This study explored the experiences of former first-year students who had been institutionally dismissed from an undergraduate health program in a large Canadian university. Using a qualitative narrative inquiry, 20 individual interviews were conducted with 10 former students. Challenges connecting with faculty, large classes, and academic under-preparedness contributed to these commuter students' involuntary departure. The university's student support resources were under-utilized. Lessons learned have emphasized the role that an institution has in supporting its students.