Username:
Password:

 All Forums
 Medical School
 Admission
 felony back ground- can that hold me back?
 New Topic  Reply to Topic
 Printer Friendly
Author Previous Topic Topic Next Topic  

lainey0221
Underclassman

1 Posts

Posted - 09/19/2004 :  20:05:20  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
I really don't know how to go about this, but this seems like the only way. I have been convicted of a felony back in 1998, and I have let this hang over my head all these years... so I haven't been applying my self in school. I now have decided that there is nothing that I can do with my future because of this felony, but if there is a chance.... is there anyway I could get into Optometry School? I have tried to get into some Universities, and I meet all the requirements but the felony? Is it possible that the felony is the reason why I'm not being accepted to the universities too?

Depressed

y82benji
'04 Poster of the Year!

USA
601 Posts

Posted - 09/22/2004 :  18:18:28  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
For Optometry school I think you need at least 90 credits of undergraduate work. It's not clear from your question if you are looking to apply to a college/university for an undergraduate education or for an advanced degree (in which case you've completed an undergraduate education). A felony won't keep you out of school entirely --> but you have to show that you are beyond that point in your life and are committed to being successful. Just saying it on an application won't do. It has to be backed up with good grades/test scores and meaningful activities (especially community service activities in the case of a felony). Chances are that not applying yourself in school is the real reason you are having trouble. You might need to start at a community college to take some classes and get good grades to get into a 4-year college/university.
Go to Top of Page

brklong
Underclassman

USA
2 Posts

Posted - 03/23/2005 :  10:41:45  Show Profile  Send brklong an AOL message  Click to see brklong's MSN Messenger address  Send brklong a Yahoo! Message  Reply with Quote
I am in a simliar situation yet i do not have a felony but I might be charged with a Misdemeanor, I want to apply to medical school and take the MCATs I have a 3.35 undergrad GPA and I am now in a graduate program! Are my chances over could someone help me out

Trust in the Lord
Go to Top of Page

Sheltered
Underclassman

2 Posts

Posted - 08/07/2005 :  20:37:10  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
I am not absolutely positive on how it works out for medical school. By the time you would hit your third year, though, that misdemeanor better be expunged or else not related to the numerous crimes that would make you illegal to practice medicine. For example, there is a Nurse Practice Act in every state where if you have ever been convicted of a crime, it will come up when you are licensed. If it is even retail theft - it is a crime of "moral turpitude" and you cannot get a license until it is expunged, or gone in front of the state Board to show how you have changed, recommendations from faculty/supervisers etc. ... It's a long process.

My recommendation to both of you is to find the medical practice act in the state that you want to go to and see your legal rights to practice. I doubt every med school will spring $55 on every applicant to screen for criminal background upon entry into the program, so it may not come up until you are licensed, or perhaps the third year when you start clinicals.
However, would you want to go to a doctor with a record? Even if you understand it does not make you a bad person, and it may have been no big deal whatsoever, the public is stereotyped about criminal background - and there is always public access to criminal records... If you cannot expunge it ever (felony is 7-10 years after sentence, misdemeanor 2-5 depending on conviction and sentence), you may need to think about having to explain yourself every day (possibly) about having a record and wanting to treat people.
Go to Top of Page

RAQUEL101
Underclassman

1 Posts

Posted - 10/26/2005 :  21:36:23  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
I WAS FOUND GUILTY OF A FELONY FOR SHOPLIFTING AT A RETAIL STORE. IT WAS ABOUT 4 YEARS AGO. BEING MY FIRST TIME OFFENSE I WAS NOT IMPRISONED. I ONLY HAD TO ATTEND AN ADVOCATE PROGRAM, PAY COURT FEES, AND COMPLETE COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS. A FEW MONTHS AGO I HIRED A LAWYER TO EXPUNGE MY RECORD AND HE SUCCEEDED. MY QUESTIONS IS: EVEN THOUGH MY RECORD HAS BEEN EXPUNGED, IS THERE A POSSIBILITY THAT MY RECORD WILL SHOW WHEN APPLYING FOR THE RN PROGRAM? WHAT AM I TO ANSWER WHEN ASKED THE QUESTION IF EVER CONVICTED OR FOUND GUILTY OF A FELONY? AM I TO STATE "NO" OR "YES BUT EXPUNGED"?
Go to Top of Page

ladynpink33
Underclassman

3 Posts

Posted - 12/11/2006 :  18:29:44  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by RAQUEL101

I WAS FOUND GUILTY OF A FELONY FOR SHOPLIFTING AT A RETAIL STORE. IT WAS ABOUT 4 YEARS AGO. BEING MY FIRST TIME OFFENSE I WAS NOT IMPRISONED. I ONLY HAD TO ATTEND AN ADVOCATE PROGRAM, PAY COURT FEES, AND COMPLETE COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS. A FEW MONTHS AGO I HIRED A LAWYER TO EXPUNGE MY RECORD AND HE SUCCEEDED. MY QUESTIONS IS: EVEN THOUGH MY RECORD HAS BEEN EXPUNGED, IS THERE A POSSIBILITY THAT MY RECORD WILL SHOW WHEN APPLYING FOR THE RN PROGRAM? WHAT AM I TO ANSWER WHEN ASKED THE QUESTION IF EVER CONVICTED OR FOUND GUILTY OF A FELONY? AM I TO STATE "NO" OR "YES BUT EXPUNGED"?



Could you tell me more about what happened in your situation. I am about to face the same thing soon and I would like to be prepared of what I am to go through. What did you do in those four years after the felony, could you get a job? did you go to school, please help!
Go to Top of Page
  Previous Topic Topic Next Topic  
 New Topic  Reply to Topic
 Printer Friendly
Jump To:

Related Links:
Admissions Consulting | Admissions Essays | Business School Admission | College Admission | Executive MBA | Financial Aid   GMAT | Graduate School Admission | Ivy League | Law School Admission | MBA Admission | Medical School Admission | SAT



AdmissionsBoards.com © 2003-2009 AdmissionsBoards.com Go To Top Of Page