If there was any justice in the world, you could rest now that you've gotten into Case Western Reserve. After all, you've demonstrated you're smart and hard-working. At this point, you should be able to take things a little easier and explore subjects at your pace as you get ready to enter the workforce.
Unfortunately, education doesn't work like that. What is your reward for making it this far? More hard work. In fact, as a student at a top-tier school, making progress from semester to semester is going to be more difficult than ever.
None of us is perfect, though, and sooner or later, you're going to run into a roadblock that could potentially keep you from graduating. Maybe it's a class that's just too early in the morning to think straight. Maybe it's a class where the instructor's accent is so thick you have no idea what's going on.
National Student Defense attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento wants to make sure that you continue to move forward no matter what roadblocks you encounter. He built his career helping college and university students get the rights and the fair treatment they deserve. He knows all the processes and procedures at Case Western for challenging academic standing decisions, and he's ready to put that knowledge to work for you.
Academic Progression at Case Western Reserve
Moving forward at Case Western requires you to meet two standards each and every semester. First, you must earn a minimum 2.0 grade point average each term. Second, you must successfully complete a minimum number of credit hours. During your first semester, that number is 9. After that, it's 12. In other words, if you sign up for a full load, you need to make sure you don't drop or fail more than one class.
Failure to meet either of these standards typically means Academic Probation for a semester. While you're on probation, you must review your course schedule with a navigator in the Office of Student Advancement before the end of the drop/add period. In addition, you become ineligible to serve as an officer or chair of any committee or organization. You are also prohibited from participating in any intercollegiate activity.
The more serious aspect of probation, though, is that it gives you just one semester to get your GPA back up. If you're still struggling at the end of this semester, you are then subject to separation from the university. You can also be dismissed for earning a GPA less than 1.0 in any given semester or for failing to complete at least nine hours.
You can be readmitted to the university after a two-semester separation. However, you must first submit a petition, and your return is not guaranteed. Even if you are able to re-enroll, your separation goes on your transcript. Finally, should you continue to struggle, and earn a second separation, that separation is permanent.
Dealing With Academic Standing Decisions
At Case Western, all academic standing decisions are made by the Academic Standing Board. The good news is these decisions are not automatic. While your record for a semester may tend to suggest you should be put on probation or dismissed, the Board closely examines any change in status before putting it into effect. This is true not just of dismissal decisions but of probation decisions as well.
Any time you are being considered for probation, you have the right to submit a statement explaining your situation and why your record for the semester does not accurately reflect your ability. Based on this statement, the Board has the power to allow you to continue in good standing.
The same process is available to you if you're facing separation. In fact, in these cases, students are directly asked to submit statements about any mitigating factors that may have caused their academic deficiencies. Again, the Board has the authority to allow you another semester on probation rather than dismiss you.
In addition to these formal methods of challenging a dismissal decision, there are other, less formal options for avoiding probation and dismissal.
- For example, if an instructor has mistreated you in any way, you have the right to complain to that instructor's department head or, if necessary, to the dean of your school or college. You may be entitled to some form of grade relief in such instances.
- Faculty sometimes make mistakes in entering scores or in calculating final grades, especially if they're using some software package to do it. It's always a good idea to keep track of your own grades so you can raise questions if your grade isn't quite as high as you expect.
- You can always try negotiating with an instructor for a higher score or a higher course grade, especially if you have a compelling case for why you deserve it. For instance, you might try arguing that your overall progress during a semester deserves consideration, or you might suggest that a professor use your final exam score as your grade in the course since it demonstrates you mastered the material.
- There's also the old standby of asking for extra-credit or makeup assignments. Some professors are willing to consider such requests, especially if your grade is borderline.
Joseph D. Lento knows all the ways to forestall probation and dismissal, both formal and informal. He even knows a few Case Western may not be aware of. He can help you make a plan for moving forward, and he can help you put that plan into action. For example, he can work with you to draft an appeal statement or coach you in negotiating with faculty. Of course, if the worst should happen and you should be dismissed from the university, he also has experience in working on readmission petitions.
Premier Education Attorney-Advisor
Students are sometimes surprised to learn that an attorney might be able to help them with an academic problem. The fact is, college success is often as much about navigating bureaucracy as it is about taking exams and writing papers. No one knows more about dealing with bureaucracy than attorneys, and no one knows more about dealing with educational bureaucracy than Joseph D. Lento. He specializes in student conduct and academic progress issues, he knows how the various systems at Case Western operate, and he's comfortable talking with faculty and administrators.
More important than anything else, though, Joseph D. Lento is on your side. He understands that no one is perfect, and he doesn't think that a few mistakes should keep you from earning your degree and going on to a successful career.
You've worked hard to get to this point. Don't let that hard work go to waste. To find out more about how you can fight dismissal, contact the Lento Law Firm today at 888-555-3686, or use our automated online form.
