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.
Incomplete Coursework
In the preclinical phase, a course grade of "Incomplete" will only be granted when approved by the appropriate Director of Preclinical Education (DPCE). Requests for an Incomplete that are denied by a DPCE may be appealed to the appropriate Preclinical Education Assistant/Associate Dean, who is the final level of appeal. Incomplete grades must be completed by the designated deadline, or they will result in a course failure. Incomplete coursework must be completed before progressing to the next academic year.
In the clinical phase, 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 the 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 of 2024, 2025, and 2026 Class Rank Policy
Class rank for each student will be reported by quintiles based on accumulated total quality points in the following manner:
- For OMS I and II, quality points are earned in required courses for which an Honors, Pass, or Fail grade is assigned. This includes all required courses, except for those courses in which only P/F grades are assigned (Medical Ethics, Advanced Medical Ethics, Interprofessional Education I, Interprofessional Education II, and Evidence-Based Medicine).
- For OMS III, quality points are earned in required core clerkship courses for which an Honors, Pass, or Fail grade is assigned.
Cumulative ranking will be reported on the Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE). The MSPE that is made available to ERAS will have the cumulative OMS I, II, and III ranking, with each year contributing 1/3rd to the total rank. All rankings will be reported by quintile, unless required by a military or scholarship program, or for which students have given explicit permission.
Class of 2027 and subsequent classes Class Rank Policy
Class rank for each student will be reported by quintiles based on accumulated total quality points in the following manner:
- For OMS I and II, quality points are earned in required courses for which an Honors, Pass, or Fail grade is assigned. This includes all required courses, except for those courses in which only P/F grades are assigned (Medical Ethics, Advanced Medical Ethics, Interprofessional Education I, Interprofessional Education II, and Evidence-Based Medicine).
- For OMS III, quality points are earned in required core clerkship courses for which an Honors, Pass, or Fail grade is assigned.
Cumulative ranking will be reported on the Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE). The MSPE that is made available to ERAS will have the cumulative OMS I, II, and III ranking, with each year contributing 1/3rd to the total rank. All rankings will be reported by quintile, unless required by a military or scholarship program, or for which students have given explicit permission.
The MSPE that is made available to ERAS will have two rankings. One will be the combined OMS I and OMS II rankings (weighted equally) and the other will be the OMS III ranking. Each ranking will be reported by quintile, unless required by a military or scholarship program, or for which students have given explicit permission.
Academic Grievances Policy (Grade Appeal)
Matters regarding grading disputes of assessments within a specific course or another requirement shall include all concerns related to specific grades received or the policy by which grades are determined.
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/Associate Deans of Preclinical Education for OMS I and II or 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 no later than five business days after the course has been finalized. The written appeal must state the circumstances surrounding the grade dispute, with specificity. A review of the student problems 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).