Muliple charges

[xia101010]

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[PreMedJock]

Unfortunately, I have multiple charges bit most were excused by First offender status, so no convictions:
1. Conviction - Reckless driving pleaded down from DUI(arrest)
2. Possession of mariiuana < 1 oz - no conviction, first offender status
3. Aggravated stalking(arrest) - no conviction , first offender status

A few traffic tickets paid - so all technically convictions.

These are all in a short duration a few years back when I went through some rough time in life.

Schools are asking for only convictions so that is only one others are traffiic tickets but I am concerned if can even get admission and finish 4 years of education with these charges, assuming some school takes me, specially as it involves hospital rotation in the last two years.
,
I spoke to some companies that do license paper work and they did not see a problem in getting license. Per them, only thing that can stop a person getting licensed is selling drugs,violence, financial fraud or terrorism.


Any one ideas/suggestions, I will like to own my mistakes then my personal problems?

My educated guess would be that since you have no convictions, and none of those are felonies (I think), you should be fine.

 

[xia101010]

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[EarthtoneJon]

Not sure what kind of advice you're asking for. I don't think any tricks or shortcuts exist to keep admissions people from viewing your criminal background via the background check. All you can do is stop committing crimes, apply, and hope others believe you've changed.

 

[xia101010]

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[Josh7]

What does it mean that you weren't convicted because of "first offender" status? It isn't on your record at all?

 

[PreMedJock]

He was charged with a felony, but not convicted. I believe it'll still be on his file though.

 

[xia101010]

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[Doctor Strange]

What it means that judge did not sign conviction. I was
given certain probation conditions once those are
met legally you are not convicted. If a background
check is done it will not show conviction, it will show
first offender discharge. Of course all records are there always i.e charges ,arrest etc.I was
told by lawyer they only allow expungement when there is
a wrong arrest or something. This is what I got.

That being said, you better have one hell of an explanation for this "rough time" in your life. Otherwise, it will most likely be a significant barrier admissions-wise.

 

[PreMedJock]

That being said, you better have one hell of an explanation for this "rough time" in your life. Otherwise, it will most likely be a significant barrier admissions-wise.

Agreed. I personally would try to flip it, similar to the ol' "first semester rough start". "I was young and immature, it helped me grow up". Etc.

 

[xia101010]

Yes, I will have to explain if they ask. But applications
only ask convictions. Why be proactive to talk about all these charges when they
are not convictions?

 

[waterpolo480586]

Even if you get accepted to a school without mentioning those non-convictions, there is a strong likelihood that they would rescind admission after seeing your background check.

 

[xia101010]

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[IncognitoGuy]

What makes you think will they withdraw? I am truthfully doing my application. They
Only asked for conviction. If they ask charges in secondaries
I will explain.

Because they have hundreds of other people for the same seat that don't have any of those problems. Why take the chance on you?

No matter how you look at it, it's going to pop up at some point and it's going to be a hard sell. You will have to provide something irresistible or compelling to get over this hurdle. I also see this being an issue when it comes to eventual residency applications if you get to that point.

 

[xia101010]

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[IncognitoGuy]

Residency applications also ask for only convictions?
I am confused with this whole thing, First offender and
Probation before judgement (PBJ) are
not same as conviction. Are there any members on this
board that had personal experience with this
stuff or I should call it quit.What I am reading here
I am dead on arrival.

Don't forget that schools/hospitals WILL do background checks as part of the condition for acceptance (aka where your problem will arise if it doesn't come up before). Non-negotiable.

And not necessarily dead on arrival, but you have a tough battle ahead of you.

 

[NotAsking4Much]

Residency applications also ask for only convictions?
I am confused with this whole thing, First offender and
Probation before judgement (PBJ) are
not same as conviction. Are there any members on this
board that had personal experience with this
stuff or I should call it quit.What I am reading here
I am dead on arrival.

Conviction means you were found guilty, entered a plea bargain, or plead no contest.

Charged means you had to stand trial or faced a charge. It's still on your record.

Obviously, former is worse than latter. However, the # of charges you have on your record is very discouraging and the charges themselves, "stalking?" will definitely need explanation.

