Public Intoxication an issue?

[oompaloompab0i]

hi ya'll
im applying right now, but i have misdemeanor for public intoxication in texas (im from california) from 2 years ago my freshman year in college. i know that i can justify it by saying i joined a fraternity, it was my first year, and that i made bad decisions but now im totally changed. i do have a couple of questions though.
1. how bad does it look to have this on my record for medical schools? like do they automatically discount my veritability (because there are so many other applicants that dont have this on their record)?
2. do misdemeanors from another state even show up on my background check (since im from california, and ive heard that only felony transfer between states)?

im a 3.58 over gpa, with a science gpa of 3.6, MCAT 33. ive also done research 2.5 years, volunteering 1 yr, shadowing 1/2 yr etc....does this record from 2 years ago hurt a lot?

[jameslynton]

No it does not hurt you one bit. Only felonies hurt.

[oompaloompab0i]

why does george washington univeristy ask for it then? because it specifically asked for charged or convicted violations, not felonies. amcas asks for felonies...but GWU specificies any and all violations except minor traffic violations. im just wondering if this is suggesting that even misdemeanors count against you.

[jameslynton]

why does george washington univeristy ask for it then? because it specifically asked for charged or convicted violations, not felonies. amcas asks for felonies...but GWU specificies any and all violations except minor traffic violations. im just wondering if this is suggesting that even misdemeanors count against you.They are looking for misdemeanor battery or issues that are angry crime or drug related. They can ask - but you don't have to give it. It is after all a misdemeanor, These are your business and not matters of public record if you were underage or goofed up back then. A person can be charged with a crime but never convicted. This happens at many beach towns, it used to be called the dirt feet law in Florida. If you had dirt feet, you were running away from a "crime". So they would take you in and charge you. Many college towns do this - charge you a fine and the record just sort of disappears and the police chief and mayor gets a bit richer.

I would not give them any info about this. I generally every couple of years get traffic tickets. A lawyer in court - would say I am a chronic offender. As is about 85% of the American public. So what!

[oompaloompab0i]

hey jameslyton,
thanks for the reply. but again, i just dont want to be caught "lying" if they ask why i didnt include it...i mean i cant say i didnt think it meant anything. the question asks "have you ever been charged or convicted of a violation other than minor traffic violations". and i called texas to check my record and its still there, they said i have been convicted of the misdemeanor of public intoxication adn it is a violation. again, im not arguing with you, i just want to make sure that this is not what med schools are asking (or although it may not be a deciding factor, they would want me to at least state it)?

[ericismyname]

Not to thread steal.

But in this post: http://www.valuemd.com/premed-forum/138436-general.html

James, you never mentioned anything to me about since it was a dismissed misdemeanor, where as I was arrested and the case was dismissed. When they say charged or convincted do I check no? Because my record will only show that I was arrested and dismissed. Like oompa I would be worried about them thinking I was lying because I had something to hide. But if I can avoid checking yes on my application, I would very much like to do so...that is if there are no negative consequences for it.

[oompaloompab0i]

so i asked my premed counselor and she said just to report it. and charged does mean if you go to court and its dismissed regardless if your convicted. plus my counselor said that this year amcas is going to have an automatic background chekc that will go to each school, so its better if you dont "lie" and just state it. rather than getting 'blackballed' or whatever people call it from many schools. better safe than sorry i say.

[jameslynton]

I was not aware AMCAS was running background checks! I will have to check this out and get back to you'll.

[jameslynton]

Not to thread steal.

But in this post: http://www.valuemd.com/premed-forum/138436-general.html

James, you never mentioned anything to me about since it was a dismissed misdemeanor, where as I was arrested and the case was dismissed. When they say charged or convicted do I check no? Because my record will only show that I was arrested and dismissed. Like oompa I would be worried about them thinking I was lying because I had something to hide. But if I can avoid checking yes on my application, I would very much like to do so...that is if there are no negative consequences for it.The issues with Domestic issues is they are generally in civil court vs criminal court. Which one were you in? Normally, they ask if convicted not arrested. Believe it or not get cited for a traffic violation is considered arrested in many states.

[jameslynton]

so i asked my premed counselor and she said just to report it. and charged does mean if you go to court and its dismissed regardless if your convicted. plus my counselor said that this year amcas is going to have an automatic background chekc that will go to each school, so its better if you dont "lie" and just state it. rather than getting 'blackballed' or whatever people call it from many schools. better safe than sorry i say.I would not ever trust a pre-med counselor ever. For your best advice - go to an attorney for your state and have Equifax run your numbers for a background check (cheaper than you would think) before I would put it down. You would be surprised what is fined and never reported in college towns!

Never, ever trust a pre-med adviser - reason - they drew the short straw from the University to do this thankless job. They do not have either counseling skills, legal training or a whole lot of motivation. They will deep six you in a heart beat!

[jameslynton]

Oh yes - I have a MS in counseling (one of my two master's degrees), and have been used by attorney's to help them in divorce cases, along with two years in police work. I also went threw a really horrible divorce. What does your pre-med counselor have?

[BrendaB]

I would not ever trust a pre-med counselor ever. For your best advice - go to an attorney for your state and have Equifax run your numbers for a background check (cheaper than you would think) before I would put it down. You would be surprised what is fined and never reported in college towns!

Never, ever trust a pre-med adviser - reason - they drew the short straw from the University to do this thankless job. They do not have either counseling skills, legal training or a whole lot of motivation. They will deep six you in a heart beat!

I agree: you should consult an attorney. There are a number of legitimate websites that enable you to run a background check for a fee (e.g., Washington State Patrol); however, you should consult an attorney.

[ericismyname]

It was a Misdemeanor Serious in Criminal Court. Pleaded guilty for a deferred judgement. My terms were 6 monthes probation, 6 monthes no contact order, 60$ attorny fee, 100$ booking fee, and mentioned something about civil suit fees ranging around 300-400$, I havent received this bill yet and it is not on my file though, and BEP classes, If i complete my probation pay my fees and have started bep by the end of my probation the case turns from PENDING to DISMISSED and only says Arrested for domestic assault-case dismissed.

Sorry to thread steal.

[oompaloompab0i]

so i called AMCAS, and they are starting this year to do the national background check, you can see the FAQ on their website about it. they are using the company Certiphi to do a background check with these services AMCAS—The American Medical College Application Service (http://www.aamc.org/students/amcas/faq/backgroundsearches.htm) . it will do a national and statewide check and most information(including misdemeanors) will show up, even if out of state (national criminal check service). but you have 10 days to review it before submitting it to medical schools.
AMCAS—The American Medical College Application Service (http://www.aamc.org/students/amcas/faq/backgrounddetails.htm)
also, only 10 schools are trying it out this year AMCAS—The American Medical College Application Service (http://www.aamc.org/students/amcas/faq/background.htm), and i called in, and they said most schools should be doing it through AMCAS by next year (but might use their own background check service in the meantime).
so i will report and just be responsible for my actions, however stupid, from 2 years ago.

so that answers most of my questions, hopefully it answers yours. you can do you own statewide background check if you would like to verify whats on your record (this is for california, might be different for other states) and what med. schools might see via Criminal Records Review - Fingerprint Submissions - California Dept. of Justice - Office of the Attorney General (http://www.ag.ca.gov/fingerprints/security.php) . it does cost 25 dolalrs though :bored:

[ericismyname]

excellent post!