URGENT: Last minute background check response - expected to respond within 2 days - What do I Do?

[Unownunown802]

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Hello all, Long time lurker here - was going to be an M1 by this August until I received an email from the school I'm matriculating into. Apparently their 2nd FBI background check revealed 2 counts of domestic battery 2 years apart back in the mid 2000s. They ask for a statement to explain or contend these charges within a couple days. My parents and I are both freaking out.

Some backstory: I'm sure there are many first generation immigrant asian kids that can relate to culture clashes that may happen in some households. Mine was one such household, and eventually my teenage angst got the better of me. Nights of crying/hyperventilation/punching the walls had my parents flustered on how to deal with me (they are used to non questioning obedience as they were taught in Taiwan and expected me to behave likewise), so in a state of frustration they called the police and to have me down for domestic battery, twice (the police were able to get this charge when they asked if I pushed my dad at all during arguments and he said 'yes'). Besides those times, they would call for nights when I would cry all night and not talk to them, or when I would not do my homework, etc. It was only when the cops got so frustrated with my parents that they asked them to stop calling them on every single whim (while encouraging to call if something severe were to happen) did my parents edge off this crutch on how to deal with me. Now, almost a decade later, I look back thanking my parents for instilling in me a sense of humility and discipline while at the same time creating my own sense of self/freedom through my college years. It's a bittersweet past of ours, but we have since forgiven each other for our mistakes and, specifically, my brash behavior....that is until this notice came up. Both my parents and I do not wish for these two 'charges' to harm my future profession, and we did not expect it to show up. I ask the SDN community for any advice on how to approach my/our statement within two days.

I am REALLY sorry for this to sound rushed. Once I calm down perhaps I can not type everything in one block. But for now, this is what I got, any advice would be greatly appreciated.

tl;dr Teenage angst and some admittedly haphazard decision making by my parents resulted, almost 10 years later, in a potential med school acceptance being rescinded if not justified within 2 days.

 

[xffan624]

Hello all, Long time lurker here - was going to be an M1 by this August until I received an email from the school I'm matriculating into. Apparently their 2nd FBI background check revealed 2 counts of domestic battery 2 years apart back in the mid 2000s. They ask for a statement to explain or contend these charges within a couple days. My parents and I are both freaking out.

Some backstory: I'm sure there are many first generation immigrant asian kids that can relate to culture clashes that may happen in some households. Mine was one such household, and eventually my teenage angst got the better of me. Nights of crying/hyperventilation/punching the walls had my parents flustered on how to deal with me (they are used to non questioning obedience as they were taught in Taiwan and expected me to behave likewise), so in a state of frustration they called the police and to have me down for domestic battery, twice (the police were able to get this charge when they asked if I pushed my dad at all during arguments and he said 'yes'). Besides those times, they would call for nights when I would cry all night and not talk to them, or when I would not do my homework, etc. It was only when the cops got so frustrated with my parents that they asked them to stop calling them on every single whim (while encouraging to call if something severe were to happen) did my parents edge off this crutch on how to deal with me. Now, almost a decade later, I look back thanking my parents for instilling in me a sense of humility and discipline while at the same time creating my own sense of self/freedom through my college years. It's a bittersweet past of ours, but we have since forgiven each other for our mistakes and, specifically, my brash behavior....that is until this notice came up. Both my parents and I do not wish for these two 'charges' to harm my future profession, and we did not expect it to show up. I ask the SDN community for any advice on how to approach my/our statement within two days.

I am REALLY sorry for this to sound rushed. Once I calm down perhaps I can not type everything in one block. But for now, this is what I got, any advice would be greatly appreciated.

tl;dr Teenage angst and some admittedly haphazard decision making by my parents resulted, almost 10 years later, in a potential med school acceptance being rescinded if not justified within 2 days.

Didn't you have to report these on a secondary or AMCAS application? Also most background checks ask for any events that might be found. Did you not report this earlier? If the answer is no and you had an opportunity to do so earlier, you might be SOL.

 

[Unownunown802]

Didn't you have to report these on a secondary or AMCAS application? Also most background checks ask for any events that might be found. Did you not report this earlier? If the answer is no and you had an opportunity to do so earlier, you might be SOL.

I have discussed this with my parents. They (and myself) were under the impression that it is a temporary "charge" to scare me as a juvenile. My parents admitted to using the charge as a 'scare' tactic, as they were not familiar with how criminal law and background checks work around the states.

 

[tdram]

What to do? You gotta explain what happened and let what happens happen.

 

[xffan624]

I have discussed this with my parents. They (and myself) were under the impression that it is a temporary "charge" to scare me as a juvenile. My parents admitted to using the charge as a 'scare' tactic, as they were not familiar with how criminal law and background checks work around the states.

The right answer is you should have done your due diligence and consulted with a lawyer prior to answering "no" on the AMCAS. The only option you have now is to explain this misconception to the school and beg forgiveness. There is no guarantee this will not still result in an rescinded acceptance. Had this been reported, it probably would not have killed your application. Finding it after the fact on a background check OTOH...

 

[operaman]

I think a letter basically outlining what you've said above with a little more eloquence and formality would probably do it. Would also have your parents write a letter on your behalf explaining their perspective at the time. I didn't realize that you have to disclose juvenile charges or that they would even show up on a background check. Unless the application clearly stated you needed to disclose even juvenile arrests, I think you can argue that you didn't disclose them earlier because you were under 18 at the time and were under the impression that you did not have to disclose things that happened when you were a minor.

 

[JFS]

If I were in your shoes I would write a detailed explanation of the events as they occurred, including letters from both of your parents.

It'd be good to get @LizzyM or @Goro 's input.

