Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine (BU) is committed to intellectually, professionally, and personally developing its students. To do so, they provide their students with exceptional resources, like leading instructors and cutting-edge research opportunities. In return, they expect their students to maintain certain academic and professional standards. When students are unable to maintain these standards or flat-out violate them, they will be held responsible, which could result in a dismissal hearing.
Medical students, in general, are highly competitive and hold themselves to high levels of achievement. As such, they become overwhelmed with stress and anxiety when they are not excelling in medical school. When this happens, they can fall behind academically or resort to behaviors they would normally not pursue.
Academic attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team know how long you have been dreaming of becoming a physician and how demanding medical school is for you. If your medical school has accused you of violating one of their conduct or academic progression regulations, Attorney Lento and the Lento Law Firm Education Law Team can help. Call today.
Common Reasons for Dismissal
When you are in the midst of applying to medical school, all you can think about is your undergraduate grades, personal statement, and MCAT scores. You are not focused on what life in medical school will be like, which is why many students are so surprised by how taxing it actually is. BU School of Medicine receives over 11,000 applicants each year but only enrolls about 700 of them. That's a 1.26% acceptance rate, making BU one of the more difficult schools to gain admission to.
Once a student is admitted, the pressure mounts quickly. If they are unable to keep up with the standard academic progression rate, are accused of cheating, or misbehave in the classroom or clinical setting, they could be dismissed from the program. And any type of disciplinary issue after you are accepted can have serious consequences for your post-graduate career.
The most common reason for a student to be dismissed from their medical school program is:
- Academic misconduct – such as cheating or plagiarism.
- Professional misconduct – like failing to maintain patient confidentiality during clinicals or abusing your colleagues, instructors, or hospital staff.
- Behavioral misconduct – threatening to harm another person, damaging hospital or university equipment, or disrupting the academic environment.
Of course, this list is not exhaustive, and sometimes accusations are made without any evidence to back them up. When this happens, a student's future is subject to the university's ability to uphold the student's due process rights. Hiring an attorney-advisor is the only way to ensure the university does not drop the ball and adjudicate you for actions or issues you are not at fault for.
Adjudication Process at Boston University School of Medicine
When medical students at Boston University School of Medicine are accused of violating academic integrity or professional and behavioral standards, the issue will be referred to the Graduate Medical Sciences Committee on Academic Standards (GMSCAS). The GMSCAS will review the complaint and discover whether the student had previously signed a GMS Academic Conduct Code and Disciplinary Procedure form and whether the student has a record of academic misconduct from undergrad at BU.
The faculty member who has accused the student will then take that information and meet with the accused student to discuss the suspected violation. If the student is a first-time offender and admits the violation, the faculty member can issue a grading penalty against the student, including failing the student.
But if the student does not admit to the violation, the student does not agree to the grading penalty sanction, or the student has been previously found responsible for misconduct, they will be referred to a more formal hearing process. During this formal hearing, both the student and the faculty member will have a chance to present their case, including relevant evidence and witness testimony. They will also be allowed to cross-examine the other side's witnesses and evidence.
In the end, the GMSCAS will review the arguments and decide whether the student is responsible for committing a violation. If they find the student responsible, they can also decide how to punish the student. Punishments will range from a grading penalty, reprimand, or probation to suspension, expulsion, or revocation of their medical degree.
Appeals Process
Students have the right to appeal the decision of the GMSCAS up to three times. The first appeal is made to the Associate Provost of GMS, the second to the Dean of the Medical School, and the third is made to the University Provost. All appeals must be made in writing within 14 days of receiving the decision notification and include the reason for the appeal request.
The designee being appealed will review the appeal and determine whether the previous designee's decision should be affirmed, modified, or reversed or if the matter should be remanded for a new hearing. Most medical schools do not offer so many opportunities to appeal, so it is important to take advantage of that. If you are unsuccessful, don't lose hope; keep explaining your case to the next rung.
How a Skilled Student Defense Attorney-Advisor Can Help
Like all graduate schools, medical school was created to educate future physicians in both the academic and professional standards required by the field of medicine. As such, Boston University Medical School is committed to disciplining students who violate the ethical, professional, and academic regulations they set out.
If you are facing a disciplinary action, academic progression conference, or a dismissal hearing, medical student defense attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm Education Law Team can help. With unparalleled experience and a fighting spirit, the Lento Law Firm Team will work diligently to ensure the best possible outcome for your case. Call 888-535-3686 today or schedule a consultation online.
