You know the score: you're a medical student. That means you're expected to meet the very highest standards of academic scholarship and professional behavior. At some point soon, you're literally going to hold the lives of your patients in your hands.
Unfortunately, you're not perfect. Not even doctors are perfect, and you're not a doctor just yet. You're a medical student. By definition, you're stressed, overworked—exhausted. It would be surprising if you didn't make a mistake every once in a while. So, here's the question: how do you keep those mistakes from costing you your career?
You get help from the Lento Law Firm.
The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team works specifically on student issues. We know what the law has to say about students and universities. We're experienced in dealing with medical schools. We also understand exactly what you're going through. The Weill Cornell Medical College (WCMC) is tough. If you're in trouble and someone has mentioned dismissal to you, you need help now. Call 888-535-3686 or use our automated online form.
Common Reasons for Dismissal
There are basically two reasons most medical students find themselves facing dismissal. Either they're struggling to keep up academically, or they've committed some type of professional misconduct. You'll find information about both in your Student Handbook.
- Academic Deficiencies: There are no unimportant subjects in medical school. Every class—every day of learning—matters. Missing one of those days or failing an exam usually means going back and completing some sort of remediation plan. Failing to complete remediation, failing a course, or failing to meet clinical standards can be grounds for more serious sanctions, up to and including dismissal (Handbook 76-78). Note that one of the college's four Student Evaluation Committees (SECs) keeps track of your work throughout each semester and offers suggestions for improvement.
- Professional Misconduct: At WCMC, all of your conduct—personal and professional is evaluated under the rubric of “professionalism.” Failure to communicate effectively with colleagues or patients, patient mistreatment, and other ethical violations are obvious examples of “professional misconduct.” Your personal conduct is scrutinized as well, though. You must abide by policies regarding academic integrity (Handbook 110), for example, as well as general standards of conduct (Handbook 109-114). You're also subject to Title IX prohibitions on sexual discrimination and harassment (115-119). Misconduct is generally reported to the Senior Associate Dean (Education), and any violation of any of these policies can lead to dismissal.
While SECs and the Senior Associate Dean (Education) handle initial problems with academics and misconduct, it is the college's Committee on Promotions and Graduation that has the final say when it comes to discipline (Handbook 65-83). This committee meets each semester in response to specific issues to determine whether a matter warrants sanctions and, if so, what those sanctions should be.
Fighting Dismissal
WCMC cannot simply dismiss you without cause. You always have the right to defend yourself and your record. How you go about doing that will depend on the specific nature of the proposed dismissal.
- Academic Appeals: You can challenge single course or clinic grades by appealing directly to the Course Director or, failing that, the Associate Dean of Curricular Affairs. Grade appeals can sometimes resolve dismissal issues. If your academic deficiencies are more serious, you're subject to a decision made by the Committee on Promotion and Graduation. Decisions are based on a student's documented record. At least initially, there is no way to prevent a dismissal decision. However, you have the right to appeal such a decision to the college's Appeals Committee. As part of the process, you may submit evidence and call witnesses.
- Misconduct Hearings: Any allegation of misconduct is subject to an investigation by and hearing before an ad hoc committee appointed by the Senior Associate Dean (Education). In other words, before any decision about dismissal can be made in these cases, the committee must find credible evidence that you committed an offense and allow you to present your full case, including evidence and witness testimony.
It's never easy to defend yourself from dismissal, whether that dismissal has to do with academic failings or misconduct. Both sets of procedures are complex. And while you have some important rights, you don't have the same rights you might have in a court of law. For example, committees don't have to find you guilty or deficient “beyond a reasonable doubt.” Instead, they employ a lesser standard known as “preponderance of the evidence.” Basically, if committee members feel it is “more likely than not” that you've violated school policy, they must dismiss you.
Luckily, though, you don't have to deal with a dismissal defense all on your own. WCMC allows you to select an advisor to help you prepare and present your case. Further, this advisor can be an attorney. And while they cannot speak on your behalf, they can be on hand during meetings and proceedings to offer advice. This means someone from the Lento Law Firm can not only work with you to develop your defense but can actually help you to present that defense.
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. 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 can do for you. Contact the Lento Law Firm today at 888-535-3686 or use our automated online form.
