As a medical student at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine (UCCOM), you know how important grades are. One bad grade can be the difference between a favorable residency placement and scrambling to get a placement at all. When your future is on the line, having a bad grade isn’t an option. But just because you’ve received a low grade doesn’t mean it isn’t fixable. Many medical students are finding that their low grades are the consequence of unfair grading practices or those that lack transparency. Because of this, more and more medical students are filing grade appeals than ever.
If you’re considering a grade appeal at CCOM, the LLF National Law Firm can support you. Medical school grade appeals need to be handled a certain way to maximize your chance of success while also limiting any potential negative consequences. Our Education Law Team is well-versed in exactly this balance. Let’s talk about how we can help you through the CCOM grade appeal process. Call us today at 888-535-3686 or reach out online.
The Grade Appeal Process at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine
An overview of the CCOM grade appeal process is outlined in The Student Handbook. There are many steps in the process, and while they seem straightforward, what each step looks like in practice isn’t always clear. Your LLF National Law Firm attorney can walk you through each step in more detail, but here is the process you can expect.
When It’s Appropriate to File an Appeal
Your grade may seem unfair, but that hardly entitles you to appeal your grade at CCOM. It’s normal for medical students to feel in over their heads, and sometimes that results in grades that feel foreign to them as high achievers. This may be your situation, and unfortunately, that isn’t enough to have your grade reconsidered.
There is a high bar that CCOM students must meet to demonstrate that they qualify for a grade appeal. At CCOM, appeals are reserved for situations in which capricious grading has occurred. So, what does that mean in reality? According to CCOM, capricious means:
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The grade was assigned on a basis other than the student’s performance.
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The particular student receiving the grade was subject to more exacting or demanding standards than were applied to other students in the course or clerkship.
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The assignment of a grade is a substantial departure from the previously stated standards.
To further clarify when a grade appeal is and is not appropriate, the CCOM student handbook states that a grade appeal is not permitted:
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To challenge a course or clerkship design.
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To challenge the quality or nature of instruction.
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To challenge the grading applied to all students in the course or clerkship.
Even with this guidance, figuring out if you qualify for an appeal can be unclear. For example, if you got a grade that was substantially different from the previously stated course standards, but other students’ grades also substantially differed from those standards, can you file an appeal? The Student Handbook says you can’t file an appeal based on a challenge to the quality or nature of the instruction, but you can during an informal appeal. How would that work? One of our Education Law Team attorneys can explain if your case is eligible for appeal, especially when your case falls into a gray area.
Informal Grade Appeal Procedure
The first step in CCOM’s grade appeal process is to attempt to reach a resolution informally with your course or clerkship director. After receiving your grade, you are expected to promptly reach out to your course or clerkship director to ask for a meeting. During the meeting, you should convey your concern. Lead with curiosity; you’re surprised by the grade, from your understanding x, y, z was expected. Can they clarify whether you didn’t understand the expectations and provide concrete examples of where these expectations or standards were not met?
It is very important that you take detailed notes during this meeting. Start the meeting by telling the course or clerkship director that you are taking notes. If it’s in person, take notes by hand; if the meeting is online, you can even use transcription software to take notes of the meeting.
Everything from the normal appeal to the notes should be electronically documented. This is required by CCOM according to the Student Handbook.
It can be difficult to remain calm during these conversations, especially when a course or clerkship director starts getting combative. You must keep your cool. Your LLF National Law Firm attorney will thoroughly prep you for this meeting. Even though it’s an informal meeting, you shouldn’t treat it as such. Handling the matter on this level before you need to enter the formal process is always the best outcome.
Formal Grade Appeal Procedure
It’s always disappointing when a student can’t get a grade change through the informal process, but that’s why the formal process is in place. This is the point where you really need to be prepared with strong arguments and evidence. Your LLF National Law Firm attorney will ensure you have everything you need.
Generally, you have a short window after your grade is posted to file an appeal. You should keep this in mind when scheduling your meeting with your course or clerkship director to make sure you don’t miss your window to file an appeal.
Filing an appeal requires you to submit the Grade Appeal Form and a written appeal supplemented with evidence and supporting documentation. You will submit the appeal to the Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Curriculum. They will send a copy of your appeal and supporting documentation to your course or clerkship director, who will then provide a written response. When they receive the response, they can decide whether to change your grade.
If you aren’t satisfied with the response, you aren’t done with this first-level appeal process. If you want to continue with the appeal, you will need to notify the Associate Dean in writing that you want to continue the appeal process. They will then send all the submitted appeal materials to the Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education.
The Senior Associate Dean will review the case and make a determination. Once they have decided, it will be sent to you, your course or clerkship director, and the Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Curriculum.
Final Grade Appeal Procedure
If your grade isn’t unchanged and you still believe it should be, you can file for a final grade appeal. But this level of appeal can only be pursued if there was something wrong with how your appeals were conducted thus far. To put it more simply, did someone do something wrong in the process by ignoring evidence or not following the CCOM grade appeal policy?
This appeal is filed with the Office of the Provost. This appeal requires you to draft a letter explaining in detail why the outcome of your appeal was not supported by substantial evidence and/or where CCOM officials failed to follow the mandated appeal procedures.
Deciding if Filing and Appeal is Right for You
As we discussed above, the requirements for filing an appeal are strict. But even if you do qualify, it doesn’t mean you have to go through with it. You don’t have much time to make a decision, but it’s always a good idea to take a few days to weigh the pros and cons.
Many students are concerned about filing grade appeals because of how it will impact their reputation and their Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE). Your course or clerkship director can submit a comment for your MSPE, and when they’ve filed an appeal, they are concerned about getting a negative comment. Any negative comment can be seen as a red flag for a residency director.
That being said, you shouldn’t be deterred from filing an appeal on that basis. At the same time, considering the appeal, you may want to reach out to mentors in the field and ask for their advice. If you know any other CCOM students who have filed grade appeals, ask them about their experience.
You should also be using the LLF National Law Firm Education Law Team as a resource. Regardless of whether you decide to file an appeal, we can provide you with information to help you make the right decision. Our attorneys have helped countless medical students with grade appeals, including CCOM students. We know what the process looks like in practice, what you need to bring a successful claim, and how to prepare for each and every step.
If You’re Considering Filing a Grade Appeal, the LLF National Law Firm Can Help
At the LLF National Law Firm, we know deciding to file a grade appeal isn’t one you will take lightly. But you don’t have to fight the battle for a better grade alone. When you retain us, our Education Law Team is always in your corner, ensuring your rights are protected and you’re putting forward the strongest defense. Let’s start strategizing your case; call us today at 888-535-3686 or contact us online.