Which schools ask for disciplinary records and when?

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Rolling

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I have some questions that I am curious about. I am hoping some individuals with information can answer the following questions:

Which schools ask for disciplinary records? Does it depend on whether or not you check the IA box on the primary AMCAS application? Do schools ever ask for disciplinary records before interviews/after interviews/after acceptance and make it a requirement before matriculation? If an IA is not disclosed and a school receives your IA record and a letter updating them about the IA can they legally disclose this to AMCAS? I asked AMCAS if a student is able to update their application to include an IA, and they stated that the student must contact every school individually. How might you expect a student to deal with this situation? Let's assume that the IA is not academic, and there were no legal repercussions.
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Rolling said:
My friend has some questions that he/she is curious about. He/She is hoping some individuals with information can answer the following questions:

Which schools ask for disciplinary records? Does it depend on whether or not you check the IA box on the primary AMCAS application? Do schools ever ask for disciplinary records before interviews/after interviews/after acceptance and make it a requirement before matriculation? If an IA is not disclosed and a school receives your IA record and a letter updating them about the IA can they legally disclose this to AMCAS? He/She asked AMCAS if a student is able to update their application to include an IA, and they stated that the student must contact every school individually. He/She is not exactly sure what the appropriate course of action is.
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ftfy.
 
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I am simply looking for an honest answer.
 
Rolling said:
I have some questions that I am curious about. I am hoping some individuals with information can answer the following questions:

Which schools ask for disciplinary records? Does it depend on whether or not you check the IA box on the primary AMCAS application? Do schools ever ask for disciplinary records before interviews/after interviews/after acceptance and make it a requirement before matriculation? If an IA is not disclosed and a school receives your IA record and a letter updating them about the IA can they legally disclose this to AMCAS? I asked AMCAS if a student is able to update their application to include an IA, and they stated that the student must contact every school individually. How might you expect a student to deal with this situation? Let's assume that the IA is not academic, and there were no legal repercussions.
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My understanding is that schools that ask for disciplinary records do so for all students regardless of if you checked on AMCAS or not. Schools have completely different policies about this so there is no blanket statement except what has already been told to you in your other thread (meaning the only blanket statements are those given by AMCAS and you've been given all of the appropriate quotes to help you determine if you should say yes or not)

I would expect a student in this situation to answer honestly. If the situation is not academic and not serious, then schools will say "OK this student was honest but this IA wasn't a big deal so we will evaluate this student just like anyone else who applied." If the IA came after application, then you are required to notify all schools via email just like AMCAS told you. You would be similarly required to notify schools if you had a misdemeanor or felony after application

And yes, my understanding is that if you lie and schools later find out that you were lying, they can tell other schools about it
 
How can they legally inform another school given FERPA? They would not have the authorization to do so. Let's assume the event took place many many years ago to the point that it was not on the applicant's mind when writing AMCAS. It does not involve substance abuse.
 
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Rolling said:
How can they legally inform another school given FERPA? They would not have the authorization to do so. Let's assume the event took place many many years ago to the point that it was not on the applicant's mind when writing AMCAS. Additionally, it does not involve substance abuse.
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Generally, schools must have written permission from the parent or eligible student in order to release any information from a student's education record. However, FERPA allows schools to disclose those records, without consent, to the following parties or under the following conditions (34 CFR § 99.31):

  • School officials with legitimate educational interest;
  • Other schools to which a student is transferring;
  • Specified officials for audit or evaluation purposes;
  • Appropriate parties in connection with financial aid to a student;
  • Organizations conducting certain studies for or on behalf of the school;
  • Accrediting organizations;
  • To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena;
  • Appropriate officials in cases of health and safety emergencies; and
  • State and local authorities, within a juvenile justice system, pursuant to specific State law.
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Read up on FERPA. You aren't protected when you are trying to lie about your past to attend a different school.
 
Maybe you should consult a lawyer instead of SDN. People around here aren't exactly in the business of helping "your friend" lie or escape the consequences of their actions (yeah, I don't believe you anymore).

"Your friend" made their bed, and they have to lie in it. Looks like "they'll" need to update the schools. Don't seek out absolution here telling "them" it's okay to lie.
 
That's pretty vague. So that could be inter or intra? Let's say you were in the shoes of the applicant that has been described. What would you advise?
 
Rolling said:
How can they legally inform another school given FERPA? They would not have the authorization to do so. Let's assume the event took place many many years ago to the point that it was not on the applicant's mind when writing AMCAS. It does not involve substance abuse.
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From the AMCAS Instruction Manual: (p.6)
-"I certify that the information in this application and associated materials is current, complete, and accurate to the best of my knowledge.”

-“I understand that I am required to inform the Admissions Office of each medical school to which I apply if I become the subject of an institutional action after the date of original application submission and prior to medical school matriculation. I understand that this communication must be in writing and must occur within ten (10) business days of the occurrence of the institutional action.”

Your certification of this statement takes the place of your legal signature and is binding. When you certify (electronically sign) your application, you signify that you have read this information as well as all other instructions throughout the application.
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Rolling said:
That's pretty vague. So that could be inter or intra? Let's say you were in the shoes of the applicant that has been described. What would you advise?
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If you don't like it, then don't apply. If it really isn't a big deal (like you're trying to claim) then just put it down and hope that adcom's agree. If you are worried about wasting money by applying when it's a bigger deal than you thought, then anonymously call a few admissions offices and ask.
 
sector9 said:
Unless you can clearly state how there is confusion in the AMCAS materials that have been supplied to you, then you are a troll.
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Not a troll. Just looking for someone to give them the answer they want to hear (ie you are fine not reporting it).

OP. AMCAS clearly says you have to update the schools. FERPA won't cover you. Everyone replying to your multiple posts on SDN advises you to disclose in an update. Do it, or stop asking. No one here will tell you it's okay to lie
 
Alright guys, stop fighting over this back and forth. We're all trying to help out each other here.
Lemme give my opinion on the matter (not that it's the right answer).
Will the schools ask for the records?
We don't know, but probably not. If it's in your transcript, they will definitely take a look at it. If not, will they take their busy time off trying to check every applicant's disciplinary record? Probably not, but they might. However, I'll lean on the "they won't check" side of this.
Do you want to risk it?
Go ahead, it's your decision. If they don't catch you, well, good for you cuz that's what you were hoping for, isn't it? If they do, you really have nothing to complain about since you did cheat twice.
So what should you do?
Put your hand on your heart, and think about whatever incident you are debating about reporting or not in your application. Do you honestly believe that was not a misdemeanor and that it was not recorded anywhere? Then go ahead and say no. If not, then I would say yes and try to show that you've learned a lesson from it + you won't do it again + blah blah blah. It's your decision.
 
Cheat? Twice? How could that be the case with this hypothetical applicant?
 
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