Background checks will be done before you enter med school (requirement), before you enter residency (requirement), and before you find a job (almost always). So you will have to explain those charges at every single step.

 

[xia101010]

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[TheShaker]

OP, you should go to the Confidential Consult area of this forum and ask the people there. They seem to know a bit more about this kind of legal stuff.

 

[pre med 2014]

All these charges happened in a short span when I had some personal losses in life and went through sever depression. Is that considered a good answer, if I decide to disclose it upfront at application time? I was not going to use depression word in the application as it is considered negatively at times. Stalking is just violating a 'no-contact' court order by sending emails etc. to other party. In some states it is a big deal[felony]and in some it is just a citation.

I was thinking to contact one of the admission consultant to help me write.

Another option I was looking at was going abroad to study and then when I come back it may be a distant past - so less issues. US has really become an unforgiving land! As these issues can haunt one in any job.

Unforgiving it is. Not as bad as Qatar though. There, your parents would have been able to work out a deal wherein they keep their jobs on the condition of your deportation

 

[aspiring20]

Unfortunately, I have multiple charges bit most were excused by First offender status, so no convictions:
1. Conviction - Reckless driving pleaded down from DUI(arrest)
2. Possession of mariiuana < 1 oz - no conviction, first offender status
3. Aggravated stalking(arrest) - no conviction , first offender status

A few traffic tickets paid - so all technically convictions.

These are all in a short duration a few years back when I went through some rough time in life.

Schools are asking for only convictions so that is only one others are traffiic tickets but I am concerned if can even get admission and finish 4 years of education with these charges, assuming some school takes me, specially as it involves hospital rotation in the last two years.
,
I spoke to some companies that do license paper work and they did not see a problem in getting license. Per them, only thing that can stop a person getting licensed is selling drugs,violence, financial fraud or terrorism.


Any one ideas/suggestions, I will like to own my mistakes then my personal problems?

AMCAS primary only asks for convictions, and the application explicitly tells you to answer "NO" if you were arrested, charged, everything'ed BUT NOT convicted. so for that, you are fine.

however, some secondary applications will ask for charges and arrests even though they didn't lead to convictions. so the chance of your having to disclose these somewhere is likely.

just keep your head up and start developing a good explanation. you may also want to put some distance between these incidents and the time of your application.

good luck!

 

[xia101010]

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[dudeliness]

You could also call up admissions offices of some schools and ask them directly if this will cause you problems. I'd have to agree with others though that you need to come up with a succinct and compelling explanation for the rough patch you went through. With some convincing writing, you can help mitigate the damage these charges could cause.

 

[pre med 2014]

pre med 2014-

"Your Parent" - what do you mean? Peace and God bless you.

In Qatar a possession of marijuana charge, one that the OP has, ends your parents career but people usually make a deal where the child gets deported and parents keep employment.

I realize OPs possession was not when he was a minor. I was just making general commentary about how draconian punishments are in other parts of the world

 

[pre med 2014]

A DUI also gets you deported in Qatar, even if it is a low level the morning after. Deported.

 

[BABSstudent]

This is simple. Go to a police station and run a background check on yourself. It will cost about $20 but you can see what actually shows up on your file. If it isn't there, don't worry about it. If it is, then hopefully it isn't a conviction of something serious.

 

[xXIDaShizIXx]

That being said, you better have one hell of an explanation for this "rough time" in your life. Otherwise, it will most likely be a significant barrier admissions-wise.

I kind of figure it would be a huge barrier too, but I cant say for certain though.

 

[Fluidity of Movement]

That being said, you better have one hell of an explanation for this "rough time" in your life. Otherwise, it will most likely be a significant barrier admissions-wise.

I think havng a good story and explanation is a good first step. I had heard a while back of a premed who was accepted despite having served time for manslaughter via drunk driving.

If memory serves, he had started volunteering his time going from town to town spreading awareness the dangers of drunk driving, and relaying his life stories in schools, etc.

Perhaps something similar to that would be a good option for you to consider.

 

[xia101010]

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[Doodledog]

OP, you should go to the Confidential Consult area of this forum and ask the people there. They seem to know a bit more about this kind of legal stuff.

No, the purpose of CC is not to get aPD's and my attention. That could be done by PM.

I have nothing in particular to add here.