serious institutional actions

[seriouslyhoping]

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hello everyone.

thus far i've only seen institutional actions regarding underage drinking, academic probation, etc. i'd really like to have your input on my particular situation that is quite serious. but first i'd like to tell you where i stand. so here's my background:

gpa: 3.64
mcat: taking in a few months
activities:
-premedical sorority (held office as academic advisor); even planned our sorority's first academic and healthcare conference where i invited doctors, professors, and other speakers.
-participating student of an NIH funded program for 2 years
-through the program worked in a bio lab for 2 years
-in my sophomore year, was a math tutor (for calculus and multi-variable calculus) for a program that utilizes collaborative learning
-have been immersed in the medical world since i was a junior in high school since my dad owns a carehome; did the whole nine yards (i.e. change diapers, take clients out on excursions, have game days, help with feeding)
-currently volunteering with retina specialists as a research assistant (i.e maintaing patient documentation, preparing medication, prompting doctors before injections, obtaining informed consents for volunteers of a study, etc.)

so even with all this, i feel that a particular situation that happened during my freshman year can take this all away. 🙁

to make a long story short, my roomate and i bought a brownie laced with marijuana. apparently it was laced with something else because we started hallucinating and was later sent to the hospital. we ended up having to cooperate with authorities and the person we bought it from was sent to jail...

i feel completely demoralized, and you guys know the rest ...

thanks for your help.

sincerely,
seriously hoping

 

[BlueElmo]

hello everyone.

thus far i've only seen institutional actions regarding underage drinking, academic probation, etc. i'd really like to have your input on my particular situation that is quite serious. but first i'd like to tell you where i stand. so here's my background:

gpa: 3.64
mcat: taking in a few months
activities:
-premedical sorority (held office as academic advisor); even planned our sorority's first academic and healthcare conference where i invited doctors, professors, and other speakers.
-participating student of an NIH funded program for 2 years
-through the program worked in a bio lab for 2 years
-in my sophomore year, was a math tutor (for calculus and multi-variable calculus) for a program that utilizes collaborative learning
-have been immersed in the medical world since i was a junior in high school since my dad owns a carehome; did the whole nine yards (i.e. change diapers, take clients out on excursions, have game days, help with feeding)
-currently volunteering with retina specialists as a research assistant (i.e maintaing patient documentation, preparing medication, prompting doctors before injections, obtaining informed consents for volunteers of a study, etc.)

so even with all this, i feel that a particular situation that happened during my freshman year can take this all away. 🙁

to make a long story short, my roomate and i bought a brownie laced with marijuana. apparently it was laced with something else because we started hallucinating and was later sent to the hospital. we ended up having to cooperate with authorities and the person we bought it from was sent to jail...
i feel completely demoralized, and you guys know the rest ...

thanks for your help.

sincerely,
seriously hoping

Did you know the said brownie was laced with marijuana? Or did you buy a brownie because you wanted to eat a plain, innocent brownie? I'm confused about your story.

BTW, I know this is a serious topic for you, but I got to admit, it's kind of funny.

 

[AdmiralChz]

I think you'll be OK as long as you come out with this up front in your primary apps (AMCAS has a question about this). This doesn't sound like a felony, either.

To be perfectly honest, this sounds like a little bit more than just your run-of-the-mill underage drinking violations (which I got myself). I could see it impairing you a little bit at some schools, especially those that are morally focused. But if this is your only offense and you've been clear ever since, you still have a very good shot.

How did you receive academic probation out of this?

 

[seriouslyhoping]

yes i did know it was laced with marijuana... i just didn't know it was laced with something else ...

and i've told this story sooo many times with huge laughs going around lol!

but this is killing me!

 

[seriouslyhoping]

AdmiralChz,

i didn't receive academic probation, i was put on housing probation. but i was told this wouldn't be on my record. but im going to be honest and tell the med schools what i did.

 

[MILK07]

AdmiralChz,

i didn't receive academic probation, i was put on housing probation. but i was told this wouldn't be on my record. but im going to be honest and tell the med schools what i did.

What do you mean this isn't on your record?? Were you ever officially charged with a crime and had to go to court? If you do a background check on yourself, does this show up?

