misdemeanor recklass driving

[TryinToBeADoc]

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Hey,

I got a wet reckless driving, which is a recklass driving with alcohol involved, in California. Can I say no to conviction of misdemeanor on my application? I don't know how it will show up on the criminal background check, but if it does and I already said no to misdemeanor conviction, does anyone know how likely my acceptance will be revoked? If I write a genuine letter to the medical school explaining what happened that night and that I was not sure it was a misdemeanor but that I thought it was a very severe moving violation, will they take away my acceptance? What is the best way of keeping an acceptance to a medical school after they see that I have a recklass driving with an unspecified amount of alcohol and that I said no to misdemeanor conviction on my application? Please someone help me because I am really worried about this and I really want to know for reapplying if I should say yes to the misdemeanor conviction, instead of taking my chances and saying no and hoping for the school to understand my situation after they accept me. I don't want to kill my chances by saying yes to this, but I know if they find out after accepting me it will be really bad for me. I don't know what to do. Does anyone have experience in this or any advice?

Thanks

 

[ChemGrad08]

I would call the court to confirm but I'm pretty sure that any type of reckless driving is a misdemeanor that has to be reported.

 

[dog0]

You MUST admit to the misdemeanor conviction and don't deny the involvement of alcohol. The school is going to ask why you were arrested; tell them about the lane violation and then mention about the officer's suspicion of alcohol consumption. The school is going to find out, regardless. I had a similar experience, and the school I'll be attending spent 1 week deliberating whether or not to revoke my admission. Fortunately, they did not, but I had a lot of explaining to do and will have to meet with the Dean before Orientation.

PS. If you choose not to reveal why you were arrested, it's going to show up on your criminal background check.

 

[TryinToBeADoc]

So I should definitely say yes on my application with an explanation? Do I also have to say why I was arrested? If I say no and they find out about this, it is serious enough for me to get unaccepted? I mean, will they still want me even though I said no about this?

I'm assuming that dog0 said no on your application but you really had a misdemeanor conviction. If you don't mind me asking, what kind of misdemeanor was it? Was it alcohol and driving related? Was it worse/better than my situation?

Thanks

 

[TryinToBeADoc]

okay so how bad will my application look with a 3.45 from a really good university and a 34Q on the mcat, 15 good activities with 6 strong letters or rec, and EMT certified and working as an EMT, but got a wet recklass driving? Will schools be turned off (and if so which ones? if anyone knows of course)?

 

[notdeadyet]

okay so how bad will my application look with a 3.45 from a really good university and a 34Q on the mcat, 15 good activities with 6 strong letters or rec, and EMT certified and working as an EMT, but got a wet recklass driving?

Oh, a drunk reckless takes a good 6 or so points off the old MCAT. You still have a shot (everyone still has a shot) but you look MUCH worse than the all the other kids who didn't get drunk and drive their car like Pole Position.

If I understand your question correctly, you want to know what will happen if you fess up and what will happen if you lie.

If you tell the truth on your app and check the "yes" to being convicted of a misdemeanor, they will most definitely look to see what you were arrested for. Reckless driving is bad. Drunk reckless driving is a good bit worse. Schools are going to want to see that you've learned from your mistake, that you have a sense of accountability, and that sufficient time has passed that they can believe it won't happen again (it's hard to say "when I was young and foolish" for something that happened a year ago). A good few schools will look at your application and decide you're not worth the risk. But all you need is for one school to give you a shot.

If you lie, you will get caught. dog0 got extremely lucky in two ways. They caught him early and they forgave him. You should not expect such luck. Lying is the absolute worst thing to be guilty of in the med school game. There have been stories of folks getting kicked out of med school after a year or two, when schools have found out about convictions students didn't reveal. Some schools have to run background checks prior to rotations. If you get kicked out of a school for lying about a criminal conviction, I'd say odds are overwhelming that you will never become a doctor.

Your call.

Will schools be turned off (and if so which ones? )?

Reckless driving with ETOH? I'd say all schools will be turned off. The trick is to apply very, very widely and keep your fingers crossed that some will forgive you.

 

[dog0]

Oh, a drunk reckless takes a good 6 or so points off the old MCAT. You still have a shot (everyone still has a shot) but you look MUCH worse than the all the other kids who didn't get drunk and drive their car like Pole Position.

