RVU grade point averages (GPA) are based on a 100-point scale. The GPA is calculated by dividing quality points by GPA credit hours (pass/fail coursework is already excluded). The GPA will be a two-digit number with two decimal places and will not be rounded.
Core and Elective Clerkship Grading
Grades for the six core clinical clerkships are determined from the Faculty Evaluation of Medical Student Performance and the student’s score on the corresponding NBME Subject Examination (shelf exam). Additional details and grading components are provided in the course syllabi.
Elective clerkship grades are determined from the Faculty Evaluation of Medical Student Performance and additional grading components as outlined in the course syllabi.
Incomplete Coursework
A course grade of "Incomplete" will only be granted when approved by the Associate Dean of Student Affairs or the appropriate Director of Preclinical Education. Incomplete grades must be completed within the designated time frame or they will result in a course failure. Incomplete coursework must be completed before progressing to the next academic year.
Poor attendance, repeated tardiness, unapproved absence(s), or absences in excess of 3 days may result in a grade of incomplete, and the student may be required to repeat the entire Clinical Education Clerkship.
Quality Points
Quality points are the cumulative points used to calculate grade point average and class rank. Only courses with numeric final scores contribute to quality points.
For courses where a numeric score is assigned, the value is used to calculate the quality points. For example, a final grade of 85.2 earned in a 2-credit course will award 170.4 quality points (85.2 x 2 = 170.4).
Class Rank for Class of 2023
Class rank is calculated based on cumulative quality points earned from pre-clinical courses attempted and completed at Rocky Vista University. Class rank will only be reported to students at the end of the second semester of the second academic year. Class rank will be reported by quartile unless there is a requirement for an exception for the student’s best interest (e.g. military requirements or scholarships).
Class Rank for Class of 2024, 2025, and 2026
Class rank for each student will be reported by quintile and be based on student performance in OMS I, OMS II, and OMS III years. Each year will contribute one-third to the final ranking. For the preclinical years (OMS I and II) quality points will be used to determine ranking. For OMS III, ranking will be determined from student performance within core clerkship courses. Ranking will be reported on official RVUCOM transcripts at the end of OMS I, OMS II, and OMS III and on the MSPE that is made available through ERAS. All rankings will be reported by quintile, unless specifically required by residency programs, military requirements, scholarships, or otherwise.
Academic Grievances Policy (Grade Appeal)
Matters regarding grading disputes of assessments within a specific course or other requirement shall include all concerns related to specific grades received or the processes by which grades are determined.
Except under unusual circumstances, all grades (including the final grade for cumulative course performance) will be determined by the Course Director. When extraordinary circumstances bring a student to seek an appeal of a decision regarding a course grade, the student must seek solutions through the following administrative channels, entering at the appropriate level and proceeding in the order stated below. All appeals and decisions must be in writing.
- Course Director(s);
- Assistant Deans of Preclinical Education for OMS I and II or Assistant/Associate Deans of Clinical Education, as appropriate, for OMS III and IV (Final level of appeal)
A student seeking to resolve a grading concern through the administrative channels above must initiate formal action in writing within ten business days from the date that the course grade has been finalized. The written appeal must state the circumstances surrounding the grade dispute, with specificity. Review of the student problem and complaint at each administrative level will be carried out as expediently as possible. If the student is not satisfied with the decision, he or she may appeal to the next administrative level. If the student chooses to continue the appeal, this must be done in writing within five business days of the date the decision was rendered at each level of the appeal (excluding weekends and official school holidays).