Or was "housing probation" the only punishment? Just check around and see if it will be on your record, criminal or school related, or reported on your transcript. If you were never charged with a crime, then there is no reason to put this on AMCAS.

I honestly think this would hurt you if you had to report it. Check out the AMCAS guidelines on what you do and don't have to report.

 

[Upgrayedd]

dude, this sucks on so many levels, but I'm glad your ok: quickly

a) you sure this wasn't the famous "body high" that one gets when they ingest canibus?

b) what kinda dealer is throwing in extra drugs for free? rather poor business model if you ask me...

 

[seriouslyhoping]

i called the office of judicial affairs, and they said that they'd have to tell them my violations and sanctions. basically, all i had to do was do a community workshop and was given a warning ... and that's all ... no criminal record ... nothing ...

 

[ksmi117]

i called the office of judicial affairs, and they said that they'd have to tell them my violations and sanctions. basically, all i had to do was do a community workshop and was given a warning ... and that's all ... no criminal record ... nothing ...

Did you ask judicial affairs if it is on your record there? Sometimes housing and judicial affairs have their stuff separately. If it's on your record, report it. No point it having it come back and bite you. I don't think it's that big of a deal; some schools may disagree, but I don't think all will hold it against you. At least your sancations aren't bad, which will convey to med schools that it wasn't that bad. I was on probation for two semesters for climbing out my dorm window; you were lucky not to get any worse punishment.

 

[Bacchus]

I wouldn't tell. That's just me. If there's no proof, you're still not going to be revered for going out of your way to tell them.

 

[MassTransport]

Whether or not you report is going to be dependent solely on whether or not medical schools can find out about it. Is this on your record at judicial affairs? If not, stuff it down a deep hole and sit on it. There's no reason to potentially compromise your chances by reporting when you don't have to.

 

[seriouslyhoping]

side note: visiting memory lane sucks

so everyone's questions have prompted me to call the registrar, judicial affairs office, and the campus police. here are their responses:

registrar: we're only allowed to divulge public information, such as your dates of attendance, classes, etc. all other inquiries are sent to judicial affairs and your housing office.

judicial affairs: it's on file. after you give your consent, we'd tell them of your violations and sanctions.

campus police: you were mentioned in the police report as a victim.

in conclusion, i believe honesty is the best policy. i have sincerely learned from this situation. i think i have more important things to worry about. my dad always says, if there's a will there is a way.

cheers to moving on!

thanks for everyone's help!

 

[Kaustikos]

dude, this sucks on so many levels, but I'm glad your ok: quickly

a) you sure this wasn't the famous "body high" that one gets when they ingest canibus?

b) what kinda dealer is throwing in extra drugs for free? rather poor business model if you ask me...

There's the real problem

 

[orrghead16]

[q

 

[kingofthehill]

I don't understand, if it's not on your official transcript, why would you want to open a can of worms?

Honesty is still the best policy.

 

[AdmiralChz]

Often its sent as an addendum to the transcript, which will go out to med school in the summer. Not declaring and getting caught (again, 2 of my friends tried to "hide" honor offenses - they went from accepted top 25 to nada) is just stupid. Just admit it, and you should be fine.

 

[Bacchus]

You need to find out if its going to surface. If it is, report it. If not, don't. You're an animal by evolution and self-preservation is built into you, right?

 

[ksmi117]

Just because it's not on your transcript doesn't mean it won't show up. If a school asks to see your judicial record, you have to options, 1. let them see it, where they'll see an infraction you did not report or 2. deny them and have them suspect you are hiding something. It's a hard decision as I am having to figure out what I'm going to do about it as well. I've been told to report my infraction and to not share since it's not on my transcript. I really really think that honesty is the best though. You have an area to explain the situation, so take advantage of that. Med schools know that college students do stupid things sometimes. As far as weed, I can tell you how they would react, but I'd report it anyway.

 

[BlueElmo]

It looks like it won't appear on your transcript, OP. I'd say don't report it. You don't get extra points for revealing something that you never had to.

 

[kingofthehill]

Order a copy of your criminal background history to see if there's anything on it. Personally, I think being dishonest will be worse than just telling them. Eating a weed brownie, or whatever drug was in there, isn't THAT big of a deal. It's not like you robbed a jewelry store.

