Keeping up an excellent academic performance is not easy, and a lot of factors can play into your overall performance. If you have been having difficulties keeping up with your academics and are being dismissed, you definitely have the right to appeal a dismissal from medical school and save yourself.
If given a chance, you should always try for an in-person appeal. Though you can appeal for yourself, it is always better to hire a professional that can help you prepare for the questions you may be asked during your appeal. You can learn more here.
What should you do when threatened with an academic dismissal?
You can always appeal the dismissal if you have received the threat of academic dismissal. Here are some tips for how to appeal an academic dismissal:
- If your college allows you to appeal in person, then definitely do so. Dress properly, arrive at the appeal committee early, show them gratitude, and you may just be able to impress them.
- If you submit a written appeal, be honest as possible in the appeal letter. Explain why your grades have dropped and what you plan to do to improve them. Be polite.
- Have a plan B. It is never guaranteed if the appeal will work or not. You can try your best, but looking at other colleges and options is also a good idea.
What are the questions that you are likely to be asked during your appeal?
1. The reason behind your lack of performance
It is almost a guarantee that you will be asked this question. Try to be as brutally honest as you can. Lies or vague and trivial answers will not help your case. Whatever the issue, discuss it with them.
Give them something to work with, so they can see a path to success for you. If you have a genuine reason for your lack of performance, such as medical issues, then show them all the documents you have.
2. What did you do to fix the issue?
If you have taken steps to improve your academic grade and still failed, let your attorney know. If you did not do anything, be honest about that too. If the help you sought was medical instead of academic, make sure to provide documentation.
3. Did you miss a lot of classes? Why?
Plenty of students fail every year, and lack of attendance plays a significant role in that. If you missed a lot of classes, tell the committee. It is very likely that the committee members already got input from your professors, so make sure, to be honest about this.
You can easily lose the committee’s trust if you are caught in a lie. Also, discuss what caused you to miss your classes.
4. Why do you think you deserve a second chance?
This is an awkward question to answer. It is hard to make the committee believe you deserve a second chance when your records are full of bad grades. However, this question is a chance for you to articulate what you learned from your failures and how eager you are to improve.
5. What steps will you take to up your performance from now on?
It would help if you had a future success plan ready before you stand in front of the appeal committee. Think of all the little steps you can take to better yourself and present them as a legitimate plan. The key is to be realistic.
It would be best if you created a well-thought-out and actionable plan. Not only will it impress the appeals committee, but it will also help you if your appeal is successful.
6. What are your plans if you are not readmitted?
Whether your appeal will be successful or not is not guaranteed. Thus, be ready with your plan B so you can answer this question genuinely when asked. Ask your attorney for advice on what other options you can explore if you are dismissed.
How can an attorney help in this situation?
Hiring a professional can help you in numerous ways if you face the threat of academic dismissal. Some of these include:
They can help you check the facts and rules
You need to be aware of some things before you can appeal your dismissal. It is essential to check the validity of your case and to be mindful of the rules and regulations of your institution.
For this, someone needs to thoroughly read the terms and clauses of the university and the university’s rulebook. Without this knowledge, it can be challenging to appeal your academic dismissal. Your attorney can help you by going through all of this and help you find loopholes that can help your case.
They can help you check the underlying causes
If someone’s grades have dropped, laziness or lack of integrity does not always need to be the answer to why. There can be circumstantial causes that play a part in the lack of performance, or it may be medical or psychological problems. Family problems can also play a part.
Your lawyer can use a few documents and cite any of these circumstances as the reason for your lack of performance. Without a professional, you may not be able to present your case correctly. A lawyer can help with anything, from gathering documents and evidence to presenting your case convincingly.
They are a huge help in handling the appeal process
A lot goes into the process of appealing an academic dismissal. You need to do much more than just submit an appeal letter. A good lawyer can help you understand the whole process as set by your institution and help and guide you throughout the entire process.
An experienced lawyer enables you to carry out the process in a way you would not be able to do yourself.
Facing the threat of an academic dismissal?
If you face the threat of academic dismissal, the best option for you is to reach out to a professional – someone who can help you deal with the appeals process and also help you explore your other options.
