Will my criminal history prevent me from ever going to medical school?

[rosesarered01]

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thanks everyone.

 

[Goro]

This is a tough one...let me ponder.

In the mean time, let's call in some big guns:
@gyngyn @LizzyM
@Moko
@Mr.Smile12
@LunaOri
@wysdoc
@Med Ed

 

[LizzyM]

I disagree with your lawyer. Read the AMCAS instructions carefully as they vary depending on your state of residence (because state laws vary in what can be asked on an application). Don't disclose charges that were dismissed if you are asked to disclose convictions and guilty pleas.

If the DWI happened >8 years ago when you were a teenager, you have your immaturity at the time of the offense and the many intervening years in your favor. With regard to the criminal trespass related to a violent romantic partner (have I understood that correctly?) a narrative around concerns about survivors of domestic violence and work in this area of public health/public policy might actually set you apart in a good way and help make the case that you would be a good candidate for admission and provide a viewpoint that might otherwise be missing in the incoming class.

 

[Med Ed]

I can't really follow the narrative. I agree with @LizzyM regarding the attorney's advice. No extra points are given for over-disclosing, and it makes you look like you have a problem with reading comprehension.

I would not apply before the expungement attempt has concluded. It would make things easier down the line if anything can get scrubbed off the old record.

Also, "with prejudice" means they cannot refile because the dismissal is permanent.

Still somewhat confused by the whole thing.

 

[Med Ed]

Sorry my first attempt to explain was confusing.I applied to my state med school two years ago. I disclosed the DWI/refuse officer from 2012 and the criminal trespass from 2016 on the AMCAS at that time. At my interview I was asked about the DWI and had to answer on the spot. I also talked about DV at the interview and in my personal statement. Anyhow I didn't get in and started working at my current job.
I filed for expungement last year in Oct 2019. I recently had to go speak to the attorney I hired this week bcuz they hadn't gotten back to me about where my case was. I found out I wasn't supposed to pay with my personal card for the fingerprints so when the law office sent them go the FBI, the FBI rejected them. I had to go back this week and redo the fingerprinting so the law office could resent them. So I have to wait a few weeks to see what the outcome will be with the fingerprints.
This cycle I would really like to apply and have started the application. I didn't want to put the aggravated assault under the felony question as I was never convicted but the disposition is currently "without prejudice". I incorrectly wrote the disposition incorrectly above.
Anyhow, the aggravated battery charge is from an abusive relationship I was in between undergraduate and grad school. I don't want to go into too many details about the ex, but he was charged with violent crimes within the last few years regarding stalking and had multiple aggravated assault charges as well as child abuse on his criminal record from other people. There is currently I warrant out for his arrest. He used the courts the be malicious after I had to call police to make him leave my apartment bcuz he got angry and started ravaging all my property and threw things at me. Unfortunately they did not arrest him at that incident bcuz my younger self asked them not to. I told him it was over after that. Then the next morning at 3am Cops came to my apartment and asked me to come down to the station to clear up some things. Being the naive person I was, I went with them and they handcuffs on me once we were outside and I had told them I was sleeping and didnt have a witness to say where I was between 12am and 3am. I lived alone and I later found out at the station what I was arrested for. A news reporter also published a humiliating article making fun of me. My mom had to call to make them take it down. He lied and had a person say they saw me at his place at 2 am on a bike in the war zone.
I don't want to disclose the incident on the AMCAS and I didn't the first time I applied. I am aware it might be better to wait until after the expungement.

Okay, I will attempt to summarize your mishaps as I understand them. Please correct or fill in missing details:

2012: DWI (+resisting arrest?) - Convicted, sentenced to probation
2016: Criminal trespass - Convicted, sentenced to probation
Not sure: Aggravated assault - "Never convicted"

You have filed for expungement of one or more of these. Not sure which.

 

[Med Ed]

2012: DWI + refuse officer - convicted. 1 year Probation completed along with DWI school, court fees, victims impact panel and interlock for 6 months.

2016: criminal trespass - convicted. 1 yr probation completed.

2016: aggravated assault - never convicted. Current disposition is "dismissed without prejudice"

DWI is not eligible for expungement in my state so I filed the expungement for the criminal trespass and aggravated assault.

Okay, so you're trying to expunge the criminal trespass conviction and the aggravated assault arrest.

I strongly suggest that you let the expungement play out before applying again. Getting the trespass wiped will significantly improve your chances.

You don't have to report the aggravated assault unless a secondary asks specifically about arrests.

Your issue isn't so much that each of these arrests/convictions is a killer. It's the constellation of them together. If you get your record swept then you can head into AMCAS with a 10-year-old DWI, which isn't really that significant. Again, I strongly suggest that you expunge whatever you can before heading down this road again.

 

[rosesarered01]

Okay, so you're trying to expunge the criminal trespass conviction and the aggravated assault arrest.

I strongly suggest that you let the expungement play out before applying again. Getting the trespass wiped will significantly improve your chances.

You don't have to report the aggravated assault unless a secondary asks specifically about arrests.

