Grade Point Average

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 Assistant Dean of Preclinical Curriculum Management who is the ﬁnal level of appeal. With the exception of the Preclinical Capstone Course (OM 2070) for Class of 2026 and the Preclinical Capstone II Course (OM 2071) for subsequent classes (Class of 2027 and future classes), 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 meet with the Assistant Dean of Clinical Education Resources for adjudication.

Quality Points

Quality points are the cumulative points used to calculate the grade point average and class rank. Only preclinical courses with numeric final scores and clinical OMS III clinical clerkships 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 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.
For OMS III students in the Class of 2026, quality points are earned in OMS III clinical clerkship courses for which an Honors, High Pass, 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 numerically scored required courses for which an Honors, Pass, or Fail grade is assigned on the transcript. The following courses do not contribute to quality points: Medical Ethics, Interprofessional Education I, Interprofessional Education II, Evidence-Based Medicine, Preclinical Capstone I, and Preclinical Capstone II.
For OMS III, quality points are earned in required OMS III clinical clerkship courses for which an Honors, High Pass, Pass, or Fail grade is assigned.

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)

All final course grades will be determined by the Course Director or Clerkship Director. When extraordinary circumstances bring a student to seek an appeal of a final 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.

Preclinical Course Director(s) or Clinical Clerkship Director;
Assistant Dean of Preclinical Curriculum Management (or designee) for OMS I and II or Sr. Assoc Dean of Clinical Education for OMS III and IV (Final level of appeal)

The Grade Appeal process is not permitted to be used as a means to dispute existing policies by which grades are determined. Eligibility to pursue a grade appeal includes:

Evidence of discrimination in the assignment of the final course grade (allegations of discrimination will be forwarded to the appropriate University office for investigation)
Evidence of a procedural error in the assignment of the final grade
Evidence that the Course Director/Clerkship Director acted in an arbitrary or capricious manner

A student seeking to resolve a grading concern through the administrative channels above must initiate formal action in writing no later than 5:00 pm five business days after the course grade has been finalized in the LMS for Preclinical grades or posted on the student transcript for Clinical Clerkship grades. The written appeal must state the basis of the grade appeal from the eligibility criteria listed and the circumstances surrounding the grade dispute, with specificity. A review of the student appeal at each administrative level will be carried out as expediently as possible. If the student wishes to appeal the first decision level, they may appeal to the second decision level in writing no later than 5:00 pm five business days from receipt of the first decision (excluding weekends and official school holidays).