Seeking Advice: Undergrad Suspension

[strawberryshortcake27]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I am a rising junior and recently got suspended for participating in a protest on campus, and will be put on disciplinary probation for the rest of college after the suspension is over. The protest was a nonviolent sit-in, there were arrests but I was not arrested, and I got suspended under disruption charges. This comes during a time in which my school is also actively working/making deals with the federal administration. I genuinely did not expect my school to escalate like they did. I'll refrain from giving any more information because I know this might not be received well especially when considering the controversiality of the protest cause, but feel free to PM with questions.

I'm feeling lost because I was set on pursuing medicine, but now it seems unlikely that I will ever get in. I know an IA, especially suspension, is an automatic disqualifier for a lot of schools, so I was wondering what general thoughts about this specific circumstance would be, such as how adcoms might view this--especially with the controversial nature of the protest cause--what I can/should do moving forward, should I bother to continue with pre-med, etc. Thank you.

 

[PickaGodnPray]

I would reach out to a lawyer. As a student, you have a right to protest, however, there are scenarios where even if done peacefully, it is unlawful (disruption, public safety, etc). I don’t know the specifics of your case, but if you believe your student rights were violated or the punishment is excessive, consulting a lawyer who specializes in education law could help you understand your options.

 

[wysdoc]

I am a rising junior and recently got suspended for participating in a protest on campus, and will be put on disciplinary probation for the rest of college after the suspension is over. The protest was a nonviolent sit-in, there were arrests but I was not arrested, and I got suspended under disruption charges. This comes during a time in which my school is also actively working/making deals with the federal administration. I genuinely did not expect my school to escalate like they did. I'll refrain from giving any more information because I know this might not be received well especially when considering the controversiality of the protest cause, but feel free to PM with questions.

I'm feeling lost because I was set on pursuing medicine, but now it seems unlikely that I will ever get in. I know an IA, especially suspension, is an automatic disqualifier for a lot of schools, so I was wondering what general thoughts about this specific circumstance would be, such as how adcoms might view this--especially with the controversial nature of the protest cause--what I can/should do moving forward, should I bother to continue with pre-med, etc. Thank you.

Keep (meaning print out on paper) all communications from your school about the suspension. Keep a log or diary entry of the dates of every email between you and your school about the suspension and any meetings.
Having this in your college record does not mean you can never apply to medical school, but it means you will need to report it factually on your AMCAS application.
I hope you will be able to graduate in good standing by the end of senior year.

 

[strawberryshortcake27]

Keep (meaning print out on paper) all communications from your school about the suspension. Keep a log or diary entry of the dates of every email between you and your school about the suspension and any meetings.
Having this in your college record does not mean you can never apply to medical school, but it means you will need to report it factually on your AMCAS application.
I hope you will be able to graduate in good standing by the end of senior year.

I will do all this, thank you. I definitely plan to report it on AMCAS if I cannot get it expunged, and will own up to my mistake of disrupting academic activities. Do you think most adcoms would automatically reject me because of the suspension? I am really lost as to how this could be viewed because I feel like this kind of circumstance is relatively new, and there aren't really standards for it, as there may be with academic integrity-related IAs. Would I be deemed a threat to the school if admitted, and therefore not considered as an applicant? I really want to study medicine. I'm not sure how to move forward with this.

 

[wysdoc]

I will do all this, thank you. I definitely plan to report it on AMCAS if I cannot get it expunged, and will own up to my mistake of disrupting academic activities. Do you think most adcoms would automatically reject me because of the suspension? I am really lost as to how this could be viewed because I feel like this kind of circumstance is relatively new, and there aren't really standards for it, as there may be with academic integrity-related IAs. Would I be deemed a threat to the school if admitted, and therefore not considered as an applicant? I really want to study medicine. I'm not sure how to move forward with this.

The other thing I would advise is to make your social media accounts private or inactive. Your opinions are your opinions, but for now share them in person with trusted friends, not publicly online where anyone can search you out.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

People have gotten IA's for dumb reasons created at the convenience of the institution and not necessarily for fairness sake.

Campus Dorm Resident Assistants Adjust to a New Role: COVID Cop | Student Doctor Network | SDN

Originally published on Kaiser Health News, October 6, 2020 Breaking up parties, confiscating booze and answering noise complaints — being a resident

www.studentdoctor.net

I don't think that being arrested for protesting will automatically disqualify you from the applicant pool, but I would consider consulting a good lawyer or the pro bono clinic at a nearby law school. ACLU is likely keeping track of this, so reach out to them.

I agree, get off of today's social media (keep us though), or at least scrub everything. Athletes have gotten into trouble for stupid posts they put up as early teenagers (including horrible-look photos wearing "costumes" where "political correctness" is given the finger).

Medical schools and all universities will likely face more intense scrutiny. Walk-outs like the ones seen at Michigan a year or so ago, or vocal confrontations from faculty to controversial speakers, are going to be less welcome. We have many essay prompts asking about how you handle yourself during these controversial times. I would not consider you a threat for the citation alone; you have more opportunities to convince me if you are a threat in the admissions process. 🙂

I continue my faith that AAMC will retain the core value of social justice, and that being involved in such protests will not automatically disqualify you unless you commit a felony or a high-grade misdemeanor. (Yes, life is unfair because J6 rioters get pardoned.) However, you are entering an industry where conformity is expected within the hierarchy, even as more residents, physicians, and nurses ponder unionization.

That said, you didn't read this article from last year...

