Hello

I’m looking for some additional insight on a unique situation I’m in.

I’m currently under felony probation for about a year now, and I’ll be done in 3 years. I was not convicted guilty, and at the end I’ll be able to seal/expunge this. So I can move on with my career normally long term wise.

I won’t get too specific about what happened, it wasn’t the greatest thing to do, (I.e lost friends over this), but put it to perspective, I had an overzealous prosecutor who had a reputation for a high conviction/incarceration rate, but the facts and unique circumstances of my case allowed me to avoid any incarceration/conviction and essentially got a rare second chance (mitigating circumstances helped such as my education, and letter from a professional psychologist recommended by the Courts, advocating for me).

After getting put on probation last year, I got into a high ranking online Masters program in STEM, got all As so far, and I have a good rapport with some of the professors there. University is aware I’m on probation but doesn’t care, probably because I’m not on campus.

I do want to get my PhD and do research but I’m a bit concerned how I might be seen through the background checks for the RA position, and even admissions. I’m not sure if anyone can provide insight?

I’ve reached out to some PhD program heads at different universities, walked through my experience/education and they said they wouldn’t see why I would have a hard time getting in if I applied. So I’d say it’s not a question if I can get admitted on my qualifications, but more so how the university will see my criminal record.