LostSauce Posted July 2, 2019 Share Posted July 2, 2019 (edited) Hi 2nd year PA student on the West Coast & possibly facing program dismissal. Background: Didactic year I made it to second quarter, failed Clin Med by less than 1 point and Pharm by 3 points. During that time I was dealing with A LOT outside of the typical fast paced learning, stress & pressures of PA school. Unfamiliar with the area I took the advice of a non PA grad student friend & got an apartment 30mins from school (terrible public trans commute), my grandmother fell into a coma, a storm left my bedroom ceiling with a grapefruit sized hole which then gave full access into my place for the mice & cockroaches that were apparently living in the basement of the building. Also I was struggling with the pace of material. I tried my damndest to push past all of this but fell short. I was afforded the option of returning the following year to join the next cohort. I returned and performed VERY well from then on out. My overall & semester GPA has consistently been above the 3.00 min. I got an apartment within walking distance of school, used a tutor & modified my studying/test prep. I made it to clinical year and have successfully completed 5 rotations thus far. I am less than 6 months from graduation but have now hit a snag! I just failed an EOR exam. More background: My cousin, aunt and brother have all passed away within the last 30 days. The most recent loss occurred the morning of the (initial) EOR exam (which I didn’t take). I was given a few days to be home and then returned to take the exam. In between I was not eating, sleeping and my anxiety/stress was even worse than the typical “PA school level”. Icing on the cake? I drove 5 hours the morning of the exam and blew a tire 1 hour out (2 hours before exam time). Made it to the exam literally in a sweat, took the exam & awaited the results. I failed by 1.5 points (2 questions). Unfortunately, per graduate school policy -3 strikes and you’re out. The failed EOR exam = failed rotation= failed course. The 2 didactic course + EOR = 3. This means that I am up for dismissal. I can appeal due to extenuating circumstances but I am SUPER nervous about the possibility of the appeal not going in my favor. I am so passionate about this and have worked so hard for this. I feel that I am FULLY capable of being a great PA. My preceptor reviews, my grades (since returning) and many of my professors can attest to that. I am so fearful that my future as a PA may not be possible if the appeal is denied bc most programs frown upon applicants that have been previously dismissed. Advice? Feedback? Suggestions? Edited July 2, 2019 by LostSauce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UGoLong Posted July 2, 2019 Share Posted July 2, 2019 Your best chance, in my opinion, is to make your case where you are. I would also not say much about what happened two years ago (the weakest part of your argument in your note above) but concentrate on the unusual events associated with this EOR issue. I would also get faculty on your side (like your advisor, etc). Not sure how your school does it, but where I work we have a committee meet, rather than just saying that the rules apply without any consideration for what actually happened. Good luck and sorry for your losses this month. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beachbulldog Posted July 2, 2019 Share Posted July 2, 2019 (edited) Definitely apply for the appeal. Show your track record since returning and succinctly state the challenges you faced the morning of the exam as well as by how slim a margin you didn't pass. I'd also evaluate why you were cutting it so close to get to the exam on time (as they will), meaning, could you have driven in the night before? Consider what precluded you from making that a less stressful and more successful outcome so you can apply that going forward. Bear in mind that your school WANTS you to succeed. It affects their performance percentages and attractiveness to prospective students. Use your relationships with faculty and forge new ones to ensure they go to bat for you. Good Luck! Edited July 2, 2019 by beachbulldog wrong tense Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LostSauce Posted July 2, 2019 Author Share Posted July 2, 2019 @beachbulldog Thank you for the advice/input, it’s appreciated! I had plans to arrive for the exam the night before but the friend I was scheduled to stay with cancelled last minute (family/marital issue). Free housing was the most ideal due to a limited budget. I had no other housing options at the time so I decided to stay put, get some sleep and leave super early in the morning. I set out on the road trip giving myself an hour of cushion time in case there was traffic. Without the tire issues I would have arrived for the exam at least an hour before hand, which at the time , I thought was sufficient. I will for sure make/use an alternate plan in the future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UGoLong Posted July 2, 2019 Share Posted July 2, 2019 [mention=135337]beachbulldog[/mention] Thank you for the advice/input, it’s appreciated! I had plans to arrive for the exam the night before but the friend I was scheduled to stay with cancelled last minute (family/marital issue). Free housing was the most ideal due to a limited budget. I had no other housing options at the time so I decided to stay put, get some sleep and leave super early in the morning. I set out on the road trip giving myself an hour of cushion time in case there was traffic. Without the tire issues I would have arrived for the exam at least an hour before hand, which at the time , I thought was sufficient. I will for sure make/use an alternate plan in the future. If I were you, I’d focus on the loss of three family members in a month, including your brother. The rest play a role, but they’re not so much what makes it reasonable to cut you some slack. Pretty much every exam — in a class of 50 — has someone who had a flat, lost their keys, had their apartment broken into, etc.Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MisterMig Posted July 3, 2019 Share Posted July 3, 2019 (edited) I am so sorry to hear about all the trials you've had to endure. As someone who graduated from PA school, practiced for years before I caught a tapeworm while practicing in a rural area, developed cysticercosis, and then lost my license to a related substance use issue, I. Hear. You. The licensing board even threw in that I had an obsession with child porn (um, no) and put some other individual's information in the opening pages of their closing document. I ended up homeless. Life can throw some really serious and shitty punches and sometimes there's just nothing you can do. In my situation, I had to appeal to 2 other state boards than the one I had been licensed under, before finding people who could comprehend everything I had gone through. So, stick with it. On the other hand, if for some reason you don't get the allowance to continue, there are many, MANY other professions which are easier, pay better and may make for a happier life. Either way, you're going to be a winner, okay? Edited July 3, 2019 by MisterMig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LostSauce Posted August 7, 2021 Author Share Posted August 7, 2021 Update: My program attempted to dismiss me. I appealed & was allowed to stay. The faculty fought me on this for quite some time. I believe that they interpreted my previous academic hiccup as an indication that I would not be successful. They were wrong. I took some time off to grieve & recalibrate. I’ve been doing great since my return & I graduate this year ! 3 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Granola82 Posted December 17, 2021 Share Posted December 17, 2021 Hi! I am going through a very similar situation- would I be able to contact you for advice on how to be successful in the appeals process. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANESMCR Posted December 19, 2021 Share Posted December 19, 2021 I’m a little lost here. You were up for dismissal in July 2019 more than halfway through clinical year. You post back in August 2021, 2 years later and have yet to graduate. But you won the appeal? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANESMCR Posted December 19, 2021 Share Posted December 19, 2021 On 12/17/2021 at 12:27 PM, Granola82 said: Hi! I am going through a very similar situation- would I be able to contact you for advice on how to be successful in the appeals process. Your program likely has a remedial option. Push for it and take whichever options they provide. Students don’t win lawsuits and appeals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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