If you've managed to get into medical school, you are a conscientious individual who knows what you want and are willing to work hard to get it. As a student at the University of Pikeville Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine (UP-KYCOM), you are passionate about caring for your patients – and helping them avoid becoming ill, to begin with. With your knowledge, passion, and skills, you will become a vital part of the health of the community where you choose to practice.
But no matter how much you want to follow your heart, medical school is extremely challenging. Your school's standards for academics and professionalism are high, and the pressure to live up to these expectations can overwhelm even the most well-meaning student. Unfortunately, this can result in consequences such as remediation or even dismissal from your school. If you are struggling, don't give up – instead, let's take a look at your school's policies and procedures, as well as how an experienced advisor can help you figure out what to do next.
Academic and Professionalism Policies for UP-KYCOM Students
Medical school is no small undertaking, requiring a great deal of commitment and responsibility from students. That's why medical schools across the country give students detailed manuals outlining the type of academic and professional conduct expected at their institutions – both inside and outside the classroom. At UP-KYCOM, expectations in the student handbook and honor code include but are not limited to:
- Exhibiting academic honesty and avoiding cheating or plagiarizing any work
- Engaging in civil and appropriate interpersonal communication with other students and staff
- Refraining from any type of sexual harassment or misconduct
- Arriving at all classes, lectures, and activities on time and reporting reasons for any absences
- Receiving a passing grade of at least 70 percent in each course
- Refraining from the use of illegal drugs and submitting to drug tests
Violating these standards, failing to uphold the university's code of conduct, or not meeting institutional academic goals could lead to severe consequences and derail your future career. At UP-KYCOM, most violations will be processed through the dean of student affairs, assistant dean of student affairs, or the Promotion and Matriculation Committee. If you are a student who is struggling, an advisor can guide you through these proceedings and help you find the best way to proceed with your case.
Remediation at UP-KYCOM
Like at most medical schools, the academic standards at UP-KYCOM are high – but floundering students typically have options for remediation. If a student does not achieve a passing score of at least 70 percent in any course, they have a limited amount of time to retake the course and earn a satisfactory grade. In most cases, students will not be allowed to move on to the next year's curriculum until they have removed all incompletes and remediated all failures, including on clinical rotations, and all grades will remain on the transcript.
The same is true for certain professional examinations, with students allowed no more than one semester to achieve a passing score in order to advance to the next year and remain on clinical rotations. Failure to complete graduation requirements or multiple failures in the same course or examination could result in dismissal from the school. Additionally, if graduation requirements are not met within two years from the start of the fourth year of study, this will also result in dismissal from the school.
Academic challenges in medical school are not uncommon, so don't be embarrassed to ask for help. Remember that your school has options for remediation, and you should have the opportunity to work with the Promotion and Matriculation Committee to save your future medical career. To ensure the most favorable outcome in your case, contact a skilled legal advisor today who knows their way around the system and can lead you toward the best course of action.
Dismissal from UP-KYCOM
Because you've dedicated your life to becoming a DO, the prospect of dismissal from medical school can be devastating – and it will remain on your permanent record, so it can make getting into another medical school and getting a job more difficult. At UP-KYCOM, the Promotion and Matriculation Committee consisting of faculty and administrators, oversees student requirements for graduation and may recommend dismissal for the following reasons, among others:
- A student fails to maintain an acceptable academic record
- A student fails to follow academic directives provided by UP-KYCOM
- A student fails to develop and demonstrate attitudes and behaviors appropriate to a career in osteopathic medicine
Dismissal hearings can be distressing, and consequences can follow you throughout your career. It is important to remember that at UP-KYCOM, disciplinary actions for academic and professionalism concerns are decided on a case-by-case basis, meaning there is no one-size-fits-all outcome that has been predetermined. To ensure your medical career stays on track – and that your future employers see only the very best you have to offer – contact an advisor today.
Appeals
Across the country, medical schools allow students the right to appeal certain decisions as part of their due process rights. At UP-KYCOM, students may appeal academic or disciplinary decisions made by the Promotion and Matriculation Committee. Typically, students have five days from receipt of the sanction to file an appeal, and an appointed faculty member or appeals officer reviews these requests.
At UP-KYCOM, appeals may be made on the following grounds:
- The hearing was not conducted according to the school's guidelines
- The evidence was insufficient
- New evidence has emerged that clarifies the situation and was not previously considered in the disciplinary process
- The student witnessed or experienced bias during the disciplinary process
- The sanctions imposed are too severe based on the evidence
Appealing a decision made by the Promotion and Matriculation Committee can cause a lot of anxiety, but an advisor can guide you through the process – and if your appeal is denied, they can help you decide what to do next.
UP-KYCOM Student Defense Advisor
If you're an osteopathic medicine student at UP-KYCOM and you're facing remediation, dismissal, or other negative consequences due to academic issues, professionalism concerns, or other types of misconduct, you need an experienced legal advisor on your side. These types of proceedings can be extremely stressful and complex – and you know your school has a team of legal experts in its corner. There's no need to make this harder by trying to figure everything out on your own. Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm specialize in helping medical students deal with progression issues, remediation, dismissals, and more. Call the Lento Law Firm today at 888-535-3686 or schedule a time online to ensure the best possible outcome for your future.
