The path to becoming a physician is not an easy one. There are tests to take, application processes to survive, residencies to complete, and licensing boards to impress. Perhaps the most difficult part of it all is medical school. No matter how well you did as an undergraduate, most students find the transition to be a tough one.
It's not just that coursework is considerably more demanding or that instructors expect more of you than your undergrad professors did. You have to meet some pretty high standards of professional conduct. Even your personal life is subject to scrutiny. That can be a shock to the system.
Plenty of students don't make it. They either drop out or they fall victim to the big “D”: Dismissal.
That doesn't have to happen to you, though. At the first sign of trouble, don't wait to see what might happen. Get help. The attorneys at the Lento Law Firm are dedicated to helping students get the fair treatment they deserve and earn their degrees. What can we do for you? Call us today to find out at 888-535-3686. Or you can get in touch using our automated online form.
Common Reasons for Dismissal
There are really only two reasons the University of Arizona's College of Medicine can dismiss you. It's pretty easy to fall victim to both types of dismissal, though.
- Academic Deficiencies: You knew coming in that coursework would be difficult. Knowing what to expect and actually experiencing labs and exams are two different things, though. The good news is that the College of Medicine wants you to succeed. You won't be dismissed the first time you fall behind. Even a failed class usually only means remediation. However, should you fail to complete remediation or consistently struggle to pass your courses, dismissal can eventually become a possibility.
All academic decisions are in the hands of the Student Progress Committee (SPC), a committee made up of both faculty and student members. This committee has the authority to assign remediation, to set academic timelines for making up work, and to issue sanctions up to and including dismissal.
- Misconduct: While you can recover from a failed class, it's more difficult to avoid dismissal if you commit some form of misconduct. Doctors must be above reproach, and the College of Medicine has little tolerance for unethical or unprofessional behavior. Your responsibilities start with the college's Honor Code. This code prohibits all forms of academic misconduct—cheating and plagiarism, for example—as well as general forms of misconduct, like trespassing, drug possession, and physical assault. You are also subject to federal Title IX regulations regarding sexual harassment. You are expected to develop ethical and professional qualities regarding patient care and working with healthcare teams. And even your personal life can get you into trouble. The college runs criminal background checks on incoming students, and any criminal conviction while you're in school is grounds for dismissal.
Generally speaking, most conduct issues are handled by the school's Honor Code Committee (HCC). As with the SPC, the HCC has the power to assign a variety of sanctions up to and including dismissal.
It's not always easy to navigate the University of Arizona College of Medicine system. For instance, professional misconduct is sometimes handled by the HCC, but if it has to do with the curriculum, it's a matter for the SPC. Whatever your particular situation, you can count on the attorneys at the Lento Law Firm to help guide you through the process.
Fighting Dismissal
The UA College of Medicine cannot simply dismiss you. It must follow its own rules and procedures. That means you always have the chance to defend yourself. How you go about doing that, though, can differ depending on whether you're facing an academic dismissal or a misconduct dismissal.
- Academic Dismissals: Most academic dismissals are based on objective facts—your test scores and grades. As a result, the SPC doesn't typically hold hearings into these kinds of dismissals. However, if dismissal is a possibility, the SPC will invite you to address the committee. While there are no formal procedures, you can offer up evidence in your own defense and respond to any questions committee members might have. In addition, you can appeal the SPC's decisions to the Student Appeals Committee.
- Misconduct: It is more difficult to prove misconduct, so the HCC always conducts an investigation and holds a formal hearing before deciding whether or not dismissal is warranted. At this hearing you may introduce evidence, call witnesses, and raise questions for any witnesses against you.
Both the SPC and HCC allow you to bring an advisor with you to meetings and hearings, and this advisor can be an attorney. This means someone from the Lento Law Firm can be at your side every step of the way. You should keep in mind, though, that they are not allowed to speak for you. Their role is strictly advisory.
A Lento Law Firm attorney can do far more than accompany you, though. They're here to help you with all aspects of your defense. They can work with you to gather evidence, draft documents on your behalf, coach you in making presentations, and suggest questions for witnesses. Most importantly, they keep a close eye on how the judicial process unfolds. They make sure you're treated fairly and that you get the best possible resolution to your case.
Fighting for Your Future
Make no mistake: if you're facing dismissal, everything is on the line. You've worked for many years to get to this point. You earned an undergraduate degree; you spent dozens, maybe hundreds of hours studying for the MCAT; you filled out applications, convinced referees to write on your behalf, and sat through demanding interviews. If the UA College of Medicine dismisses you, all of that will have been for nothing. There's virtually no chance you'll find another school willing to accept you. You'll need to find a new career path, and you'll have to start paying back student loans for a degree you didn't finish.
There's simply too much on the line to go into this situation alone. Judicial rules and procedures can be complex, and your school is not on your side in this instance. You need someone who is, someone who has your best interests at heart and who is willing to fight for those interests. You need an attorney from the Lento Law Firm.
Our Student Defense Team is highly experienced with all aspects of investigation, adjudication, and appeals processes and has helped hundreds of students just like you get the justice they deserve.
If you're facing disciplinary action, don't wait to see what might happen. Find out exactly what the Lento Law Firm can do for you. Contact the Lento Law Firm today at 888-535-3686 or use our automated online form.