If I understand your question correctly, you want to know what will happen if you fess up and what will happen if you lie.

If you tell the truth on your app and check the "yes" to being convicted of a misdemeanor, they will most definitely look to see what you were arrested for. Reckless driving is bad. Drunk reckless driving is a good bit worse. Schools are going to want to see that you've learned from your mistake, that you have a sense of accountability, and that sufficient time has passed that they can believe it won't happen again (it's hard to say "when I was young and foolish" for something that happened a year ago). A good few schools will look at your application and decide you're not worth the risk. But all you need is for one school to give you a shot.

If you lie, you will get caught. dog0 got extremely lucky in two ways. They caught him early and they forgave him. You should not expect such luck. Lying is the absolute worst thing to be guilty of in the med school game. There have been stories of folks getting kicked out of med school after a year or two, when schools have found out about convictions students didn't reveal. Some schools have to run background checks prior to rotations. If you get kicked out of a school for lying about a criminal conviction, I'd say odds are overwhelming that you will never become a doctor.

Your call.

Reckless driving with ETOH? I'd say all schools will be turned off. The trick is to apply very, very widely and keep your fingers crossed that some will forgive you.

This guy is a f**ken tool. LOL; a reckless driving is bad? You don't even know the facts of this guy's case. For all you know, he could have ran a red light. How does that show poor leadership in the medical profession? I think almost everyone has comitted a traffic violation that can be considered 'reckless driving.' And who in the world are you to guessimate that a reckless driving is equivalent to -6 on the MCAT? You sure aren't an adcom; instead, you're a stupid troll. TryingToBeADoc, these posts are completely unncessecary on SDN. You cannot believe the responses I received for my thread! They were extremely discouraring. Why? You must understand that most individuals on SDN are those despisable *****s you hated from Organic Chemistry. THEY WILL DO ANYTHING TO BRING YOU DOWN! You might be at a slight disadvantage because of your convction and there will be applicants equally as qualified as you with a clean record, but that does not dismiss the notion that you worked equally as hard, if not harder, than those applicants to earn a spot in an upcoming class. Just be honest; it is against AMCAS policy for any school to deny you of an interview because of any convictions. However, they will show up on your criminal background investigations. Be honest about it and if anything is questioned during interviews, focused on what you have learned from your experiences.

And naw homie, I'm not lucky. You're telling me that all the hardwork I have done since highschool; the ACT and GPA I earned to matriculate in a respectable Undergraduate University; all the hardwork I put into Undergrad, should be disregarded for one stupid mistake? Are you going to that judgemental as a doctor? I cannot imagine the type of disregard you will have for your patients if they are drug addicts or ex-cons. Stupid troll.

Anyways, if I were you, just be honest. During your interviews, address the issues to the interviewers. If they don't condone a mistake like that, they aren't worth your time. It would be advantagegous, if you do some type of community service (maybe talking to young teens about the consumption of alcohol and driving) that shows you not only have learned from your mistakes, but are willing to suggest preventive measures for individuals your age.

PS. I was convicted of reckless driving and this was after being accepted into Medical School

 

[HumidBeing]

Let's treat each other's comments with respect, and not violate the Terms of Service by insulting other members.

 

[dog0]

Well when threads like this are created, OPs are looking for constructive criticism. All these subjective posts are ridiculous. If one doesn't personally know, or has been through a similar experience, it's unfair to offer advice. Most responses are extremely discouraging.

 

[Adam638]

As someone that got into numerous schools with a misdemeanor reckless driving, I will give you my two cents. You have to disclose it. If you don't its just going to be another thing you have to worry about for the next eight months and you're already going to be stressed enough. Does your state have any type of expungement for such crimes? It wouldn't be a bad idea to have look into. Sometimes attorneys can take care of first offenses. If not, you are just going to have to explain it. AMCAS gives you an area for an explanation. You need to convince them that it was a one time deal and won't happen again. Let them know how it has changed you, what you did to change things in your life, etc. They understand that kids do stupid things and mistakes happen. As far as the -6 on the MCAT, etc. , I don't see that happening. I would though apply to osteopathic programs as well to keep your school selection broad. Stop worrying, apply broadly, and be prepared to answer questions about it. I wasn't asked specifically about it by all the schools, but you may. Good luck.👍

 

