MD Should I disclose it?

[emilyanne1470]

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[medicalschoolhopeful]

I mean, if they don't specifically ask you to disclose that information, you don't have to. If they do ask, though, you can't lie about it. Be honest and explain how you've matured from that time

 

[emilyanne1470]

They do specifically ask for disclosure of institutional conduct violations on the AMCAS application though. So I guess it's a grey area of whether this is the kind of misconduct they expect you to disclose.

 

[LolMedSchool666]

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[SpoiledMilk]

@LizzyM @Goro @gyngyn

 

[JPmoleymole]

Ask your premed advisor

 

[Mwooster]

Some of the responses posted in this thread have been lower quality than the sandwiches made at my neighborhood Subway

 

[gyngyn]

Make an appointment with your student affairs dean.
Ask if this is classified as an institutional action.
If it is, you must disclose:

"You must answer Yes to this question if you were ever the recipient of any institutional
action by any college or medical school for unacceptable academic performance or
conduct violation, even if such action did not interrupt your enrollment or require you to
withdraw. You must answer Yes even if the action does not appear on or has been deleted
or expunged from your official transcripts due to institutional policy or personal petition.
If you answer Yes, you must briefly explain each instance, along with the date(s) of
occurrence (MM/YYYY). Your response may be up to 1,325 characters or approximately
one-quarter of a page in length.
Failure to provide accurate information in answering this question or, if applicable, in
completing the form provided by the school, will result in an investigation. Medical
schools require you to answer this question accurately and provide all relevant
information. Medical schools understand that many individuals learn from the past and
emerge stronger as a result. Full disclosure will enable the medical schools to more
effectively evaluate this information within the context of your credentials."
https://aamc-orange.global.ssl.fastly.net/.../filer.../amcas_instruction_manual.pdf

 

[Goro]

My freshman year of college, I was subject to minor disciplinary action for underage drinking in my friend's dorm. Basically this meant that I had to meet with the residence hall coordinator to discuss what lead to my poor decision making, and she then referred me to a counselor for a one-time session to talk about strategies for coping with the transition to college. On paper, my charge was that I was found in the presence of alcohol, and I didn't get a fine or anything like that. For the most part it was no big deal. The residence hall coordinator explained to me that it would be documented with the housing department, but that at my school my housing record is distinct from my school disciplinary record.

What do you guys think the chances are that this is something that schools will look at when they're considering my prior conduct? My worry is that since I'm applying to the medical school here, they might be more likely to have access to or request access to a housing record since that is where charges like this are dealt with at my school. Since I'm an in-state student, my chances of getting into a good med school are highest here so I don't want to jeopardize that. However, I'd prefer not to disclose this to other schools who wouldn't otherwise know to ask about my housing record. Am I worried for nothing? Should I disclose it or not disclose it?

This is so minor that even if you have to disclose it, simply own it and explain it like you did here.

 

[emilyanne1470]

Update: So I contacted the office of the Dean of Students, and it turns out that this charge was on my disciplinary record after all but has now been removed since it happened several years ago. They referred to it as a "disciplinary reprimand", so basically a warning, but it's still probably considered institutional action. She said I wouldn't have to disclose it, but according to the AMCAS I am supposed to disclose it anyway, right?

 

[candbgirl]

Yes. But as @Goro said it’s so minor and so long ago it shouldn’t impact you at all. When describing it and if asked in interviews be upfront and own it.

 

[Goro]

Update: So I contacted the office of the Dean of Students, and it turns out that this charge was on my disciplinary record after all but has now been removed since it happened several years ago. They referred to it as a "disciplinary reprimand", so basically a warning, but it's still probably considered institutional action. She said I wouldn't have to disclose it, but according to the AMCAS I am supposed to disclose it anyway, right?

You need to disclose it. Again, this will be trivial

 

[LizzyM]

You will disclose it. It is highly unlikely to have any bearing on admission decisions.