

It seems the purpose of the youthful offender act is to prevent these things from haunting you the rest of your life.

Safest thing is to disclose it obvoiusly. If you decide not to, I'd be very careful and find out exact what people can find out. You would hate to start medical school and then be expelled for lying on your app.

 

[jadetree]

Can you get your record expunged?
I had a misdemeanor charge, that was dropped to a violation. It still shows up on my record so I have done the work myself to get it expunged.
In my case I had to purchase paperwork (motion of dismissal, affidavit)
get them notarized and send my finger prints to the DA.

I think that you do have to disclose a felony charge, some of my applications asked if I had been convicted for anything other than a moving violation. If your record is expunged, then you can act as though the charge never existed.

I think you are worrying too muc, at this stage, about getting in or not. If you do have to report that you were convicted for a DUI, worry about it then. Yes, it isn't something that is easily ignored. But I do think you can get it expunged as long as you haven't been arrrested for anything else AND it is not a felony.

Good luck!

 

[jadetree]

hmm, i just realized that DUI issues are probably different than a violation. Which is basically like a ticket for doing something stupid.

Find out (do research with your local court house, they usually have an expungement office) and good luck!

 

[gotmeds?]

If your record is expunged, then you can act as though the charge never existed.

Sorry, but this isn't true. I know someone who got kicked out of med school for not disclosing an expunged conviction. Usually, the expungement does not apply to government licensure (you still have to disclose it). Even though you technically aren't required to disclose an expunged conviction on a medical school application, I'd be really careful about not doing so. Expunged convictions WILL show up on a background check (they will show up as having been expunged -- they are not erased).

 

[rule out normal]

I ran an extensive (and expensive) background check on myself. The DUI did not show up. SOMEONE out there knows about it though 🙂

I think in Texas they unseal your records as a minor, or at least so was stated when they recently did a background check for us (I'm trying to remember).

DUI does not disqualify you from being a physician. God know there are a ton of docs that have DUI. Things like sexual offender, et cetera may.

I would check with the board of medical examiners in your place about the background check that is required. If they do unseal your records, then obviously it should be disclosed.

I think you will find a great deal of forgiveness about youthful indiscretions as long as you can show that it is in the past.

Also, I would do a complete background check on yourself and see what comes up. Talk with a police officer or someone else to see how you can do the most complete check possible.

It seems the purpose of the youthful offender act is to prevent these things from haunting you the rest of your life.

Safest thing is to disclose it obvoiusly. If you decide not to, I'd be very careful and find out exact what people can find out. You would hate to start medical school and then be expelled for lying on your app.

 

[helpfuldoc2b]

I ran an extensive (and expensive) background check on myself. The DUI did not show up. SOMEONE out there knows about it though 🙂

Just disclose it, I doubt it will have the negative effect your anxiety is letting you believe it does. To be on the safer side on the information part ask the professionals, email admissions officers of medical schools you want to apply to, even if you email them with a fake email and name to get the information, they are the true professionals who know the real answers. I think alot of people on here just speculate or have a friend of a friend or heard a friend, etc... Get it from the horse's mouth. Good luck...