You don't earn a college degree without hard work and discipline. You have to go to class; you have to study; it doesn't hurt to join a study group and visit your professors during office hours. If you're struggling to meet Florida Atlantic University's academic requirements, you should probably start by buckling down a bit more, attending fewer parties, or maybe finding a tutor.
What do you do when those aren't enough, though? The fact is, sometimes GPA is as much a reflection of what you know about the system as it is a reflection of what you know about your course subjects. Can you get along with grumpy professors? Do you know how to handle missed work if you get mono? Do you know who to talk to about dropping that course your ex is in?
If you've tried everything to get your grades up and you're still struggling, it might be time to turn to the attorneys at the Lento Law Firm. They've worked with hundreds of students just like you. As a result, they know the FAU system and how it works. Even better, they know a few tips and tricks to use to your advantage. Most important of all, they're on your side. They believe in your potential, and they're ready to do what it takes to help you realize it.
Academic Progression at FAU
Progress at FAU is defined by the school's Academic Standing policy. According to that policy, you must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better and, additionally, earn a 2.0 each term. Otherwise, you face a series of progressive sanctions.
- Probation: The most immediate consequence for low grades is Probation. In simple terms, Probation is a warning that if your GPA continues to fall, your chance at a degree may be in jeopardy. Probation doesn't have to be a serious situation if you are able to raise your GPA and return to Good standing. In fact, you can remain on Probation until you do that, provided you earn a 2.0 each term.
- Academic Suspension: Should your term GPA fall below 2.0 while you're on Probation, you are then suspended from the university. Suspension lasts for one full semester. Your return is automatic, but if, at any point after that, your term GPA should fall below 2.0, you are then dismissed from the university.
- Academic Dismissal: Academic dismissal lasts for a full academic year, and you must petition to return. If your petition is denied or if you gain readmission and then fail to meet the 2.0 term GPA mark, your dismissal becomes permanent.
Dealing With Academic Sanctions
If you're facing an academic sanction because of academic deficiencies, FAU does offer a petitions process. This process involves submitting a written description of any extenuating circumstances that may have caused you to struggle, along with documentation of those circumstances.
Of course, not all low grades are the result of extenuating circumstances. Luckily, the attorneys at the Lento Law Firm know many additional approaches to dealing with the threat of academic sanctions. For example,
- If your low grades are the result of an academic misconduct accusation, you have the right to challenge your instructor's decisions, including the severity of the sanction, by appealing to the instructor's department chair and, if that should fail, to the dean of your college.
- Low grades can be a sign of a deeper problem. If you consistently struggle to pass your courses, you could have an undiagnosed learning disability. Disability Services offers testing and can help you request course accommodations if necessary.
- Any time you're being mistreated in a course, you should report that mistreatment to the instructor's department head. You may be entitled to some form of grade relief.
- One of the easiest ways to bring your grades up is to ask instructors for extra credit or makeup work. Not every instructor offers such opportunities, but you're never any worse off for having asked.
- Faculty are also sometimes open to negotiating grades. If you have a strong argument, they may be willing to reconsider your work from the semester or your overall course grade.
The Lento Law Firm is highly experienced at filing readmission appeals if you should be suspended or dismissed from FAU. The fact is, though, that you're far better off if you never reach that point. A suspension or a dismissal can be a serious interruption in your studies. It throws your progress off track, and it can be hard to get back into the habit of college once you've been away. As a result, you're far better off contacting the Lento Law Firm the moment you see any decline in your GPA. The firm's attorneys can help you identify the problem, work with you to come up with a plan, and assist you in implementing that plan.
What Can the Lento Law Firm Do For You?
Students sometimes ask: how exactly is an attorney-advisor supposed to help me with academic issues? It's a fair question. It's not like you're on trial for shoplifting. You need help with your grades. That's normally a matter of studying harder or finding a tutor.
As the information on this page suggests, though, succeeding in college is often as much about dealing with bureaucracy as it is about writing papers and taking exams. No one knows more about bureaucracy than attorneys, and no one knows more about how to handle educational bureaucracy than the attorneys at the Lento Law Firm. That team was assembled specifically to handle student conduct and academic progress issues.
The Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team is on your side. They understand that no one is perfect, and they're committed to the idea that a few mistakes shouldn't keep you from earning your degree and going on to a successful career. They'll fight to make sure you're treated fairly and that you get all the rights you deserve. 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.
