The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine (UTRGV SOM) is a premier medical school in Texas. Known for its innovative curriculum and commitment to underserved communities, UTRGV SOM is a vital resource to the people of Texas and the surrounding region. Students at UTRGV SOM are a competitive group, and they work for excellence. While students at UTRGV SOM expect competition in medical school to be fierce, they also reasonably expect it to be fair. Increasingly, today’s medical students are demanding a fairer and more transparent grading and ranking system. When the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) moved from a numeric score to a pass/fail, medical school grades and faculty recommendations became even more critical to the decision-making of most residency programs. If a student at UTRGV SOM receives a low grade or evaluation or if their MSPE has inaccuracies, it will likely have a real negative effect on their standing and career. In many cases, a medical student will have no choice but to appeal and correct an inaccurate grade or evaluation.
If you have received an unfair grade or narrative evaluation at UTRGV SOM, you may wish to explore an appeal or revision. The decision on whether to file a grade appeal can be challenging, but the experienced attorneys on the LLF National Law Firm Education Law Team can help. The LLF National Law Firm Team is familiar with the grading and evaluation system at UTRGV SOM and can advise you on the best course of action. The LLF National Law Firm has a proven track record of representing medical students in grade and evaluation appeals. Contact us today at 888-535-3686, or fill out our online form.
Grading System at UTRGV SOM
UTRGV SOM uses one of two grading systems for medical school grading.
- A simple Pass/No Pass grading system, involving two possible grades:
- Pass “P” Grade: A class score of 70% or higher will be graded as “Pass”.
- No Pass “NP” Grade: A score below 70% will be graded as “No Pass”.
- A more complex grading system involving the following:
- Honors “H” Grade: A score of 90% or above will be graded as “Honors”.
- High Pass “HP” Grade: A score between 80% and 90% will be graded as “High Pass”.
- Pass “P” Grade: A score of between 70% and 80% will be graded as “Pass”.
- No Pass “NP” Grade: A score below 70% will be graded as “No Pass”.
Students may also receive a grade of “I” for an incomplete course or a grade of “W” when they withdraw from a course before completing the requirements. Module grades (years one and two) are based on a Pass/No Pass grading system. Clerkship years (years three and four) are based on either an Honors/High Pass/Pass/No Pass system or a Pass/No Pass system. Each clerkship will provide students with a grading rubric.
Grade Appeal Process at UTRGV SOM
Students at UTRGV SOM may pursue two types of grade or evaluation appeals:
- Final course grades.
- Narrative evaluations or assessments.
Additionally, students may appeal the content contained in an MSPE or “Dean’s letter.” As a practical matter, these are typically appeals of clerkship narratives, but students may dispute any inaccurate content in the MSPE.
The process for appealing a grade or narrative evaluation is as follows:
Step One – Informal Resolution (Encouraged, but not Required)
Any student who wishes to contest a narrative evaluation or a numeric grade should first discuss the issue with the course or clerkship director. This step is encouraged but not required.
Step Two – Grievance to Assistant Dean for Pre-Clerkship or Clerkships
The student who chooses not to pursue informal resolution or for whom this informal resolution is not successful may file a written notice of grade appeal with the Assistant Dean for Pre-Clerkships/Clerkships. This appeal must be filed within 20 days of the publication of the grade or evaluation (or 15 days if no informal resolution is sought). The student must meet with the Assistant Dean and state a basis for the grade appeal. The Assistant Dean will respond to the student with a decision within 15 days of receiving the student’s appeal and supporting documentation.
Step Three – Appeal to Ad Hoc Committee
If the result is not satisfactory, the student may appeal to the Associate Dean for Educational Affairs within 5 business days from receipt of the written decision. The student will submit a written portfolio with a rationale for the grade appeal. The Associate Dean for Educational Affairs may appoint an ad hoc Committee to hear the appeal. This Committee will consist of faculty members without prior contact or conflict of interest. This Committee is intended to be fact-gathering in nature, although it may hold a hearing. The ad hoc Committee will present its findings to the Associate Dean.
Step Four – Decision of Associate Dean for Educational Affairs
The Associate Dean will decide the appeal after input from the ad hoc Committee. The Associate Dean may choose to take no action (i.e., let the earlier decision stand), modify the decision, or reverse the decision.
If the grade appeal is successful, the course grade or evaluation will be changed to reflect the decision.
Requests for Revision of MSPEs
Students at UTRGV SOM have the right to request revision of any inaccurate information in their MSPEs. The most common concern is the summary evaluation written at the end of a clerkship. The appeal of that evaluation should follow the process described for grade and evaluation appeals. However, the policy does provide for the correction of inaccurate information at the time of the draft of the MSPE or “Dean’s Letter.” Other concerns regarding content in the MSPE should be taken to the Associate Dean for Student Affairs. The final form and content of the MSPE is the responsibility of the Associate Dean for Student Affairs. After an MSPE is finalized and submitted, it cannot be changed, so timely appeals are important.
What are Typical Grounds of Grade Appeals?
UTRGV SOM allows grade appeals of both narrative evaluations and letter or numeric grades. The SOM also allows requests to revise MSPEs before they are finalized. When faced with an unfair and damaging grade, many students are confused. This is particularly true with narrative evaluations, which may describe events that did not happen or actually happened to another student. This carelessness may anger or shock students, but it is relatively commonplace. Unfortunately, the most common reasons for grade or evaluation errors stem from a lack of care. Some, however, are caused by personal dislike or discrimination. While the reason for a grade appeal will vary, the most common grounds are:
- Errors in calculating scores.
- Errors in record-keeping, such as failing to note assignments or events properly.
- Narrative evaluations that rely on memory or have little or no basis in facts.
- Evaluations colored by discrimination or personal animus.
- A failure to follow the syllabus or testing on material not covered or assigned.
Whatever the reason for the grade appeal, a smart student will approach challenging a grade carefully and after due consideration of the risks.
Practical Considerations for Grade Appeals
A student who has received an unfair grade or narrative evaluation faces an important decision. Filing a grade appeal comes with inherent risks. A faculty member unused to criticism or review may resent having their judgment questioned. This faculty member might later retaliate against a student in subtle ways that are difficult to challenge. It is important to note that faculty have power, particularly in this age, when medical school grades and evaluations are such a vital part of the MSPE. Students who decide to pursue grade or evaluation appeals should do so with great care and tact. Try always to negotiate for errors to be removed and avoid personal attacks. In some instances, such as allegations of discrimination, conflict with the faculty member is unavoidable. But in many instances, it is possible to negotiate and to otherwise address grading errors without burning academic bridges. Particularly if the appeal is undertaken to correct errors in the MSPE, the student may have no choice but to pursue it.
Protecting Your Rights
If you are facing a medical student appeal, it is essential to have an experienced attorney from the LLF National Law Firm to advise and take on your cause. The attorneys on our team can help you:
- Decide whether an appeal is in your interests.
- Determine the basis or theory of your appeal.
- Prepare your appeal portfolio.
- Negotiate informally for changes to your grades, evaluations, or MSPE.
- Prepare your statement.
- Prepare you to appear before the Committee.
The LLF National Law Firm Education Law Team has numerous contacts within the country’s medical schools and will work aggressively to settle your grade appeal informally. If this is not successful, we will assist you in pursuing your appeal. We have a proven track record of defending medical students in a wide range of actions and appeals nationwide. Call the LLF National Law Firm at 888-535-3686 or fill out our online form, and we will contact you.