Injustice?

Student Lounge College Life
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<p>I was recently accused of cheating. Yes I know you've heard this story countless times. But I really do not know what to do anymore. </p>

<p>I am a med student and have been accused of cheating on my Psychiatry exam 2 weeks ago. I studied really hard trying to memorise all the diagnostic criteria of DSM IV. My professor has no proof that I cheated and merely accused me of cheating based on hearsay. At the end of the exam the professor called out my classmate and I and asked us to stay. He asked both of us (separately), if we cheated. He simply said to answer his question with a yes or no. Obviously I didn't know what he was going to ask, so I was shocked to be accused of such a heinous act. By the way, did I mention that the exam was an ESSAY? I honestly don't know how one cheats on a 10 page essay exam. But apparently I did, apparently I wrote the answers on the palms of my hands. I showed him my hands as proof, and even emptied out my pockets. But I could still hear it in his voice that he made up his mind and deemed me a cheater. I was not able to look him directly in the eye during most of the conversation. And I believe that's what made him further believe that I cheated even if I didn't. Is it not common for people to feel uncomfortable to look people in the eye? He's a psychiatrist for crying out loud, shouldn't he know that? I tried explaining further that I did not cheat but he did not want to hear what I had to say. I got the results to my exam yesterday, and he gave me a 78 for answering everything correctly. Everything I wrote was based on the book, I wrote the exact same words. And he gave me a 78 for that? He even mentioned that incident in class. How humiliating. At the end of class I went to talk to him about my result and he did not even want to pay attention to me. He was just hurriedly walking away and when I asked if I could see my test paper (calmly mind you) he yelled at me. He even said, "Do you want me to go to the extent of calling out your classmate who told me?" and left. </p>

<p>A lot of my classmates are very competitive and like pulling each other down. And they themselves cheat yet they have the balls to accuse me of something I never did. I graduated as Valedictorian in high school and Cum Laude when I took my bachelor's degree. I have a clean record. And yet I'm apparently a cheater. What am I supposed to do now? I told my parents about this and they believe me. I think I might have to go the Dean but I'm afraid this might turn really ugly and that that professor might continue giving me low scores even if I don't deserve it since he might spite me for going to the Dean. Oh right, sorry if this is really long.</p>

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<p>I would go to the dean to get it on record who told the prof, then blackmail whoever did it. That’s pretty hilarious he gave you a 78. I mean, if he really was convinced you cheated why not a 0? So obviously he doesn’t have any proof and knows it. He might have it in for you already, so just keep going to the dean’s. The point of an honor code in med school is we’re supposed to trust our doctors, so understand why it’s so disconcerting. Either you did cheat or your classmate lied and on top of that you say they cheat regularly. Well fight back then.</p>

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<p>I asked about the 78, he said it was the “benefit of the doubt” </p>

<p>It seems to me though as if he was biased while grading my paper. It’s the first time I’ve been accused of doing this. And I’ve been getting the highest marks in that class (apologies if that sounded cocky), so I’m shocked as to why he would all of a sudden think that I would do that. I don’t want to let this go because I believe he’ll be grading my future papers with bias yet again.</p>

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<p>Obviously avoid future classes with this professor and don’t plan to ask him for a recommendation.</p>

<p>Make it clear that you’re prepared to fight back to assert your innocence. That 78 suggests that the professor does have some doubt. He may not want to pursue it aggressively if you fight.</p>

<p>The dean may be able to protect you against future retribution.</p>

<p>If you are allowed to have a legal representative, consider it seriously. Does your school have legal services insurance that offers free or inexpensive short-term help? Is there a legal clinic at a nearby law school?</p>

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<p>

That doesn’t help your case.</p>

<p>As others said, cheating usually means a ZERO on the exam and a referral to the academic integrity committee at your school. If you are innocent, talk to the Dean. There should be procedure in place to protect you from retribution while the matter is under investigation.</p>

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<p>@noimagination</p>

<p>Oh sorry. I forgot to mention that that’s how he likes us to answer the questions. So that’s why I was confident when I said it was based on the book, since I just followed his instructions. Anyway I’ll try going to the Dean and see what happens from there I guess.</p>