MIP and Medical School

[Jake Maxwell]

I was recently charged with a misdemeanor charge for Minor in Possession of Alcohol (I'm 19). I am
trying to decide whether or not to take the offered diversion or fight it.

A couple of questions:
- Will medical school applications ask whether I have been convicted/taken diversion for a
misdemeanor? I know they will ask about felonies, but this is a misdemeanor. And do they just ask
if I've "been convicted" or do they mention diversion?

- How much of an effect will this have on me being admitted?

I am very discouraged that despite my excellent grades and stellar record otherwise (academically
and criminally--never had any other criminal issues at all) that this could cost me the career I
have worked so hard for.

I'm thinking my only good option is to hire a lawyer and fight the charge.

Please help!

Thanks, Jake

[Mike]

Hi Jake,

Many people who apply to medical school have blemishes on their records, be it academic, legal,
financial, or anything else. What you need to do is to be able to demonstrate that you have taken
steps to resolve the issue, make amends, and that you have the character to not repeat the same
problem. For example, when you apply to medical school, you can say briefly that you were convicted
of a misdemeanor for alcohol possession as a minor, that you realize your behavior was wrong, that
this was several years ago, that your record has been clean since then, and that for the last 2
years you've been active in "Organization X" that counsels minors in the dangers of alcohol abuse.

What I suggest is you talk to your premed advisor at your college/university. This person will be
able to give you the best advice on whether you will be required to disclose this information, and
if so, the best way to do so. In addition, you might want to find an organization on campus or in
your community that you can volunteer with that counsels young people about alcohol.

Best of luck, Mike

--
Mike
George Washington University School of Medicine
http://www.NontraditionalMedicalStudent.com (http://www.nontraditionalmedicalstudent.com/)

"Jake Maxwell" <joeyheisman@remove.earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:jYuJb.17341$lo3.5805@newsread2.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> I was recently charged with a misdemeanor charge for Minor in Possession
of
> Alcohol (I'm 19). I am trying to decide whether or not to take the
offered
> diversion or fight it.
>
> A couple of questions:
> - Will medical school applications ask whether I have been convicted/taken
> diversion for a misdemeanor? I know they will ask about felonies, but
this
> is a misdemeanor. And do they just ask if I've "been convicted" or do
they
> mention diversion?
>
> - How much of an effect will this have on me being admitted?
>
>
> I am very discouraged that despite my excellent grades and stellar record
> otherwise (academically and criminally--never had any other criminal
issues
> at all) that this could cost me the career I have worked so hard for.
>
> I'm thinking my only good option is to hire a lawyer and fight the charge.
>
> Please help!
>
> Thanks,
> Jake