Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 3/28/2009

Question
QUESTION: I "was" in court facing felony charges would this prevent me from being accepted to medical school and becoming a anesthesiologist. Considering that I was NEVER CONFICTED of any of those charges or charges period for that matter not even misdemeanors. I am are currently going through classes/program to get this whole court altercation of my record, which will make it a sealed record. I'm a junior in college with a 3.653 g.p.a I have NOT taken the MCAT. I have completed 1457 hours of my set goal of 2000 hours hospital volunteer time, and from that hospital I have 2 letter's of recommendation from 1 internal medicine doctor and 1 E.R doctor.. please help me I'm really nervous about this whole thing, please give me your best advice... please Dr. Levy.

ANSWER: It depends on how the question is phrased. If it is phrased "Have you ever been convicted of a felony...", then you'd can say no but if the question is more specific, you'd have to answer "yes". In either case, they would always give you a place to explain the circumstances so between that and in your interview, you have the chance to explain the matter. With your competitive GPA and volunteer work (and letters) you're well on your way. Do well on the MCATs and apply. The worst they can say is NO.

Ronald Levy, MD
Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: That's alot of school loans and i would have to change majors if that is possible for me right now, considering that I already have alot of loans and dedication to this major, I believe i read one of your answers and it said somethimg about you do interviews for the admissiions to med school, what do you think I should do because. If you answer these 3 questions I and my family will greatly appreciate this.

1. do you honestly think i can still get into some med school.

2. am i overall a competitive qualfier for med school.

3. and lastly after hearing my conditions with the school loans, what is your best advice, if there's a still a pretty good chance that i will still be accepted should stick it out like i've been doing?

thank you so much DR. Levy my life really does depend on what you tell me.. thank you so much. God Bless

ANSWER: Based on nothing other than your GPA and volunteer work, I would say you are competitive for medical school. It also depends on what State you live in (some state medical schools are cheaper), your MCAT scores and your interview. As for the costs, there is no getting around it. Most physicians get out of school with debt between $40,000 and $150,000. While that sounds like a lot (and it is), you salary (after residency) should allow you to pay it off relatively quickly. I can't tell you whether you should stick it out or not. That is a personal decision, but you should at least go through the process and see if you get in and what the costs will be. If it is too much, you can always reject the acceptance letter.

Ronald Levy, MD
Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: so i should be fine is what your saying? this altercation totally didnt screw me up, a med school cant say no just because of what happen....

Answer
That will be up to each individual medical school, but it doesn't sound like anything you can't explain away. Yuor grades, etc make you competitive academically so I think it is worth trying.


Ronald Levy, MD
Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston