At Drexel University College of Medicine, students can work towards several sought-after degrees, including MDs, masters of science (MS), and Ph.D. programs in various scientific and health disciplines. The school is proud of its innovative curriculum and concerted focus on hands-on research opportunities for its students.
Drexel University College of Medicine is also seeking to cement its reputation as a rigorous academic institution. If anything happens to jeopardize that reputation — e.g., if a student plagiarizes or is associated with a similar breach of the school's honor code — then the administration at Drexel University will recommend harsh sanctions.
As you may know, experiencing sanctions at the med school level, in particular, can be devastating. You've put in many years (and a significant amount of resources) to get where you are. If your school recommends dismissal at this stage of the game, it could be very hard to land on your feet.
At the Lento Law Firm, we're dedicated to protecting med students and their futures. For years, the Education Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm has assisted students nationwide through tense school discipline procedures. Call 888.535.3686 today, and we'll get started working with you on your case.
What are Common Reasons for Dismissal at the Drexel University College of Medicine?
Dismissal is a permanent, serious form of discipline. Generally, it's a mode of punishment reserved for serious violations of school codes of conduct.
The Drexel University College of Medicine code of conduct includes the following behaviors as a possible rationale for an expulsion:
- Academic dishonesty (e.g., plagiarism, cheating, and unauthorized collaboration)
- Behavioral concerns (ranging from hazing other students to bullying)
- Sexual misconduct (including harassment, stalking, and violence)
- Professionalism concerns
- Lack of academic progress
Not every type of violation will result in expulsion, but the actions that can trigger dismissal are more common than you might think. And the process can also proceed very quickly: Once your school learns about your alleged misconduct or problematic behavior, your school could launch its disciplinary procedures within days.
What Does the Adjudication Process at the Drexel University College of Medicine Look Like?
While the specific events your adjudication process includes will depend on the severity of your alleged misconduct and other circumstances surrounding your potential dismissal, there are a few common steps Drexel University always takes. These include:
- A notice of dismissal from Drexel University's administration. This notice should include the specific reasons that the College of Medicine is trying to dismiss you, including a reference to the school's code of conduct.
- An investigation phase. Drexel University College of Medicine will take time to uncover what happened. During this period, the College may ask you for a written statement. Attorney Joseph D. Lento and his team can help you pull together a persuasive argument at this time.
- Some form of meeting or hearing. Once Drexel University College of Medicine has enough evidence to pinpoint what happened, you will receive an invitation to a hearing. At this hearing, you will make your case, hear witness statements, and review any available evidence. At the end of this hearing, Drexel University College of Medicine will determine your responsibility for the alleged events and recommend a sanction.
If the College of Medicine recommends dismissal, that isn't the end of the road. You can still file an appeal to, hopefully, jumpstart negotiations and pursue a preferable outcome.
The Appeals Process at Drexel University College of Medicine
If it seems like it's time to file an official appeal to avoid dismissal at the Drexel University College of Medicine, work with Attorney Lento and his team to complete the following steps:
- Writing and filing an appeal. You'll need to write out your rationale for your appeal and file it with the College of Medicine's administration. Generally, you'll want to have a concrete reason — e.g., you're able to demonstrate that the school did not follow its own due process — to write a good appeal. However, the stakes are high: You only have one shot at an appeal at Drexel University! Attorney Lento can help you determine the best basis for your unique appeal and ensure it's filed on time.
- Waiting for a committee review. At Drexel University, appeals get sent to a committee of faculty members to review. You may need to wait about ten business days to receive an updated decision. Your student defense attorney can help you make sure this time is not wasted! The Lento Law Firm Team will help you get ready for any further steps you might need to take.
- Final decision. Your school will get back to you with a reduced sanction or a reinforcement of your original sanction. Attorney Lento can help you lead negotiations if your school is amenable to that. If not, Attorney Lento and his team can help you take any further actions needed, which may include filing a secondary appeal with the Pennsylvania State Board of Education or even filing a lawsuit against Drexel University itself.
Retain the Services of the Lento Law Firm Education Defense Team
If you're a medical student facing dismissal from Drexel University College of Medicine, there's too much on the line for you to leave anything up to chance.
Fortunately, you don't have to. Retain the services of Attorney Joseph D. Lento and his team, and you'll stand a much better chance of negotiating for a lesser sanction. For years, Attorney Lento has worked with med students across the nation who face dismissal. With his help, students have been able to work towards better outcomes. Whether you require legal advice or stellar representation, the Education Team at the Lento Law Firm is here to assist.
Just remember that you need to get started early. The faster you have the guidance of Attorney Joseph D. Lento and his team, the better! When you're worried about expulsion or dismissal at the Drexel University College of Medicine, contact the Lento Law Firm Student Defense team. The number is 888.535.3686, or you can contact the Lento Law Firm online.