Being a student at the University of Missouri (MU) School of Medicine is something to be proud of, but it also comes with significant stress. The pressure is high; every grade you receive at MU School of Medicine makes a difference to your future. As you know, grades are a huge component in whether you will get a coveted spot in the residency program you want, or even your third, fourth, or fifth choice.
At the end of the day, having a low or failing grade at the MU School of Medicine isn’t an option. With competition this high, you need to consider filing a grade appeal. And you wouldn’t be alone in filing an appeal. Countless medical students across the country are filing grade appeals. This isn’t a trend of whiny medical students trying to get a grade change they don’t deserve. This is a national pushback by medical students against their schools for low grades resulting from a lack of transparency and unfair grading practices.
If you want to fight for your grade at the MU School of Medicine, you need the LLF National Law Firm backing you. The grade appeal process can be confusing and secretive. MU School of Medicine isn’t publishing its grade appeals policy for all to see; it wants to be the one in charge. But when your career is on the line, you need our Education Law Team there to help you fight through the red tape and get answers. Let’s talk about your grade appeal today. Call us at 888-535-3686 or complete our online form.
Trust Your Gut
The semester is over; exams taken, clerkships ended, and you’re already revving up for another taxing semester of medical school. Now, the MU School of Medicine has released your grades, and you’re shocked by a grade. Perhaps you thought this wasn’t your best class, but you weren’t expecting this. Or you didn’t have any indication that things were going awry. Either way, something isn’t sitting right with you, and you need to trust your gut.
Now isn’t the time to doubt yourself or bite your tongue. Every grade matters – so ask questions! There is always a chance the grade was a mistake. When course and clerkship directors enter grades, they make mistakes; maybe it’s a typo, or they entered the grade for the wrong student. You won’t know until you ask.
If you are confident there is no administrative error or typo, that doesn’t mean you’re done asking questions. It’s time to sit down with your course or clerkship director to walk through their thought process on giving you this grade. While the grading process and expectations should have been clear from day one, ask that they explain them to you again. Then ask for concrete examples of how your coursework or conduct wasn’t in line with expectations, where you fell short, and where mistakes were made. You can even ask why there was no dialogue about your allegedly poor performance earlier.
These conversations may be fruitful. You may be on the same page with your course or clerkship director by the end of the conversation, even if it’s not the best thing to hear. But if you aren’t satisfied with the answers and don’t think the grade was appropriate, trust your gut and consider filing a grade appeal.
When It’s Appropriate to File a Grade Appeal
A low or failing grade, while upsetting, isn’t enough for you to file a grade appeal. Medical schools require more than just disagreeing with a grade for a student to file an appeal. Each school outlines the circumstances under which its students are entitled to a grade appeal. Unfortunately, MU School of Medicine doesn’t publicly publish anything about its grade appeal process. That doesn’t mean you’re in the dark. Information should be within your student portal. But for general reference, medical students are typically only allowed to file an appeal in situations involving:
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Lack of transparency in grading calculations
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Inconsistent evaluations between different instructors or preceptors
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Subjective or unclear grading standards
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Discriminatory practices
If any of the above played a role in your subpar grade, then consider filing a grade appeal.
The Grade Appeal Process at the University of Missouri School of Medicine
As we mentioned, MU School of Medicine doesn’t provide much transparency into its grade appeals process. The process is available through your student portal, but cutting it off from the public implies they are trying to control the situation and limit your outside support. That doesn’t mean you have to go in alone. At the LLF National Law Firm, we don’t tolerate a lack of transparency or attempts to hide documents outlining students’ rights. While we can discuss the process with you in more detail during your consultation, here’s a brief description of the MU School of Medicine appeal process.
After your grade is posted, you don’t have much time to file an appeal. Because of this time limit, you will need to act fast. Even if you aren’t 100 percent sure you want to file an appeal, it’s best to prepare as if you will. Our Education Law Team will help you with everything you need to submit to ensure you don’t miss your window to appeal.
The first step in the process is often the one we discussed above – meeting with your course or clerkship director. This isn’t part of the formal grade appeal process, but it’s often required or strongly encouraged as the first step. While we agree that you should take this step, make sure meeting with your course or clerkship director doesn’t affect your ability to file your appeal on time.
Grade appeals are always made in writing; most likely, your appeal will be filed with the department chair. You want your appeal to be comprehensive and heavily supported by any evidence in your favor. MU School of Medicine will always assume that its faculty are making the correct call when it comes to grading. The burden is on you to show that the grade was completely inappropriate, not just a bit unfair.
The grade appeal process can have many steps. You will file the appeal and receive an answer. If you disagree, you can file an appeal at a higher level. Generally, there can be two or more appeal levels. But putting your strongest defense forward at the start can limit how long your case drags on and get you the best possible outcome at this first level. In some cases, you may request a hearing to present the evidence and your argument for why your grade was incorrectly issued.
You should never submit anything, go into any meeting, formal or informal, or attend a hearing without first consulting with your LLF National Law Firm attorney. MU School of Medicine might try hard to keep everything between you and them, but you need to be thoroughly prepared for every interaction. Our Education Law Team knows what happens behind closed doors in the grade appeal process. While MU School of Medicine officials may seem friendly, the only person you can count on to be on your side is you and your LLF National Law Firm attorney. We make sure you don’t fall for any tricks and approach every interaction in a way that increases your chance of a grade increase.
Deciding if a Grade Appeal is the Right Choice for You
Filing a grade appeal isn’t a decision you should take lightly (unless you have mountains of evidence of discrimination or other incriminating evidence). Pushing back against medical school authority comes with consequences; it doesn’t mean an appeal isn’t worth it. You need to look at the entire picture before taking the next step.
Some students worry that filing a grade appeal can result in poor comments on the Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE). No one wants, or can afford, to have any comments in their MSPE that portray them as difficult, argumentative, insubordinate, or otherwise negative. Other students worry that once news of their grade appeal spreads, their other professors will be less willing to write a letter of recommendation. While these outcomes are possible, they aren’t a sure thing, and they shouldn’t deter you from filing a legitimate grade appeal.
Still, pulling the trigger on filing an appeal can be overwhelming. Before you make a decision, you want to have a good understanding of the process and what it looks like in practice. You can do this by speaking with your mentors. Also, reach out to other MU School of Medicine students who have filed appeals.
Considering a Grade Appeal at the University of Missouri School of Medicine? The LLF National Law Firm Can Help
At the LLF National Law Firm, our attorneys are well-versed in the MU School of Medicine grade appeal process. We know how the process works and how cases generally go for students in situations like yours. When you retain an LLF National Law Firm attorney, we tell you what you need to have a successful grade appeal and how to put forth the strongest case at every step in the appeal. Let’s discuss your case; call us today at 888-535-3686 or contact us online.