Your issue isn't so much that each of these arrests/convictions is a killer. It's the constellation of them together. If you get your record swept then you can head into AMCAS with a 10-year-old DWI, which isn't really that significant. Again, I strongly suggest that you expunge whatever you can before heading down this road again.

Thanks for the responses.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Yes, I will generally agree... let the expungement of records occur first if you can. I would make sure my lawyer reads and understands the AMCAS instructions, but you may want to check if a referral to one dealing with physician conduct can give some guidance.

 

[rosesarered01]

Hi again everyone,
I'm not sure if I'm going to apply this year after the feedback I got from everyone here. But I can't help wonder how I passed the background check for my current job as well as when I volunteered at the children's hospital. That hospital is the same hospital my state med school is affiliated with. It's a teaching hospital. Anyways, I did have to pass the hospitals background check to be around kids in the GPU and PICU. I'm aware med schools use the certiphi background check and maybe the hospital used a different background screening company? I also understand that volunteering is obviously a lot different then trying to get a medical license. Therefore the med school probably care more about serious criminal charges even though i was never convicted. Would most of you agree?

 

[Goro]

Your volunteering or your job are NOT the same as you practicing Medicine, that's why. As a doctor, people lives are in your hands.

 

[rosesarered01]

Your volunteering or your job are NOT the same as you practicing Medicine, that's why. As a doctor, people lives are in your hands.

Yeah that is basically what occurred to me. But I guess that would mean I could still work with children even if it wasn't as a doctor.
I'm positive I would face the same type of problem trying to become a PA if I can't get my record expunged.
So i really have no option but to get it expunged or I won't be able to do anything medical.
thanks for the response.

 

[LondonVibes]

Hi again everyone,
I'm not sure if I'm going to apply this year after the feedback I got from everyone here. But I can't help wonder how I passed the background check for my current job as well as when I volunteered at the children's hospital. That hospital is the same hospital my state med school is affiliated with. It's a teaching hospital. Anyways, I did have to pass the hospitals background check to be around kids in the GPU and PICU. I'm aware med schools use the certiphi background check and maybe the hospital used a different background screening company? I also understand that volunteering is obviously a lot different then trying to get a medical license. Therefore the med school probably care more about serious criminal charges even though i was never convicted. Would most of you agree?

It could be a difference between convictions and arrests. Some background checks don’t care if you’re not convicted. Most med schools’ background check services including certiphi do report arrests. That being said, if you’re case is dismissed or not guilty at trial, a good explanation on why the legal system made the right choice in not convicting you may clear things up and allow an acceptance.

 

[rosesarered01]

It could be a difference between convictions and arrests. Some background checks don’t care if you’re not convicted. Most med schools’ background check services including certiphi do report arrests. That being said, if you’re case is dismissed or not guilty at trial, a good explanation on why the legal system made the right choice in not convicting you may clear things up and allow an acceptance.

Thanks.
The "charge" I am worried about, I never made a plead or went to trial. I have ideas of why the courts didn't take it anywhere but the frustrating thing is that I was falsely accused as my ex partner was legally abusing Me. I don't want the medical committee or admissions board to think I'm making an excuse by saying I was falsely accused when that is honestly the truth

 

[LizzyM]

You were accused but the charges were dismissed -- although they could have been picked up again and may have been if you acted out (again). You aren't required to report charges that were dismissed In those secondaries where you are required to list charges, you can say that it was a fase accusation that prosecutors did not pursue.

The fact that your background check for a children's hospital cleared you to work with pediatric patients is evidence, to me, that you have a record that is not of concern to those who are trying to protect a vulnerable patient population and I think that med schools will see it the same way.

 

[rosesarered01]

So I did apply and I interviewed earlier this week...
I didn't see the benefit of applying to a ton of schools so I chose a few I thought I might have a chance to get in to.
My second interviewer told me I interviewed well at the end of the interview.
I did mention my two convictions early in the interview just because its part of my story of why I am where I am now.
He asked me what happened on the criminal trespass but then said i didn't have to talk about it if I didn't want to.
But I did. I had too. It happened. I have to be comfortable talking about it. I said it took me several times to leave before I actually did and the courts convicted me of that instead of some of the other false allegations that were made against me.
Idk. If i don't get in, it isn't really a big deal. My life won't dramatically change. I also mentioned the expungement to him.
Worst comes to worst, I don't get in. So i'll continue doing what I'm doing and hopefully this expungement happens in the next year.
I'm really only willing to apply one more time before calling it quits in the next one to two years.
It does feel good in a way to be able to tell my story.
I just have to wait and see what happens now.

 

[TragicalDrFaust]

I'm sorry your abuser was able to manipulate the system against you. It takes a lot of strength and courage to proceed on this med school path after that and I hope that's recognized. Good luck.

 

[rosesarered01]

I'm sorry your abuser was able to manipulate the system against you. It takes a lot of strength and courage to proceed on this med school path after that and I hope that's recognized. Good luck.

thanks. I hope so to. I heard good news from my attorney's office yesterday. I should have a court date soon. Hopefully in December so I can get a final decision. fingers crossed. I'm still preparing for the worst, but I should be proud of how far I've gotten regardless of obstacles. thanks again!