[silas2642]

Hey,

I got a wet reckless driving, which is a recklass driving with alcohol involved, in California. Can I say no to conviction of misdemeanor on my application? I don't know how it will show up on the criminal background check, but if it does and I already said no to misdemeanor conviction, does anyone know how likely my acceptance will be revoked? If I write a genuine letter to the medical school explaining what happened that night and that I was not sure it was a misdemeanor but that I thought it was a very severe moving violation, will they take away my acceptance? What is the best way of keeping an acceptance to a medical school after they see that I have a recklass driving with an unspecified amount of alcohol and that I said no to misdemeanor conviction on my application? Please someone help me because I am really worried about this and I really want to know for reapplying if I should say yes to the misdemeanor conviction, instead of taking my chances and saying no and hoping for the school to understand my situation after they accept me. I don't want to kill my chances by saying yes to this, but I know if they find out after accepting me it will be really bad for me. I don't know what to do. Does anyone have experience in this or any advice?

Thanks

Well if you committed/were convicted of the misdemeanor, you would be very well advised to tell the truth on your application about it. They can and probably will revoke your acceptance if they found out that you lied to them. Not only that, but if they find out about this incident after you've matriculated even well into your medical school career, they can still give you the boot-- and you'll be in debt up to your eyeballs with no MD to pay it all off. I'd be up front about it from the start.

 

[Excelsius]

First, what do you mean by "alcohol involved"? Were you charged with DUI as well? You better check your record because if that's the case, then you have TWO misdemeanors. If you only have been charged with reckless driving with no DUI, then you should be in a much better shape because med schools will probably be much more interested in your drunk driving than driving over 100MPH.


Second, how long ago was this? In CA there is a law where you can purge misdemeanors I believe after one year. Depending on how the question is asked on AMCAS, you might not have to report it after your misdemeanor has been purged.

Third, you should consult with a lawyer right away. Not only he'll be able to tell you exactly what you have, but he might also advise you about reporting the case to AMCAS. If you were thinking, you would have gotten a lawyer when you were charged and he would easily get you out of reckless driving. It is very easy to do in CA - many jadges are lenient and will lower it to simple speeding (unless you were doing 180MPH or so).

For some reason your spelling of "recklass" twice made me think that your post is not serious.

 

[notdeadyet]

LOL; a reckless driving is bad? You don't even know the facts of this guy's case.

Yes, a reckless driving is bad. How bad? Depends on the adcom. But it's much worse than not having been arrested. Some adcoms will bother to learn the facts of the case. Other adcoms will look at a big stack of applicants with comparable scores and backgrounds without a conviction and just file 13 it.

How does that show poor leadership in the medical profession?

I didn't say that. Where are you getting this from?

It shows poor judgment. Reckless driving with alcohol. That's a bad conviction to have. It shows an incident of showing poor judgment and immature behavior while operating a big lethal car combined with being under the influence. Not good.

The OP has a shot, but he has to show a sense of accountability and that he's learned from his mistake. If he goes in there trying to give excuses why he went drinking and drove his car recklessly, he's sunk.

I think almost everyone has comitted a traffic violation that can be considered 'reckless driving.'

OP- this is exactly the wrong approach to take. When it comes up in interviews (and it willl come up), hold yourself accountable. Don't do the "everybody does it" cop out. It lacks maturity. Who does it is irrelevant. You were convicted and very, very few of your competitors were. Own up to it.

And who in the world are you to guessimate that a reckless driving is equivalent to -6 on the MCAT?

I was being somewhat facetious. I thought it was clear with saying it will take points off "the old MCAT". My apologies, my humor obviously didn't come through. Far from the first time.

There is no hard and fast rule for how a conviction history like that is going to affect his app. I'm just trying to guess how it would affect his application in my eyes. For me, looking at a candidate with his ECs, a 3.45/34 and a conviction for reckless driving with alcohol, if I took a look at another applicant with similar ECs, a 3.45/lower MCAT and a clean legal history, I'd personally probably consider them pretty comparable. Thinking of a conviction like this as knocking a few points off the MCAT is probably a good way to look at it, since most med-types tend to like looking at things quantitatively.

That's without meeting the cat. If I really got the impression it was a one time mistake completely out of his character, it would ding him less. If he pulled the "everybody does it/I got robbed", it would sink his app entirely.

