Medical school is tough, no matter where you're enrolled. The Dartmouth College Geisel School of Medicine is tougher than most, though. As you might expect, coursework is rigorous and clinic can be demanding. After all, no one wants a doctor who isn't a medical expert. No one wants an unethical, unprofessional doctor either, though. So your school holds you to standards of personal behavior that are every bit as high, if not higher, than its academic standards.
The fact is, there are dozens of reasons you can wind up in trouble at the Geisel School of Medicine, from failing too many courses to harassing a colleague. Trouble usually means sanctions, up to and including the possibility of dismissal.
Of course, we all make mistakes, even doctors. And you're not quite a doctor just yet. If you're facing dismissal from your medical program for any reason, we may be able to help. The attorneys at the Lento Law Firm know the law as it applies to education. We also know how your medical school operates.
We want to make sure your school treats you fairly and that you get the best possible chance to finish your MD. To find out more about what we can do for you, reach out online, or call the Lento Law Firm today at 888-535-3686.
Common Reasons for Dismissal
While there are numerous why the Geisel School of Medicine might decide to dismiss you, for the most part, they all fit into two basic categories.
- Academic Deficiencies: Your med school went to a lot of trouble to decide you were a good fit for the program. Generally speaking, you can expect it to do all it can to help you succeed now that you're in. If you should fail a class, for example, you can expect the school to develop a remediation plan to help you get back on track. You can also be dismissed, though, should you fail to complete remediation or fail too many courses.
- Misconduct: While the Dartmouth School of Medicine wants you to succeed, it has little tolerance for misconduct of any kind. Like any Dartmouth College student, you are subject to the Standards of Conduct. Likewise, you must follow the college's Academic Honor Principle and avoid all types of sexual misconduct under the college's Title IX policy. A violation of any one of these policies can result in dismissal.
In addition, though, the School of Medicine has its own Honor Code. It also has standards of professionalism. Your personal conduct can get you into trouble as well, even if it has no direct bearing on your work as a student. A criminal offense, or in some cases a criminal allegation, can lead to dismissal.
As a rule, academic decisions are in the hands of the school's Academic Progress Committee. Decisions relating to misconduct are handled by the Professional Standards and Conduct Board. Keep in mind, though, that ethics and professionalism are considered part of the School of Medicine curriculum. That means a given offense could be subject to disciplinary action by the Progress Committee, the Conduct Board, or both. And, of course, it could also be subject to disciplinary action by the Dartmouth College judicial system as well. This is one reason it's so important to have a Lento Law Firm attorney on your side when you're facing a serious allegation. They can help you to navigate the system and make sure you understand all rules and procedures no matter what the charge.
Fighting Dismissal
Fighting dismissal from medical school is never easy, but you can do it. How you do it will depend on the specific nature of the dismissal. The Geisel School of Medicine doesn't make its judicial procedures publicly available but most medical schools
- Misconduct Dismissals: You should have a right to an investigation and a hearing in all misconduct dismissal cases. That's because such dismissals are based on allegations that must first be proven in order to warrant disciplinary action. The Geisel School of Medicine should invite you to give your side of the story, but you should also be able to formally defend yourself at a hearing, including submitting evidence, calling witnesses to testify, and cross-examining any witnesses against you. The standard for determining your guilt is likely “preponderance of the evidence.” That means decision-makers must be more than fifty percent certain you committed an offense. And you should have the right to appeal the Board's findings under certain conditions.
- Academic Dismissals: Academic dismissals can sometimes be harder to fight. That's because they're usually based on facts—whether you've passed exams and what grades you've earned. In addition, medical schools don't typically dismiss you without giving you several opportunities to improve. Even in these cases, though, there should be some process for responding to and appealing the Progress Committee's decisions.
Whatever process you're subject to, we can help. It isn't clear whether the Geisel School of Medicine grants you the right to select an attorney to advise you in either type of case. However, it's important you know that a Lento Law Firm attorney can do far more than simply accompany you to a hearing. They can develop your defense strategy, work with you to gather evidence, help you draft documents, and generally make sure the school treats you fairly. Of course, if they can, they'll also be on hand during meetings and other proceedings to advise you.
Your very best chance of winning a dismissal case is to contact the Lento Law Firm for help.
Fighting for Your Future
If you're facing dismissal, you need to know 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. The threat of dismissal puts all of that in jeopardy. It means having to look for a new career. It means having to pay back thousands of dollars in student loans without a medical degree to help you do it.
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 want an attorney from the Lento Law Firm.
The Lento Law Firm was built to help students. Our Student Defense Team is highly experienced with all aspects of investigation, adjudication, and appeals processes and have 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.
