Maybe you decided to enroll in medical school because you want to help others. Maybe you're looking for a prestigious career. Maybe you're convinced you'll make a good living. Maybe all three played a part in your decision.
Whatever your reasons, nothing worthwhile is ever easy. The path to an MD is a tough one. It's not just that you have to meet high academic expectations, though that is certainly true. Your professional and even personal conduct are subject to just as much if not more, scrutiny. And medical schools won't hesitate to dismiss you if you're not meeting their standards. After all, a doctor is someone who literally holds the lives of others in their hands. The University of Central Florida School of Medicine has a responsibility to make sure no one gets through unless they're absolutely qualified.
Of course, we all make mistakes, even medical school students. A mistake doesn't mean you're unqualified, and the Student Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm doesn't think a mistake or two should cost you your career in medicine. If you're in trouble, if someone has mentioned dismissal to you, you can count on the Student Defense Team attorneys at the Lento Law Firm to do everything they can to make sure your school treats you fairly and that you have every possible chance to earn your degree. The Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team is dedicated to helping students achieve their dreams. What can the firm's attorneys do for you?
Common Reasons for Dismissal
If the UCF School of Medicine is looking to dismiss you, it's probably for one of two reasons: either you aren't keeping up academically, or you've committed some form of misconduct.
- Academics: As a student, your first priority is to learn. That means meeting classroom expectations and mastering the practical application of the principles of medicine during clinical years. If you can't do these things, or if you should fall behind, you are subject to remediation or, in the most serious cases, to academic sanctions. Sanctions can include probation and suspension. You can also be dismissed from the program entirely. For instance, as the Student Handbook points out, earning just two failing grades over your four years in the program is grounds for dismissal.
All decisions about your academic progress are made by the school's Student Evaluation and Promotion Committee (SEPC). This is a committee made up primarily of faculty. It meets annually to consider student promotion and on an ad hoc basis as other student academic issues arise.
- Professional Misconduct: The Handbook also notes that your conduct can be grounds for dismissal. When you matriculated, you signed an Honor Code Pledge to uphold values of integrity, professionalism, good judgment, and respect. Lying, stealing, all forms of academic misconduct, and mistreatment of patients are all serious offenses that can lead to dismissal. Even your personal conduct can get you into trouble. A criminal conviction for DUI can get you dismissed, even if the incident had nothing to do with your work as a medical student.
Most professional misconduct decisions are in the hands of the Student Professional Conduct Council (SPCC), a student-based committee that meets in response to allegations.
Finally, medical students sometimes forget that they're subject to general university policies just like any other student. Keep in mind that academic misconduct, violations of the university's Student Rules of Conduct, and Title IX sexual misconduct offenses are all subject to dismissal through university policies. Of course, you can expect the SEPC and SPCC to take an interest in these accusations as well, even if the university should clear you of wrongdoing.
Fighting Dismissal
The prospect of dismissal from medical school can be daunting. The good news is the UCF School of Medicine provides clear procedures for defending yourself, and you have a number of important due process rights.
The specifics of how you go about defending yourself will depend on the exact nature of the dismissal.
- Academic Deficiencies: Academic deficiencies are typically a matter of fact. That is, either you've passed your courses and clinical training experiences or you haven't. You do have the right to appeal a dismissal decision if you feel that decision violated school policies in some way. You may be present for the appeal hearing, offer evidence, and call witnesses.
- Professional Misconduct: Most Honor Code cases involve debatable issues. As a result, the SPCC holds full hearings into all serious allegations. Here again, you may present your entire case, including any evidence and witness testimony, and you may cross-examine any witnesses against you.
It's never easy to navigate a school's administrative and judicial procedures. For example, while you have a number of important rights, it's not always clear how to use these rights to your advantage. Additionally, different types of hearings are subject to different rules. You're allowed to bring an advisor of your choice to SEPC appeal hearings, for instance. In contrast, only someone from the school may accompany you to SPCC hearings.
No matter what you're situation, though, your best chance of avoiding dismissal is to seek representation from the Lento Law Firm Team. Attorneys at the firm can help you develop a defense strategy, can work with you to gather and organize evidence, and can even give you practice presenting your case. Even if they cannot go with you to hearings, they can monitor your case and ensure that the school doesn't violate any of your rights.
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. 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 Team.
The Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team was built to help students. The firm's attorneys know the law as it applies to education. They also know how campus judicial systems work. They're 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 Student Defense Team can do for you. Contact the Lento Law Firm today at 888-535-3686 or use our automated online form.