You sure aren't an adcom; instead, you're a stupid troll.

I'm not an adcom. I'm a med student, but interview applicants for my med school. I'm only representing my own viewpoint. I'm not a troll, I just see things differently from you. And you might want to be careful about calling folks troll after being here for less than a month. You probably don't know who's who yet. It shows bad judgment.

 

[notdeadyet]

Just be honest; it is against AMCAS policy for any school to deny you of an interview because of any convictions. However, they will show up on your criminal background investigations. Be honest about it and if anything is questioned during interviews, focused on what you have learned from your experiences.

Good advice here ^^^. Remember:

1. Accountability. It was your fault. Not your buddy's. Not the system's. If you don't own up to it, you look immature. Kiss of death.
2. Learned from your mistake. If you haven't, what's to say you won't do it again.
3. Passage of time. You have little control over this one, but keep it in mind. If your app gets sunk this application cycle, give thought to working a couple of years (and keep working on your app) and applying again. I don't know when you were convicted, but having a few years since the conviction makes it much more believable when you talk about how much you've grown since then.

And naw homie, I'm not lucky. You're telling me that all the hardwork I have done since highschool; the ACT and GPA I earned to matriculate in a respectable Undergraduate University; all the hardwork I put into Undergrad, should be disregarded for one stupid mistake?

No, not at all. No one's talking about banning anyone from med school. But I am saying that stupid mistake's hurt apps. What about the guy who took the MCAT with the flu and did poorly? Should that undo his great ACT, GPA, volunteering, and lack of arrest record? No, but it will hurt his app. There's a small margin of error in this.

I've obviously hurt your feelings, and I apologize. If I sounded like I was judging anyone, that's my bad. I'm just trying to help the OP see realistically how his conviction of reckless driving with alcohol will be viewed. It will be viewed very seriously by most adcoms. If he treats it more lightly, it will hurt him. I'm trying to help him. I'm not telling him he can't succeed, but I am telling him his chance of success is going to very much correlate with how seriously he takes this.

Are you going to that judgemental as a doctor?

This is ironic on multiple levels. Anyway, I'm not judging the guy, I'm just trying to help show him the best way to deal with what's already done.

I cannot imagine the type of disregard you will have for your patients if they are drug addicts or ex-cons. Stupid troll.

I'm actually co-director of a medical clinic that caters specifically to IV drug users. Talk to me more about judgmental.

Anyways, if I were you, just be honest. During your interviews, address the issues to the interviewers. If they don't condone a mistake like that, they aren't worth your time.

If they don't condone a mistake like that, OP, you're done. So again, help them condone it. Be accountable and learn from your mistakes. Show, don't tell, that and you have a shot. Some schools will just summarily dismiss your app because of the arrest, but many will want to see how you play it, so it's up to you.

PS. I was convicted of reckless driving and this was after being accepted into Medical School

Very different situation. Much preferrable. You had the chance to meet an unbiased adcom and let them see you for who you were before you were convicted of reckless driving. The OP doesn't have this option. Adcoms will meet him with whatever inherent biases they have. He will have to overcome this and it will be much harder.

Again, OP, not impossible. You have some control in how you play it. Just don't treat it lightly.

 

[Excelsius]

dog0, notdeadyet may have some strong opinions, but he's not a troll. In fact, he is a moderator. Some of you guys here call people trolls without bothering to do a history check. It has happened to me as well and after some time this gets annoying. Try to attack the ideas, not the person.

I do agree with you that reckless driving may not necessarily be as bad and driving over 100MPH is not related to leadership skills. Many cops exaggerate your speed because it will be easier for them to win the case, especially if you're doing 90 and they bump it to 100, keeping in mind that you'll at least negotiate the misdemeanor down to 95 and pay a heavy speeding fine. This is why I said that the OP should have gotten a lawyer.

 

[notdeadyet]

First, what do you mean by "alcohol involved"? Were you charged with DUI as well? You better check your record because if that's the case, then you have TWO misdemeanors.

Good point. I assumed by the fact the OP didn't mention a DUI, that he was convicted of reckless driving with his record noting that alcohol was involved. Could be a bad assumption on my part.

If you only have been charged with reckless driving with no DUI, then you should be in a much better shape because med schools will probably be much more interested in your drunk driving than driving over 100MPH.

