<p>I've been losing what little sleep I'm allowed over whether or not I have any chance of getting in to grad school with a criminal record.</p>
<p>I'm not sure the circumstances matter when admissions is considered but I'll give a brief account anyway.</p>
<p>A few years go, I was prescribed high doses of corticosteroids for an autoimmune disorder. I had a series of adverse reaction to the medication and ultimately went into what's called steroid psychosis. My roommate called 911 when it was obvious I needed medical attention but for whatever reason, perhaps due to the phrasing of the situation, the call was treated as a potential overdose. In these situations, police respond before the paramedics to insure the safety of the responding parties (makes sense). Unfortunately, the officers didn't handle the situation well and attempted to restrain me when I kept pacing around (again, I was in psychosis). I have almost no memory of the situation but apparently I struggled and was subsequently charged with assaulting an officer, possession of controlled substances, and resisting arrest.</p>
<p>Ultimately, the assault and possession chargers were dropped in light of my medical condition but I was scared into taking a plea bargain for resisting arrest (something I regret).</p>
<p>I believe my academic credentials are adequate for admissions into grad school but I'm terrified that the resisting arrest conviction will significantly reduce my chances.</p>
<p>Does anyone have any advice on how to handle my application or thoughts on my overall chance or acceptance?</p>
<p>First I’m sorry for that unfortunate situation and it is too bad you have to plea to that under the conditions. I don’t think such a relatively minor charge will hurt you. I hope you get some practical advice. </p>
<p>In Arizona, resisting arrest is a class 6 felony. It’s a minor felony but a felony nonetheless, which is my biggest concern.</p>
<p>oh dear, I was thinking it is a misdemeanor. That is too bad. Were you under age? I’d talk to a lawyer and see if you can get an expungement. I don’t know anything about it though.</p>
<p>I do not think this is a deal-breaker for most programs - they will not usually ask, and if they do it appears that it was an isolated incident stemming from a medical problem, rather than an inherent problem that they would expect to see repeated.</p>
<p>I would just keep an eye on this issue in the applications. Don’t lie, whatever you do. If they do not ask about criminal records, you don’t need to bring it up. If they do, they will almost always ask for details including an explanation - give it to them, along with whatever documentation you have that shows it was a medical issue. It shouldn’t be a problem, but if it is there is nothing else you can do.</p>
<p>Ugh, this is terrible. Police officers need more training to deal with people in acute medical situations - and it shouldn’t have mattered whether you overdosed on heroin or had an adverse reaction to a steroid, at least not for the immediate response.</p>
<p>But that’s besides the point. If you are asked, all you have to do is explain it in an addendum exactly the way you explained it here. Nobody is going to hold this against you.</p>