 

[orrghead16]

If a school asks to see your judicial record, you have to options, 1. let them see it, where they'll see an infraction you did not report or 2. deny them and have them suspect you are hiding something.

Just curious, when would this happen? Has any school ever asked an applicant to release their judicial record? I don't think it would be a fairly regular thing, but I am not sure.

 

[0Complications]

side note: visiting memory lane sucks

so everyone's questions have prompted me to call the registrar, judicial affairs office, and the campus police. here are their responses:

registrar: we're only allowed to divulge public information, such as your dates of attendance, classes, etc. all other inquiries are sent to judicial affairs and your housing office.

judicial affairs: it's on file. after you give your consent, we'd tell them of your violations and sanctions.

campus police: you were mentioned in the police report as a victim.

in conclusion, i believe honesty is the best policy. i have sincerely learned from this situation. i think i have more important things to worry about. my dad always says, if there's a will there is a way.

cheers to moving on!

thanks for everyone's help!

Well, it sounds like it IS on file, so you should access your file and see what it says. Because if it says that you were the "victim" of a crime as the police report states you would probably be in the clear. If it doesn't state what the crime was medical schools would be heartless to ask, because it could have been any number of things from assault to rape. So asking about it would be opening up a can of worms anyone with good sense would want to avoid.

If it's listed and the "offense" is there - report it.

If not, then don't.

Honesty is still the best policy.

Are you crazy? If there is nothing reported then she is throwing herself into a situation she doesn't even need to worry about.

Are you going to report that you drank alcohol underage, maybe smoked a joint, or possibly took on an 8-ball of coke between yourself and 2 friends? Hell no you aren't. Not unless you got busted for it. You'll look like an idiot. I would just naturally assume half my class has been tempted the fates and experimented in one way or another. I'm not saying you've done these things, nor myself, but I am saying that it would be foolish to bring up every stupid thing you've done in the past just to "come clean" for honesty's sake.

 

[LittleRocker]

If Obama can become president after admitting to smoking weed, then I think it would be a little absurd if you couldn't get into med school for buying a weed brownie your freshman year. But who ever said the med school application process wasn't absurd? I know this isn't helpful at all, but I was thinking that maybe there really wasn't anything else in the brownie. If this was your first time and the weed was potent enough, then it could be possible to hallucinate a bit, and you could have just freaked out cause you didn't know how to handle it. I don't see why the person that sold it to you would want to put anything else in it (it was most likely mushrooms if they did) because the idea is to keep their customers coming back... not send them to the hospital and never get their business again. Also whatever was put in it would have probably been more expensive than the weed itself, unless it was crack. But I've never heard of a crack brownie.

 

[pianola]

You need to find out if its going to surface. If it is, report it. If not, don't. You're an animal by evolution and self-preservation is built into you, right?

I'm with Bacchus on this one, ftr.

 

[kingofthehill]

Are you crazy? If there is nothing reported then she is throwing herself into a situation she doesn't even need to worry about.

Are you going to report that you drank alcohol underage, maybe smoked a joint, or possibly took on an 8-ball of coke between yourself and 2 friends? Hell no you aren't. Not unless you got busted for it. You'll look like an idiot. I would just naturally assume half my class has been tempted the fates and experimented in one way or another. I'm not saying you've done these things, nor myself, but I am saying that it would be foolish to bring up every stupid thing you've done in the past just to "come clean" for honesty's sake.

No, I'm not. From what the OP said, there IS record of her involvement in something criminal-related. I have had too many experiences of suffering the consequences of being dishonest, including being fired from a job, to EVER do it again. I guess I just realize how much being dishonest when you could be caught just doesn't pay off. A drug use conviction is not the end of the world, and it likely will not effect your chances at med school.

Underage drinking and even drug use that was never caught of course shouldn't be reported, but the OP was sent to the hospital, and there are records all over the place of her involvement. Her case is different. It's just best to be honest.

 

[pianola]

Underage drinking and even drug use that was never caught of course shouldn't be reported, but the OP was sent to the hospital, and there are records all over the place of her involvement. Her case is different. It's just best to be honest.