Agreed. Med schools are very funky about things that might smell like substance abuse problems. Drunk in public can be laughed off. Getting drunk and driving reckless: not so much.

Second, how long ago was this? In CA there is a law where you can purge misdemeanors I believe after one year. Depending on how the question is asked on AMCAS, you might not have to report it after your misdemeanor has been purged.

EXCELLENT point! I missed the fact that he was from California, a state that is very forgiving about minor crimes (but god help you with three felonies).

OP, check out this link. It talks about how you can get your charges dismissed.

If it hasn't been a year, you might strongly consider sitting out one cycle and letting a year pass. If you had trouble getting in this cycle, you'd be shooting yourself in the foot because you'd be reapplying to a bunch of schools that now know your legal history.

For some reason your spelling of "recklass" twice made me think that your post is not serious.

He's also guilty of reckless spelling. Though my spelling is pretty bad too. I also had to keep from typing "wreckless" but I realized that I shouldn't jump to that conclusion either.

 

[notdeadyet]

I do agree with you that reckless driving may not necessarily be as bad and driving over 100MPH is not related to leadership skills.

Where are folks getting the leadership thing from? dog0 mentioned that and I'm not sure where it comes from.

Bad driving doesn't say anything about leadership skills. Hell, nobody accuses Ted Kennedy of not being a fine leader. (sorry, couldn't resist...)

But driving badly enough to be eligible for reckless driving does demonstrate bad judgment, OP. There's no real way to play it differently. That is what you have to get past when you apply. You need to convey that your bad judgment on that night is not a good indication of your character. That you don't make bad judgment a habit. This is especially true when the reckless driving is combined with alcohol.

This thing may have been one solitary night in which TryingtoBeaDoc made a series of bad decisions. But it pays to keep mind that though this may be the case, some folks hearing about one conviction think "one time you got caught". Only you know if this is chronic behavior or a once-off, OP. You need to show that not only was it a once-off, but it was a once-ever.

 

[rockydoc]

OP: were you actually arrested or just told to show in court? I know in my state that traffic misdemeanors which you were not actually arrested and fingerprinted for do not show on any CBC.

What would you guys think about revealing a misdemeanor that doesnt show on a CBC? I mean, especially if it was just a traffic one, for which there was no actual arrest? Most people are ignorant that they even have a misdemeanor in this case. (im not necessarily talking about the OP's situation here ie. no alcohol involved)

 

[rockydoc]

You MUST admit to the misdemeanor conviction and don't deny the involvement of alcohol. The school is going to ask why you were arrested; tell them about the lane violation and then mention about the officer's suspicion of alcohol consumption. The school is going to find out, regardless. I had a similar experience, and the school I'll be attending spent 1 week deliberating whether or not to revoke my admission. Fortunately, they did not, but I had a lot of explaining to do and will have to meet with the Dean before Orientation.

PS. If you choose not to reveal why you were arrested, it's going to show up on your criminal background check.

Was yours for reckless driving? or something else....were you arrested?

 

[TryinToBeADoc]

Hey thanks for all your posts. I was arrested for a DUI because he was way too drunk to drive his car and I was in the best shape to drive. I wasn't originally designated to drive, but I volunteered to because he was throwing up and I thought it was time for us to go home. We should have gotten a cab, but I felt good to drive. His car has automatic headlights that turn on when the car is turned on. However, the automatic setting was turned off and I did not notice in the well-lit parking lot that the headlights to the car were off. Right when I got out of the parking lot, I got pulled over. I did a field sobriety test and was taken to the station. I had some alcohol in my system because I had a couple beers and got a lawyer. The lawyer reduced it to a wet reckless driving, which by CA law is a recklass driving with alcohol driving. I don't think what I blew on the breathilizer shows up on the DMW record. I was arrested for this Feb 2007. Applied to med schools last summer while I was trying to fight this. I said no last year and got 5 interviews (even though I had an academic dishonesty situation too). 5 interviews, 5 waitlists. Is academic dishonesty better or worse than a recklass driving with alcohol (basically 1 step below a DUI)?

