Appealing a Dismissal from Medical School: What You Should Keep in Mind

Have you been dismissed from med school? If so, you probably find the decision unfair. However, before you request an appeal, you should try other options first to resolve the issue. Try to go to the Office of Student Affairs and ask for assistance and think about an appeal only after exhausting other alternatives. Appealing a dismissal from medical school means asserting there are errors in the facts taken into account for making the decision. If you have decided to appeal a dismissal from medical school, you should consider hiring a student defense attorney to guide and assist you. 

How the Appeal Process Works

If you want to appeal a dismissal decision by a medical school, you need to produce evidence of errors beyond just asserting the decision was unjust. You need to have the appeal in writing addressed to the Department Chair, citing the reasons you don’t agree with the decision. After the Chair gets your letter, they will review the decision with a group of faculty members. This group may interview you before they make a determination. They will inform you of their decision through a letter. 

You may only be able to file an official appeal if your grade has an impact on your dismissal. For example, you can appeal a grade that results in you having to repeat a course. 

Due Process Rights Denial

If you think the school denied your right to due process as they made the dismissal decision, this denial can be used as your defense to the dismissal. A due process denial can be a good ground for reversing the dismissal. While schools can deny this right in an emergency situation such as when it thinks you are a threat to the school and other students, it has to be just temporary. The due process procedures should be given as soon as possible. 

If you want to appeal a dismissal from med school, you must speak with a skilled attorney. Your rights must be protected and all procedures need to be followed. The right lawyer can explain these rights and procedures to you. They can represent you as necessary. Due process rights include the right to notice and a fair hearing before dismissal is administered. Student discipline becomes a more serious problem if the discipline does not respect your rights, particularly your right to due process. A formal hearing should be held to evaluate a dismissal.