Yes, but half of the records say she is a victim and medical schools won't look at your hospital record as a basis for admission.

I dunno.

 

[kingofthehill]

in conclusion, i believe honesty is the best policy. i have sincerely learned from this situation. i think i have more important things to worry about. my dad always says, if there's a will there is a way.

cheers to moving on!

thanks for everyone's help!

Just read this--we should just go ahead and stop the moral arguments here, OP has made up her mind. OP you will not be sorry, trust me.

 

[0Complications]

No, I'm not. From what the OP said, there IS record of her involvement in something criminal-related. I have had too many experiences of suffering the consequences of being dishonest, including being fired from a job, to EVER do it again. I guess I just realize how much being dishonest when you could be caught just doesn't pay off. A drug use conviction is not the end of the world, and it likely will not effect your chances at med school.

Underage drinking and even drug use that was never caught of course shouldn't be reported, but the OP was sent to the hospital, and there are records all over the place of her involvement. Her case is different. It's just best to be honest.

My response to yours when when you had quoted someone who stated it was NOT on their record.

I hear you though. I'm glad you wouldn't offer up unnecessary info, because that would not be advisable.

Yes, but half of the records say she is a victim and medical schools won't look at your hospital record as a basis for admission.

I dunno.

Exactly. Find out what the records state, then decide. As a victim she be in the clear.

 

[chiz2kul]

Order a copy of your criminal background history to see if there's anything on it. Personally, I think being dishonest will be worse than just telling them. Eating a weed brownie, or whatever drug was in there, isn't THAT big of a deal. It's not like you robbed a jewelry store.

Thats all the advice the OP needs. Then act from there....

 

[Conky]

AdmiralChz,

i didn't receive academic probation, i was put on housing probation. but i was told this wouldn't be on my record. but im going to be honest and tell the med schools what i did.

seriously? that's the same penalty you get for getting caught with a can of beer by an ra. find out for sure that it wont be on your record. if they say it will not be then don't report it. there is no point, and you shouldn't have to feel bad about it.

 

[LizzyM]

Housing probation is an institutional action. Withhold that information at your own risk. Once you sign a waiver with your school (e.g. for a LOR from your advisor) they can divulge anything in your records. Some schools do provide information about (lack of) instutituional action on a routine basis in every committee LOR.

While failing to disclose may seem like a survival mechanism, it could be a trap that will kill the applicant's chances of admission because lying on the application is the most assured way of getting a denial letter.

 

[AdmiralChz]

Housing probation is an institutional action. Withhold that information at your own risk. Once you sign a waiver with your school (e.g. for a LOR from your advisor) they can divulge anything in your records. Some schools do provide information about (lack of) instutituional action on a routine basis in every committee LOR.

While failing to disclose may seem like a survival mechanism, it could be a trap that will kill the applicant's chances of admission because lying on the application is the most assured way of getting a denial letter.

Yep - in my case the violation was included in my premed advisor's letter (although I didn't know it at the time). I'm pretty glad I put it down on my AMCAS.

 

[swamprat]

Yeah I submitted my information for the committee letter not too long ago and they had a question about I.A. I called the judicial office, and wrote about the records they sent me to the best of my ability(it was freshmen year). I know that they actually do call the office and find out information. Is it really true though that medical schools won't request info from the judicial system of one's school? I know that this info will be in my committee letter now, but I'm starting to worry... i wrote about it to the best of my memory, i just hope i didn't leave anything dumb out that would make me "dishonest." ah whateverr... theres always the Caribbean

 

[0Complications]

Yeah I submitted my information for the committee letter not too long ago and they had a question about I.A. I called the judicial office, and wrote about the records they sent me to the best of my ability(it was freshmen year). I know that they actually do call the office and find out information. Is it really true though that medical schools won't request info from the judicial system of one's school? I know that this info will be in my committee letter now, but I'm starting to worry... i wrote about it to the best of my memory, i just hope i didn't leave anything dumb out that would make me "dishonest." ah whateverr... theres always the Caribbean

The idea of disclosure isn't to write out every detail. It's to help ensure that you are an honest person and to give you an opportunity to explain what happened from your perspective. This also gives you the opportunity to say what you've learned from the 'event'.