This year, I'm not going to report the academic dishonesty thing because the records are sealed (3 years have passed) and plus i was never caught cheating. The Dean of my school has written a letter to back me up too. However, I have this misdemeanor now to report. I know it wasn't that long ago, but after I got arrested for this, I got a 3.9 for the next 4 quarters at a hard school with a difficult major (UCLA) and I studied to retake the MCAT (got a 34Q) while doing research and now I am going to work as an EMT for the next year while I reapply. I did some community service to talk to college students about this in AA meetings specifically for local college students. It's only been a year and a half since the arrest, but I am still going to apply and apply early. I really think I'll have a shot. I don't want to report this for the schools that don't do criminal background checks, just the schools that check (which are half of the schools I am applying to). Dog0 you give me hope. But I know that my app is tainted. That's why I want to say no on my primaries, and later send an email or a letter to the schools that check records updating them. I think this will give me a really good shot at the schools that don't check, and to the schools that check, I'm thinking of explaining what happened, and that I tried to get it sealed but I couldn't do it (if the time frame hasn't come yet, I have to check up on that) and that is why I am now reporting that I was arrested for suspicion of a DUI while driving but due to insufficient evidence (which is the real reason why the crime was reduced) the charge was dismissed to a reckless driving with alcohol involved because I had alcohol in my system but not enough for a DUI. Would it still be bad on my part to say no on my primaries, but then send a letter out to the other schools with a good explaination of my situation and why I said no? Or should I just do it on my primaries? What else can I do to better my situation with this reckless driving? Throughout this year, I am going to do research and work as an EMT. Will that help in showing my maturiy? I'm not going to play the "they robbed me" card, but that I had a lapse in judgement and learned the hard way from my mistake.

Sorry I know this **** is not well written. And for those people who love to correct spelling and grammer, I'm glad I was able to make you laugh at the way I wrote reckless. Keep the posts coming and help me out. I'm about to send out my primaries within the next few days and I want to know the best approach. Thanks

 

[StarStup]

I think you still need to report this on your primary app. If you send a letter later on saying that you really did have a misdemeanor it is not going to look good...the adcoms may wonder why you didn't put it on your app. And as someone else said...the schools will do CBC's when you are getting ready to do residency...you would hate to have that come up then. Just be honest and it seems like your scores are good...so you still have a shot at med schools

 

[ninjapenguin]

Reporting the misdemeanor and applying broadly should land you with some interviews and an acceptance, just do some community service and be humble. Although I wouldn't hold your breath for the California schools; you're damaged goods compared to the rest of the pre-meds on that assembly line.

Also, your spelling of reckless wasn't funny. I'd avoid humor if I were you explaining this situation to your interviewers.

 

[atomi]

Call your attorney. If it was a misdemeanor and you were found or plead guilty, mark it. Don't mention alcohol. Just say "reckless driving." You'll be fine.

 

[Mayday]

I would order a copy of your criminal background check if I was you - that way you know exactly how it is or is not going to show up. Report it exactly the way it shows on the background check.

 

[notdeadyet]

I was arrested for this Feb 2007. Applied to med schools last summer while I was trying to fight this. I said no last year and got 5 interviews (even though I had an academic dishonesty situation too). 5 interviews, 5 waitlists.

When you say, "I said no" do you mean you didn't check the box about the arrest?

Is academic dishonesty better or worse than a recklass driving with alcohol (basically 1 step below a DUI)?

Debatable. The answer is going to depend on who's interviewing you. If the guy is an ER doc who sees what happens due to alcohol mixed with automobiles with regularity, or if your interviewer lost a loved one to a drunk driver, it's probably much worse than academic dishonesty.

Regardless, the combo of academic dishonesty and reckless driving with alcohol is a pretty bad mix. You can try the "it was a one time thing" with one or the other, but with both? That can be a problem for some to get past.

This year, I'm not going to report the academic dishonesty thing because the records are sealed (3 years have passed) and plus i was never caught cheating. The Dean of my school has written a letter to back me up too.

Lying on your app is bad juju. If you get caught, even if it's years later, they quite possibly will kick you out of medical school. I'm saying this in a very pragmatic sense, because I'm not getting the impression that lying on your app to help you get into med school is bothering you much.

I really think I'll have a shot. I don't want to report this for the schools that don't do criminal background checks, just the schools that check (which are half of the schools I am applying to).

