The Medical College of Wisconsin (“MCW”) has been a fixture in the state for over a century. Medical students who have the opportunity to attend this school were drawn to it for good reason. After a competitive undergraduate career, MCW medical students are relatively near the finish line. Unfortunately, not everyone makes it over that finish line.
Students can be dismissed from medical school for any number of reasons. It's a mistake to think that only misconduct will lead to dismissal from medical school. Dismissal is the worst outcome of a school investigation, and there's very little chance you can overcome it without the experienced guidance of a student dismissal defense attorney-advisor.
Reasons for Dismissal from MCW
As outlined in their Student Handbook, there are a multitude of reasons a medical student might be dismissed from MCW. These reasons include:
- Poor academic performance
- Failure to complete the curriculum on time
- Serious professionalism concerns
- Student misconduct issues
- Sexual misconduct violations
If you're already facing dismissal or if you have already been dismissed from MCW, you should work to address the issue you were dismissed for. Doing so can help you demonstrate your desire to change and improve your situation. From the moment you receive notice of an investigation against you, you should put your best foot forward with sincerity.
What to Expect During the Adjudication Process
When MCW's Academic Standing and Professionalism Committee (“committee”) learns that a student's actions might warrant dismissal, it is supposed to notify the student through a hand-delivered letter, or through certified mail with a return receipt requested. It's critical a student gets notice of the committee's intent to hold a hearing on the matter because time is of the essence, and a student will need every opportunity to retain a dismissal defense attorney-advisor and to gather evidence to present their side of the case.
This formal notice will describe the reason for the investigation, and it should also outline the date and time of the hearing. You will have a limited amount of time to prepare for the hearing, during which you can present your side of the story.
At the conclusion of the hearing, the committee will make a decision, which will be effective immediately. If you've been dismissed, you'll have to leave your program.
More Facts to Know About the Hearing
It's important to know the hearing is private, and won't be opened up to an audience. This may help some students more honestly explain their situation. Of course, you should present your case with the help of your attorney-advisor.
A student doesn't have to attend the hearing, but it is advisable they do. Your hearing will take place whether you attend or not, so it's a good idea to be present with your attorney-advisor.
The committee makes the final decision concerning your dismissal. Said committee is made up of administrative professionals and medical school faculty with detailed working knowledge of the policies and procedures of MCW.
Appealing the Decision to Dismiss
The final decision will seem like the end of the road. If you've been dismissed, it may feel like all is lost, but there may still be an opportunity to appeal the decision to dismiss you from MCW. The appeal procedures are unsurprisingly strict, and if you haven't worked with an attorney-advisor yet, the time to retain one is now.
First, you'll need to provide written notice of your intent to appeal the committee's decision to dismiss you. This notice must be provided to the MCW Senior Associate Dean within three business days of the committee's decision. Upon notice of your appeal, an Appeals Committee will be formed by MCW's Dean. This Appeals Committee is comprised of senior faculty members other than those who were on the Academic Standing and Professionalism Committee.
The Appeals Committee will review the earlier decision and may reverse the dismissal if it finds the Academic Standing and Professionalism Committee's decision was arbitrary and capricious, unfair, or incorrect.
The Adjudication Timeline
At MCW, the procedures allow for little time to prepare for the original dismissal hearing. Once the issue has been raised to the committee and they've determined enough evidence exists to hold the hearing, said hearing will be held no more than fifteen days after you receive notice.
Importantly, you also need to notify the committee if you wish to have an attorney-advisor work with you on your defense. The committee must receive this notice from you no more than three business days before the hearing. Once you hire an attorney-advisor, you don't have to do these complicated date calculations, and instead you can trust your defense team to handle this for you.
The timeline for appeals can be even lengthier, with appeals hearings held up to thirty days after the formation of the special Appeals Committee. There's no specified time limit for the amount of time it is allowed from the time you give notice of intent to appeal to the time the Appeals Committee is formed.
The best course of action is to act as quickly as possible. As soon as you suspect a hearing will be had concerning your performance or behavior, or as soon as you receive formal notice of said hearing, you need to retain a medical student dismissal defense attorney-advisor.
Retain Medical Student Dismissal Attorney-Advisor
If you're facing dismissal at MCW, or if you've already been dismissed, you need to speak with a medical student dismissal attorney-advisor. Attorney-Advisor Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm Education Law Team have helped others just like you who need guidance during this incredibly stressful time. To learn how the Lento Law Firm can help you, call 888-535-3686 or contact us online.
