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Too long. Won't quote...Background:
During my senior year of college, an ex-SO of mine accused me of stalking after someone anonymously sent her letters and she couldn't figure out who did it. I was seeing someone else at this time. This SO also claimed that every fight we ever had as a couple (over the span of two years) constituted relationship violence and abuse. When I say "fights," I'm talking about your typical stupid fights over inconsequential stuff (saying hi to another girl, not spending enough time together, etc.). Nothing physical ever happened, but she also claimed I grabbed her arm one time. The case was handled by my institution's Title IX office.
Long story short, after conducting an investigation, the Title IX office offered an informal settlement between us where we both were just told to stay away from each other (thank God). According to the office, these are rarely offered (as most of the cases they investigate are much more serious e.g. rape/assault/etc.). I had vehemently denied the allegations and had prepared up to a dozen witnesses (close friends of both of us) for my defense. There was no official hearing/trial. I did not make an admission of responsibility, nor was I sanctioned under the Student Conduct Code. I did proactively offer to take separate alcohol and anger management assessments, but I was repeatedly assured by the Title IX investigator that these did not constitute IAs. She was even kind enough to enter a note on my file officially saying that.
I also triple checked with the associate dean of my institution's office of student affairs, and I have saved emails from her saying this incident did not constitute an IA after reviewing my file. I do not believe my emails to either the investigator or the dean of student affairs is a part of my file, though again, I do have them saved in case anyone ever asks to see them. According to the student conduct office, any request by med schools for disciplinary records won't receive the full file, but instead will receive a standard checklist of questions (i.e. "Was this student ever investigated?", "If so, was this student ever found guilty?", "Was this student ever sanctioned?") Because I wasn't officially "exonerated" through a formal hearing/trial, would med schools have doubt over whether I was actually responsible or not because of the settlement?
Thanks to @Goro being kind enough to offer his patented SDN wisdom in the past, I answered "No" to the question of IA on AMCAS since I was never sanctioned. However, a record of the investigation exists on my student disciplinary file (standard protocol). I've been blessed and very fortunate to have received a number of IIs already. This is probably due to the stress of the current application cycle, but I'm very concerned/neurotic that any acceptance offered to me by a medical school will be in danger of being rescinded once they view my disciplinary file and see the investigation/informal settlement.
TL/DR questions:
- Even though I wasn't officially sanctioned by my institution, should I be concerned of any future med school acceptances being rescinded over the existence of an investigation and its subsequent informal settlement?
- Because I wasn't officially "exonerated" through a formal hearing/trial, would med schools have doubt over whether I was actually responsible or not because of the settlement and no official hearing/trial?
1) if you did not violate your student honor code, there's no obligation to report from the institution, and you are not compelled to disclose as if it were. The issue sounds very cloudy and complicated, and any prejudice thinking that you are guilty would be improper (in my non legal opinion). So, short answer: I vote no.
2) legally I can't think that you would be rejected for that reason. Similarly, I vote no.