Quoted: minor charge and effect on application

[Doodledog]

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So I feel like I am in a really unfortunate situation. I am currently in the application cycle for medical school and an incident has occurred that could potentially give me a disciplinary violation on my academic transcript.

What happened was, I was given an ordinance violation (local law abuse, similar to urinating in public, noise pollution, etc. not a criminal offense) for minor retail theft (item totaling $5.50). It happened at a grocery store at 3 AM, after I had been studying there for a few hours for my MCAT. It was bad judgment, lack of sleep and stupidity (it was a coffee beverage). This happened last month, and I was wondering what to do.

As far as legal business is concerned, I paid the fine and everything, and the case was closed without going to court (like how a speeding ticket is handled, as the legal department explained to me). I am also looking to get the case expunged due to a first time offense and how minor it was.

The problem I am really concerned about is my University's involvement. The Student Conflict Resolutions office met with me and I told them the situation. They said I could either get a warning and do community service, or it would go on my academic transcript and do community service. I don't know what to do, I've never stolen before, it was a really stupid mistake but now I feel it has ruined my future. I have a 3.72 (raised it from a 3.1 my freshman year, have averaged a 3.9 my last 4 semesters), about to take my MCAT for the second time (shooting for a 33/34) got a 30 on the first one, have a ridiculous amount of EC's (President of 2 organizations, 2 other board positions, numerous volunteering, shadowing, tutoring and advising positions, 3 research projects throughout 3 different universities with 1 publication, travelling dance team all throughout college, bassist in a band as well, etc.)

Although I have already turned in my primary application (turned it in early but since it only asked for Misdemeanors and Felonies I didn't think to put it on there, stupid I know) and AMCAS has received my transcript (won't have any disciplinary stuff on it, that will be on my transcript middle of senior year) I don't know what to do. I spoke to 2 school's medical school admissions and they said as long as I'm honest and explain myself it should be fine, but I'm just not sure. They said usually matters like this don't weigh down applicants, unless they are very severe, if theres more good than bad, but I'm pretty scared. Do you guys think this is a severe issue? I am planning on noting it in all my secondaries or e-mailing admissions of school's that don't designate a section for it (as suggested by one of the admissions officers). It all really just sucks

 

[Doodledog]

I posted the above for a user.

This is a bit of an unusual circumstance in the timing. Remembering as always, that the questions we answer here are not "should/must this be reported to AMCAS/schools?" but rather "how might members of an admissions committee see this event if they are aware of it."

I would say this probably will need a bit of explaining, although I would recommend being very brief in any explanation. I do not think this is likely to be a deal breaker if this is the only thing on your record and you have described it accurately.