Medical What are my chances of getting accepted with an IA junior year?

[TheBoneDoctah]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Sorry for bad grammar if you notice any; English is not my first language. I am currently a senior. My GPA is 3.99 and my MCAT score is 520. URM, Canadian Citizen.

I have fairly decent ECs:

two psych-related pubs (one first author pub), multiple conference presentations, 500 community service hours, 600 clinical hours with 300 being paid clinical position. 40 hour shadowing. I am a TA as well.

However, during the beginning of my junior year, I was caught cheating on an upper-div science exam. Horrible, horrible action with no excuse. I know no one will believe this, but it was my first time cheating on an academic matter ever. My brother got admitted to a mental hospital during the week of my exam, and I could not study whatsoever. Panicking, I resorted to the worst action I could take; cheating and betraying my prof's and peer's trust. No excuse. Regardless of my circumstances, I made the choice to cheat. No one forced me to do what I did.

Although this action isn't on my transcript, I believe it is on internal school records. Because of this, I was hesitant in applying this cycle. I am planning to apply next cycle while I am enrolled in a masters program. My calculated GPA wasn't hurt because I retook the class.

Here are my questions:

1. If it isn't on my school records by any chance (probably is on school records but just in case), would I still need to mark this as an IA on AMCAS? I am not sure if the matter was escalated to the point where my institution took an action on me. Prof told me that he/she was required to report the incident.

2. If it is on my school records, would I have a better chance at dental schools than medical schools?

3. Any suggestions on how to get out of this predicament would be greatly appreciated. Did I screw up my chances of becoming a doctor?

1. I would check and see if it’s on record.

2. No.

 

[Goro]

Thank you for your response. Waiting for a response from school admins. What would happen if it isn't on record?

I will give you a word of warning, I have seen students outed by letter writers who have said something like " Dent has grown so much since the cheating incident"

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

I will give you a word of warning, I have seen students outed by letter writers who have said something like " Dent has grown so much since the cheating incident"

Ouch

 

[Goro]

Thank you so much for your response. One more reason to disclose it. Disclosing my action on the application would be better for my conscience either way.

Did I completely screw up my chances? If I did, I would not be surprised. It is reasonable to assume that cheating students most often lead to dishonest doctors. I just want someone with experience to tell me that "oh, you screwed up" so it can help me accept the hard fact that I will not become a doctor anymore.

I can't sugarcoat this, it's going to hurt. The fact that this occurred in your junior year, when you should have known better compared to your freshman or sophomore year where we might be able to give you some slack for being young and immature makes a difference.

The more time you take between the incident and applying will help. Engage in service to others less fortunate to yourself and also in positions of responsibility.

Sometimes you have to apply with the application you have, warts and all. If you don't apply your rejection rate will be 100%

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

Agree with above. If you can really show that your character is good and that this was just a hiccup in your track record then you still may have a shot.

You really gotta get some volunteering in though. Maybe taking a gap year to put more time in between this incidence and application may be beneficial.