Unlucky Disciplinary Actions

[TylerRoberts]

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So I have had an excellent undergraduate pre-med experience. I also have a double major with psychology. I am a white male and my college Gpa =3.757 and science GPA = 3.695 MCAT score = 30. I am a licensed EMT-B, I have volunteered and shadowed physicians at 3 separate hospitals, done research in both psychology and with a physiology professor, I have traveled on a mission trip to Africa as an EMT, and studied abroad in Europe. I hold multiple leaderships positions...basically a ton of EC stuff.

But I have an unlucky streak. My first night of college freshmen year my roommate had a case of beer in the room and we both got written up for possession. Super unlucky and I hadn't drank at all. Then a year later I get caught with beer again but this time a fake Id as well. It is really unlucky and stupid of me but luckily the University thought the same. I had minor university infractions and was sent on my way. Now as a senior I am worried that my freshman/sophomore blunders will impede my chances.

I am not selective on where I go I just want to get in to either MD or DO. I am afraid that this will be viewed as a "pattern" of poor behavior. I want the honest opinion of if this will truly hurt my chances.

 

[gmcguitar4]

The school didn't take any action. The police were never involved either. You are good. I was caught in a room with alcohol my freshman year to but unlike you I had a 40 oz of old E in my hand. Got written up but that was the last of it.

 

[varsityblue]

I had to deal with something similar in the college application process and I can assure you that what happened will not keep you out of the best schools. Your grades, MCAT score, and extracurriculars say a lot more about you than some unlucky disciplinary stuff.

Here's what you should do:
1) Mention something really vague about school sanctions in your personal statement but don't put blame on the school.
2) Write a short essay explaining the circumstances and attach it to the "Additional Information" section of your app.
3) Ask a trusted mentor employed by the university to write something about the circumstances in their LOR.

Best wishes! 🙂

 

[gmcguitar4]

Before you do anything like include it in additional information section of any application, you should call the school and ask if this will be seen by other programs that you are applying too. Judging by how minor these sound, I don't think they will be. Did the school take any action against you or did you just get written up and get warnings?

 

[Kadava Reviva]

So I have had an excellent undergraduate pre-med experience. I also have a double major with psychology. I am a white male and my college Gpa =3.757 and science GPA = 3.695 MCAT score = 30. I am a licensed EMT-B, I have volunteered and shadowed physicians at 3 separate hospitals, done research in both psychology and with a physiology professor, I have traveled on a mission trip to Africa as an EMT, and studied abroad in Europe. I hold multiple leaderships positions...basically a ton of EC stuff.

But I have an unlucky streak. My first night of college freshmen year my roommate had a case of beer in the room and we both got written up for possession. Super unlucky and I hadn't drank at all. Then a year later I get caught with beer again but this time a fake Id as well. It is really unlucky and stupid of me but luckily the University thought the same. I had minor university infractions and was sent on my way. Now as a senior I am worried that my freshman/sophomore blunders will impede my chances.

I am not selective on where I go I just want to get in to either MD or DO. I am afraid that this will be viewed as a "pattern" of poor behavior. I want the honest opinion of if this will truly hurt my chances.

How long ago did this happen? Everyone knows just about every young person does something stupid with EtOH at some point. If it doesn't show on your transcripts, you'll be fine. In order for any disciplinary action to show on your transcript, due process has to be followed and usually only applies to academic dishonesty or serious infractions.

First, you get notified disciplinary action is being taken against you.
Second, a date is fixed for the discip committee to hear the case.
Third, the discip hearing is held. Depending on the institution, you may have a lawyer or a law student from the student law society represent you. Both sides are heard and the hearing ends.
Fourth, you are notified of the committee's decision. If you are found guilty, a course of action will be suggested (suspension, grade reduction, written reprimand, expulsion, etc). You may appeal the decision before a set deadline. If you are found guilty and lose your appeal or don't contest, the president of the university will receive the committee's recommendations aprove it (It is very unlikely that the president will reject the committee's findings and recommendations) and will have the registrar record the disciplinary actions in your documents. Your transcript will show somewhere that disciplinary action was applied.

If you don't go to kangooroo court, you don't get a stain in your transcripts.
Order a copy of your transcripts and check iy out for yourself. It is generally the only document sent from your undergrad school to the med schools. You may also make a request to view your file. They have to grant it.

In short, you are fine.
I hope your mind is at ease.
By the way, your résumé sounds impressive. If you have good references, you should be in with no problems.


Good luck!

 

[TriagePreMed]

I wonder if ADCOMS would really care over that. Honestly, that's just an unlucky college student because everyone does that kinda stuff.

 

[Goro]

Normally, we do forgive stupid and/or immature actions. I remember what it's like to be 20, and still cringe.

BUT, the OP wrote something telling, that he was unlucky the 2nd time to be caught with EtOH AND have a fake ID. So, what comes across to me was that he wasn't unlucky to be around someone who had EtOH, he was just unlucky enough to be caught, period.

What concerns me is the lack of ownership of the problem. And, that he didn't learn from the first mistake. That's even a bit more serious.

We've rejected people who've represented their past this way, instead of owning up to their mistakes.

So, OP, just be careful in how you word any explanation of your infractions.

I wonder if ADCOMS would really care over that. Honestly, that's just an unlucky college student because everyone does that kinda stuff.

 

[TriagePreMed]

Unfortunately, you gotta listen to this guy. America has a fetish with apologies, even over inconsequential things like a little bit of beer and an ID that at most can help you get into some overpriced, noisy, clubs.

Normally, we do forgive stupid and/or immature actions. I remember what it's like to be 20, and still cringe.

BUT, the OP wrote something telling, that he was unlucky the 2nd time to be caught with EtOH AND have a fake ID. So, what comes across to me was that he wasn't unlucky to be around someone who had EtOH, he was just unlucky enough to be caught, period.

What concerns me is the lack of ownership of the problem. And, that he didn't learn from the first mistake. That's even a bit more serious.

We've rejected people who've represented their past this way, instead of owning up to their mistakes.

So, OP, just be careful in how you word any explanation of your infractions.