The admissions committee will want to know as much as they can about any institutional actions or charges against you. Alcohol offenses, plagiarism, and academic probation seem to be the most common institutional violations. Plagiarism offenses and alcohol offenses have become more common over the past few years. All such actions are serious and need to be addressed with candor and sincerity in your application. Several similar violations may be seen as a cause for concern and may affect how strongly your application is considered. Anticipate these areas of concern regarding your prior action(s) and think about how you are going to explain and account for your actions in the best possible light. Remember to be honest and frank in your explanation.
This post is excerpted from 101 Tips on Getting Into Medical School by Jennifer C. Welch, who has served as the Director of Admissions at SUNY Upstate Medical School since 2001.
Read the full article: Be Prepared to Talk About Your Institutional Action(s), Misdemeanors, Felonies, Etc.