Don’t Look for Trouble: How Freshman Year Mistakes Could Doom Your Path to Medical School | Student Doctor Network | SDN

Welcome to the new academic year and first-year orientation! As a new freshman resident of our Prehealth Living Learning Community Dormitory, I share your

www.studentdoctor.net

 

[strawberryshortcake27]

People have gotten IA's for dumb reasons created at the convenience of the institution and not necessarily for fairness sake.

Campus Dorm Resident Assistants Adjust to a New Role: COVID Cop | Student Doctor Network | SDN

Originally published on Kaiser Health News, October 6, 2020 Breaking up parties, confiscating booze and answering noise complaints — being a resident

www.studentdoctor.net

I don't think that being arrested for protesting will automatically disqualify you from the applicant pool, but I would consider consulting a good lawyer or the pro bono clinic at a nearby law school. ACLU is likely keeping track of this, so reach out to them.

I agree, get off of today's social media (keep us though), or at least scrub everything. Athletes have gotten into trouble for stupid posts they put up as early teenagers (including horrible-look photos wearing "costumes" where "political correctness" is given the finger).

Medical schools and all universities will likely face more intense scrutiny. Walk-outs like the ones seen at Michigan a year or so ago, or vocal confrontations from faculty to controversial speakers, are going to be less welcome. We have many essay prompts asking about how you handle yourself during these controversial times. I would not consider you a threat for the citation alone; you have more opportunities to convince me if you are a threat in the admissions process. 🙂

I continue my faith that AAMC will retain the core value of social justice, and that being involved in such protests will not automatically disqualify you unless you commit a felony or a high-grade misdemeanor. (Yes, life is unfair because J6 rioters get pardoned.) However, you are entering an industry where conformity is expected within the hierarchy, even as more residents, physicians, and nurses ponder unionization.

That said, you didn't read this article from last year...

Don’t Look for Trouble: How Freshman Year Mistakes Could Doom Your Path to Medical School | Student Doctor Network | SDN

Welcome to the new academic year and first-year orientation! As a new freshman resident of our Prehealth Living Learning Community Dormitory, I share your

www.studentdoctor.net

Thank you so much for your response. I will try my best to move forward with this and will try to find ways to strengthen my application to compensate for the IA, and I hope that, like you said, AAMC will retain the values of social justice that lie at the core of healthcare. Thank you again!

 

[Goro]

Do you think most adcoms would automatically reject me because of the suspension?

I've interviewed a number of people who were arrested at protests, not merely suspended. We don't ask about stuff like this in interviews, but other schools may differ.

So own it and just stay out of trouble.

 

[strawberryshortcake27]

I've interviewed a number of people who were arrested at protests, not merely suspended. We don't ask about stuff like this in interviews, but other schools may differ.

So own it and just stay out of trouble.

Do you think it might be helpful to list involvement in extracurriculars related to the [broader] cause (I am thinking volunteering/working w/ affected groups in my area, etc. because I'm genuinely invested in the cause) to show that I've pursued advocacy through other channels? Or is it best to avoid listing anything that can come off as political?

 

[wysdoc]

Do you think it might be helpful to list involvement in extracurriculars related to the [broader] cause (I am thinking volunteering/working w/ affected groups in my area, etc. because I'm genuinely invested in the cause) to show that I've pursued advocacy through other channels? Or is it best to avoid listing anything that can come off as political?

Avoid politics, put your head down and graduate

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Do you think it might be helpful to list involvement in extracurriculars related to the [broader] cause (I am thinking volunteering/working w/ affected groups in my area, etc. because I'm genuinely invested in the cause) to show that I've pursued advocacy through other channels? Or is it best to avoid listing anything that can come off as political?

Because adcoms do not act as a monolith, you must have a school list that you feel is more accommodating or supportive of students who may share your advocacy position, but recognize that you will likely share space with students who oppose your views. Frankly, you should have had experience throughout your college time, though the whiplash effects of politics have only emerged so quickly that I'm sure finding space to have safe discussions may have become more tricky.

 

[LizzyM]

This goes back to the 1960s, but I have had colleagues who graduated medical school and rose to the ranks of full professors after being 1) jailed for activities during the civil rights movement, or 2) having an active arrest warrant for anti-war protests on campus. In both cases, I suspect that adcoms were sympathetic to the causes that got the applicants into trouble. as always, YMMV.

 

[strawberryshortcake27]

This goes back to the 1960s, but I have had colleagues who graduated medical school and rose to the ranks of full professors after being 1) jailed for activities during the civil rights movement, or 2) having an active arrest warrant for anti-war protests on campus. In both cases, I suspect that adcoms were sympathetic to the causes that got the applicants into trouble. as always, YMMV.

I know this is very person/adcom-specific, but would you have any schools in mind that have historically been supportive of social justice or anti-war movements? Like MrSmile said, I want to be conscious of this when applying.

But of course, just hoping and praying adcoms will be sympathetic lol.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I know this is very person/adcom-specific, but would you have any schools in mind that have historically been supportive of social justice or anti-war movements? Like MrSmile said, I want to be conscious of this when applying.

But of course, just hoping and praying adcoms will be sympathetic lol.

Any MSI medical school like the HBCU's for starters. Check AMSA's roster of students/schools among their advocacy scholars programs. Social Mission Alliance may also help.

 

[strawberryshortcake27]

Any MSI medical school like the HBCU's for starters. Check AMSA's roster of students/schools among their advocacy scholars programs. Social Mission Alliance may also help.

Thank you!

 

[LizzyM]

Schools is blue states would be my recommendation.

 

[strawberryshortcake27]

Schools is blue states would be my recommendation.

I live and attend school in NYC, so I am hoping that nearby/in-state public schools would be willing to consider, especially because I really am interested in working with underserved populations.