Should I bring up a prior arrest at a closed file interview ?

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leagueofDravenMD

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I was invited to interview at a school that asked about "arrest" history on its secondary applicati0n. Most ask about "convictions" so its already a miracle I was invited. I was arrested for a couple of things, though the record is expunged and does not come up on a certiphi background check. At the end of the interview if they ask me if theres anything I'd like the adcoms to know, should I make it a point to talk about this incident and how I have grown, since its right there on my application? I already wrote a paragraph there about it and all in my secondary, but was wondering if I should bring it up, or if secondary paragraph resopnse is good enough as they already have invited me.

The last thing I want to do is see the shock of horror on the interviewers face after a great conversation, but if mentioning it is necessary for honesty or growth or whatever then I'm all for it.
 
I was invited to interview at a school that asked about "arrest" history on its secondary applicati0n. Most ask about "convictions" so its already a miracle I was invited. I was arrested for a couple of things, though the record is expunged and does not come up on a certiphi background check. At the end of the interview if they ask me if theres anything I'd like the adcoms to know, should I make it a point to talk about this incident and how I have grown, since its right there on my application? I already wrote a paragraph there about it and all in my secondary, but was wondering if I should bring it up, or if secondary paragraph resopnse is good enough as they already have invited me.

The last thing I want to do is see the shock of horror on the interviewers face after a great conversation, but if mentioning it is necessary for honesty or growth or whatever then I'm all for it.
I wouldnt bring up negative or potentially negative aspects of your file during an interview. They offered an interview, if they ask the question bring it up, if they dont, dont.
 
I know at my school that, while interviews are done closed file, interviewers do get to see the applicant's information after submitting their initial report, and can then add on a small note afterward. In that case, I'd think that if they asked you a question along the lines of "is there anything I'm going to see on your application you'd like to explain," whether you'd talk about it depends on whether you feel like you've explained it well enough on the application itself.

I agree with everyone else in that you shouldn't bring it up unprompted, though.
 
I was in a similar situation where I did not have to disclose my arrest on my primary but did on secondaries that asked of convictions (I would say anywhere from 40-60%). A couple of schools asked for speeding ticket, which I got a s*** ton of when I was young with some of them being pretty bad.... It is pretty ironic because where I am most likely matriculating was the school that asked to disclose the most information about past criminal history/speeding. If it is true love, they will accept you even after exposing your blemishes 😉

And yeah, I was never asked about it on the interview trail. I could only see this happening if it was a really serious crime or was recent. They have so many other things they want to learn about you that they aren't going to ask you about the time you got drunk when you were 18.
 
Under NO circumstances do this.

I was invited to interview at a school that asked about "arrest" history on its secondary applicati0n. Most ask about "convictions" so its already a miracle I was invited. I was arrested for a couple of things, though the record is expunged and does not come up on a certiphi background check. At the end of the interview if they ask me if theres anything I'd like the adcoms to know, should I make it a point to talk about this incident and how I have grown, since its right there on my application? I already wrote a paragraph there about it and all in my secondary, but was wondering if I should bring it up, or if secondary paragraph resopnse is good enough as they already have invited me.

The last thing I want to do is see the shock of horror on the interviewers face after a great conversation, but if mentioning it is necessary for honesty or growth or whatever then I'm all for it.
 
F*ck no...Closed file.

Tell them why you are amazing, and do not knock yourself in any way. SELLLLL YOURSELF.
 
thanks for all the advice. I mean its a no brainer to make the best impression on the interviewer.... but at the end of the day the interview report is still mixed in with the rest of the application materials and that is why I wanted to address the "blemish".

But yea lips sealed thanks fam.
 
I was invited to interview at a school that asked about "arrest" history on its secondary applicati0n. Most ask about "convictions" so its already a miracle I was invited. I was arrested for a couple of things, though the record is expunged and does not come up on a certiphi background check. At the end of the interview if they ask me if theres anything I'd like the adcoms to know, should I make it a point to talk about this incident and how I have grown, since its right there on my application? I already wrote a paragraph there about it and all in my secondary, but was wondering if I should bring it up, or if secondary paragraph resopnse is good enough as they already have invited me.

The last thing I want to do is see the shock of horror on the interviewers face after a great conversation, but if mentioning it is necessary for honesty or growth or whatever then I'm all for it.

Would you tell a first date you have herpes? Especially when it's not active and you're on Valtrex?
 
Would you tell a first date you have herpes? Especially when it's not active and you're on Valtrex?

No. But if I knew that she would find out later from a friend of mine, I'd rather she heard it from me in person.
 
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