Dumb. Many schools will run background checks on applicants when they do rotations at their hospitals. Or you may find one being run when you try to do an away rotation. Or the school you apply to may not run them now, but may change their policy in the four years from the time you apply to the time you are doing the wards. If you get caught lying on your app, there is a very good chance that they will expell you and no med school will want to touch you after that. Again, just pragmatism. The lying doesn't seem to bother you. But it'll bother the hell out of med schools if and when you get caught. Bother them to the point of their stopping your chances of ever getting a medical degree in this country.

Would it still be bad on my part to say no on my primaries, but then send a letter out to the other schools with a good explaination of my situation and why I said no?

Lying to schools and then saying, "Here's why I lied" later? No, schools won't like that. If you tell the truth and check the "yes" box, you have an opportunity to address it. If you lie and decide to come clean later, there is a very real chance that they will dump your app in the garbage whereas if you'd been honest in the first place, they might have given you a shot.

Again, be accountable and show how you've learned from your mistake. Sounds like you're doing the right moves with AA stuff and keeping the grades up, but talking about lying to hide parts of your app you don't like doesn't really make it sound like the accountability part is quite there yet. You screwed up. Own up to it and many med schools will dismiss you out of hand anyway, but some will not and those who will not will respect your honesty. Lying is just bad. You may not get caught, but if you do, there's a good chance you're completely finished in this game. It's really not worth it.

 

[TryinToBeADoc]

first of all, i didnt misspell the word on purpose. second of all, im not okay with lying. my school has a rule that after 3 years, your personal records get sealed and you don't have to report it. I am obviously 99% sure i have to report this on my primaries. I'm just looking for ways not to ruin my chances with the schools that do background checks. that's why im asking this on an internet forum first before doing anything drastic. this case against me is going to be exsponged or sealed and destroyed by the time rotations and residencies come around, so if they do a background check then, it will not show.

i'd appreciate it if you guys didnt think of me as a lying criminal or someone thats just trying to hustle his way through medical school. i worked my ass off and did better in my classes and MCAT then most people that were at my interviews. my gpa isnt the highest, i know, but everything else is pretty damn good.

should i wait another year to apply or try again this year with the humble approach? last year i got 5 interviews when no one thought i would get one after i posted up my situation on this website. now everyone's hating again but im gonna apply anyway. f*** the haters and im gonna keep me head up

 

[notdeadyet]

second of all, im not okay with lying.

Unless I read your post wrong (always a risk with me), it seemed to be mostly about lying to schools that you think you won't get caught lying at (the ones who don't do background checks). If I am reading something wrong here, please correct me.

this case against me is going to be exsponged or sealed and destroyed by the time rotations and residencies come around, so if they do a background check then, it will not show.

This is the lying-if-you-can-get-away-with-it part. Sounds like you're okay with it to me.

i'd appreciate it if you guys didnt think of me as a lying criminal or someone thats just trying to hustle his way through medical school.

You have a criminal record and you're talking about the most effective way to lie on your app. You can't control the "criminal" part of "lying criminal". What's done is done and it isn't a big thing in the big scheme of things. But you can very much control the "lying" part of "lying criminal" by just not lying.

I know a few folks who've overcome records to get in to medical school and have done fine. It's had no impact on their ability in school. It's had no impact on their ability to deal with patients. I have a lot of respect for them and so do most of the people I work with, because they took a bad blow by some stupid mistake and were able to own up to it and get past it.

But anyone who is willfully dishonest to get in to medical school, be it by plagarizing their personal statement, cheating on the MCAT, falsifying transcripts or lying on his application? Uh-uh. Zero respect.

now everyone's hating again but im gonna apply anyway. f*** the haters and im gonna keep me head up

There's not need to play the martyr. No one is hating on you for your reckless driving with alcohol. No one is hating for your academic dishonesty jacket. Folks are just not all that supportive of hearing about people that are prepping to lie on their apps. It hurts everyone else who does it honestly.

Most medical students I know would have no problem working alongside someone who has a DUI or somesuch under their belt. But I don't know too many that would like the idea of working alongside someone who lied to get his way into school. If someone lies to get himself into medical school, I can't trust him, and if I can't trust him, it makes it very hard to work with him, especially in a medical context when trust is so critical.

Just tell the truth and be honest and apply widely. You have a good shot at finding a home and I'll wish you the best of luck. Seriously. But lie to try to game your way into medical school? Please don't. Or at least do it far away.