Worth Still Pursuing Med School after 2 Misdemeanors?

[nham.8]

I recently have received separate charges on separate incidents including a class 2 misdemeanor for underaged driving after consuming and a class 1 misdemeanor for petty theft. Neither of these cases are settled and there is a possibility the petty theft charges are dropped. However, in the event neither are dropped, is it worth pursuing med school still? I currently have 2 years left in college, 3.8gpa, 180 volunteer hours, 200+ clinical hours, 90 hours TA and am working on my EMT certification this summer. I will most likely consult an attorney in my state but would appreciate any insights to precedents similar to my situation.

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[RunnerDad]

The underage driving after consuming is not going to stand in your way, provided you accept responsibility and show that you've learned from it. I would think the petty theft charge is the more serious one for purposes of med school admission, since it's a crime of "moral turpitude." I'll defer to others in this community on whether this would be a categorical bar to your admission, but you'd need to explain this incident with humility and serious reflection.

 

[Goro]

How old are you?

What did you steal?

In any event, do not **** up again.

 

[nham.8]

How old are you?

What did you steal?

In any event, do not **** up again.

20, me and a friend stole team issued apparel out of the coaches lockeroom of a stadium.

I’ve been dejected for days. I’m just holding out hope I get leniency for all the work I’ve put in but I imagine this is the most likely scenario.

 

[Goro]

20, me and a friend stole team issued apparel out of the coaches lockeroom of a stadium.

I’ve been dejected for days. I’m just holding out hope I get leniency for all the work I’ve put in but I imagine this is the most likely scenario.

The more time you put between your transgressions and applying, the better.

 

[LunaOri]

How old were you at the time of the theft?

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Neither of these cases are settled and there is a possibility the petty theft charges are dropped. However, in the event neither are dropped, is it worth pursuing med school still?

I wouldn't apply at all until this case is settled. Don't make your IA description an "evolving statement" when the process lasts 14 months.

 

[Med Ed]

Come back when the cases are settled. And stay clean in the meantime.

 

[GoSpursGo]

These both sound bad to me, and the fact there are multiple makes this a pattern rather than an isolated event.

You can still potentially apply for med school, but I think you're going to need 3-5 years from your last misdemeanor before you apply.

 

[LizzyM]

Obviously, as you are only 2 years into college, you won't be applying for another year or two which is time for this process to work itself out.

Underage drinking and then driving, is, by definition, something done by a person who is not fully mature. Putting some time between you and the incident is wise. You admit that you were wrong to drink when underage and that you did not think through the consequences of driving after drinking, in part because drinking impairs one's mind.

Stealing branded clothing from the coach's area of a stadium.... was this a prank or a dare, or did you think you could get away with it? Did you intend to sell the stuff or use it? (you need not answer here, but these are questions that should be answered if you do need to write this up as an IA/misdemeanor) I hope, for your sake, that the charges are dropped. If not you'll need to explain in detail what was taken, and why you did so. Show remorse and, obviously, note that you would never do such a thing ever again.

 

[wysdoc]

I’ll give a tough answer to this one- get through college and then get a job and grow up. Both your offenses sound like someone who is immature and going with the flow of peer pressure, not thinking things through at all. Do I want that guy for my doctor? Not at all.

 

[Goro]

I’ll give a tough answer to this one- get through college and then get a job and grow up. Both your offenses sound like someone who is immature and going with the flow of peer pressure, not thinking things through at all. Do I want that guy for my doctor? Not at all.

Adcoms may think:
Is this someone we want In our class?

We have plenty of applicants who don't have these types of things"

 

[LeaveNoTrace]

Not gonna stop you but IF you're convicted you might want to have at least 5 years between application and conviction. The more prosocial stuff you can do between now and then the better. Americorps, Peace Corps, and military service all look good - but don't join the Peace Corps or especially the Army just to bolster your application. Good luck, and stay out of trouble. There is a chance you can get these charges dismissed or expunged after several years of good behavior, and to my knowledge medical school applications only ask about convictions. I am no lawyer, however, and if that becomes your situation you should consult one.

Stay out of trouble and do well on the MCAT. Your ship's not sunk.

 

[TragicalDrFaust]

I was accepted with an expunged felony a handful of years ago, about 10 years after the expungement. You can PM me.

In general though, you want 5 years between the incident and the application. I tried to show in my application that I had matured and was ready to be responsible.