Re-applying to medical school after misconduct

I am a nontraditional applicant for medical school and wanted to ask questions about my application here. I was previously enrolled in another MD program. I had an undiagnosed disability that resulted in some abnormal behavior, including research misconduct (data fabrication). It led to me withdrawing from medical school program, but I have spent several years recovering. I have finished a PhD. I have published many papers including a few at top journals (Cell) since then. I maintain a strong interest in academic medicine and I am ready to take another go at it. How might my application be processed differently? How successful could an applicant like myself be? Do you have advice on how I can present myself in the best manner? Do I have a chance?

asked Nov 24, 2020 at 10:42 137 5 5 bronze badges

Do many MD programs take PhDs? I know MD/PhD programs exist but I know of few people who went PhD -> MD. (Occasionally, the other way 'round).

Commented Nov 24, 2020 at 18:20 I do think MD programs take PhDs. Commented Nov 24, 2020 at 20:06

@AzorAhai-him- I know one person who got a Ph.D. in mathematics and later went to medical school and got an M.D.

Commented Nov 24, 2020 at 20:10

There's no reason why it wouldn't be possible. The question in my case is what I can do given the history of academic misconduct.

Commented Nov 25, 2020 at 9:56

3 Answers 3

I think the road is uphill and very steep. Research misconduct is bad, but in medicine it is deadly. Literally deadly. You will need to find a way to convince people that the past isn't going to be repeated - has no chance of being repeated.

But it is difficult for a person to reassure others, on their own, that they will be good, now, where before they were bad..

I think your chances depend very strongly on what kinds of recommendations you can get from others who know you well and are aware of your past as well as your present capabilities and attitudes.

It may be that people will take your previous "undiagnosed disability" as an ameliorating factor, but even then will need assurance that it won't/can't return. Again, others can speak for you and if they are putting their own reputations on the line for you, can make the difference. But people will need to be wary, because of the possible consequences.

The same concerns wouldn't be there if you were studying, for example, CS or math. But medical research is qualitatively different.