 

[Goro]

Concur with this. A batery charge at 16 i'd let slide, especially if you've had exemplary behavior since them. A chat with a lawyer might be needed too.

But anything violent after age 18 and I'd reject you going into the interview room.

If I were in your shoes I would write a detailed explanation of the events as they occurred, including letters from both of your parents.

It'd be good to get @LizzyM or @Goro 's input.

 

[Kahreek]

I think a letter basically outlining what you've said above with a little more eloquence and formality would probably do it. Would also have your parents write a letter on your behalf explaining their perspective at the time. I didn't realize that you have to disclose juvenile charges or that they would even show up on a background check. Unless the application clearly stated you needed to disclose even juvenile arrests, I think you can argue that you didn't disclose them earlier because you were under 18 at the time and were under the impression that you did not have to disclose things that happened when you were a minor.

sound advice.
This is the best you can do right now.

 

[starstarie]

Yeah I would probably consult a lawyer asap. They usually do a consult for free. You might get lucky and the school will understand the situation and be lenient . It looks pretty bad that you didnt tell them before. At this point there is little yo are in control of.

 

[LizzyM]

I think that you just have to explain to the school what happened, why you were charged, and why you thought that you didn't need to report this. (Did you appear before a judge? were you found guilty& placed on probation? did you fail to appear in court? There are a few facts missing here.) With any luck, they will see that this was teenage misbehavior that is not a harbinger of bad behavior in the future.

 

[Unownunown802]

I think that you just have to explain to the school what happened, why you were charged, and why you thought that you didn't need to report this. (Did you appear before a judge? were you found guilty& placed on probation? did you fail to appear in court? There are a few facts missing here.) With any luck, they will see that this was teenage misbehavior that is not a harbinger of bad behavior in the future.

I was never placed in front of a judge. I sat in a cell for a couple hours and was returned home after getting fingerprinted. I was 16 and 14. There was no court and my parents were told that all charges were erased. We are all just as confused about it as you are, which is not a good sign.

Also, regarding having the parents letters, I was told by gyngyn not to have them write one, as that is not what the school wants.

 

[rodmichael82]

Listen man calm down it's not the end of the world. First of all it's complete BS that they are bringing up charges you got when you were 16. Explain to them in a letter, keeping it completely professional that you were under the impression that you didn't have to disclose your record as a minor. I'm 99.99 % sure they will let this slide if you are honest with them about the misunderstanding.

Okay I read your second post. YOU WERE NOT CONVICTED OF ANYTHING SO TELL THE SCHOOL THAT AND TELL THEM TO chill out.

 

[LivingEdge]

Concur with this. A batery charge at 16 i'd let slide, especially if you've had exemplary behavior since them. A chat with a lawyer might be needed too.

But anything violent after age 18 and I'd reject you going into the interview room.

What's magical about the age of 18?

 

[tdram]

What's magical about the age of 18?

It's the age that every human being transitions from child to adult, as dictated by the government.

 

[SBR249]

I'd look into getting your arrest record expunged. It might be a bit iffy depending on where you are since you were arrested twice and some places have minimum age limits but it's worth looking into to avoid this type of stuff in the future. Because this thing will keep coming back.

 

[calvnandhobbs68]

Listen man calm down it's not the end of the world. First of all it's complete BS that they are bringing up charges you got when you were 16. Explain to them in a letter, keeping it completely professional that you were under the impression that you didn't have to disclose your record as a minor. I'm 99.99 % sure they will let this slide if you are honest with them about the misunderstanding.

Okay I read your second post. YOU WERE NOT CONVICTED OF ANYTHING SO TELL THE SCHOOL THAT AND TELL THEM TO chill out.

Yeah are you sure you didn't sign anything pleading guilty? If you were just arrested who the f cares...that's exactly how you explain it. You were arrested but the charges were dropped for lack of evidence. You can get arrested for actually anything...they could come arrest you for murder tomorrow but it doesn't mean you did it.

 

[starstarie]

Hello all, Long time lurker here - was going to be an M1 by this August until I received an email from the school I'm matriculating into. Apparently their 2nd FBI background check revealed 2 counts of domestic battery 2 years apart back in the mid 2000s. They ask for a statement to explain or contend these charges within a couple days. My parents and I are both freaking out.

Some backstory: I'm sure there are many first generation immigrant asian kids that can relate to culture clashes that may happen in some households. Mine was one such household, and eventually my teenage angst got the better of me. Nights of crying/hyperventilation/punching the walls had my parents flustered on how to deal with me (they are used to non questioning obedience as they were taught in Taiwan and expected me to behave likewise), so in a state of frustration they called the police and to have me down for domestic battery, twice (the police were able to get this charge when they asked if I pushed my dad at all during arguments and he said 'yes'). Besides those times, they would call for nights when I would cry all night and not talk to them, or when I would not do my homework, etc. It was only when the cops got so frustrated with my parents that they asked them to stop calling them on every single whim (while encouraging to call if something severe were to happen) did my parents edge off this crutch on how to deal with me. Now, almost a decade later, I look back thanking my parents for instilling in me a sense of humility and discipline while at the same time creating my own sense of self/freedom through my college years. It's a bittersweet past of ours, but we have since forgiven each other for our mistakes and, specifically, my brash behavior....that is until this notice came up. Both my parents and I do not wish for these two 'charges' to harm my future profession, and we did not expect it to show up. I ask the SDN community for any advice on how to approach my/our statement within two days.

I am REALLY sorry for this to sound rushed. Once I calm down perhaps I can not type everything in one block. But for now, this is what I got, any advice would be greatly appreciated.

tl;dr Teenage angst and some admittedly haphazard decision making by my parents resulted, almost 10 years later, in a potential med school acceptance being rescinded if not justified within 2 days.

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