There's no getting around it: college is tough. You thought you were working as hard as you possibly could in high school, but it turns out you're going to have to turn it up a notch now that you're at Grand Valley State. Courses are more rigorous, and professors are demanding.
In fact, lots of students struggle to keep their GPAs up when they start. It's not easy making the transition to being on your own for the first time. And once you get behind, it can be hard to ever get caught up. You stress, you panic, and panic's not a good state to be in when you're writing papers and taking exams. Things go from bad to worse. What do you do?
You start by doubling your efforts. You make sure you get to class every single day. You study harder than before. Maybe you visit professors during office hours, or you try joining a study group. What do you do, though, if none of that's enough?
You contact the Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team. How is a lawyer supposed to help you with academics? You might be surprised, actually. College can be as much about navigating bureaucracy as it is about conjugating French verbs and memorizing the period table. No one knows more about bureaucracy than attorneys, and no attorneys know more about educational bureaucracy than the ones at the Lento Law Firm.
We shouldn't be your first call. Your first call should be to a tutor. If you've tried everything else, though, and nothing seems to work, we know some solutions you haven't considered. To find out more, call 888-535-3686 today or use our automated online form.
Academic Progression at Grand Valley State
Like all colleges and universities, Grand Valley State maintains an academic standing policy to help you stay on track toward your degree. That policy sets standards for “Good” standing, and it sets penalties for any time you're not meeting those standards. Good standing is actually fairly straightforward. It involves maintaining a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average. Any time you fall below that number, though, things can get complicated.
- Probation (PR): The first consequence of a low GPA is probation. If you're a freshman, you're placed on probation any time your GPA falls between 1.5 and 2.0. If you're a sophomore, you're placed on probation any time your GPA falls below 1.8 and 2.0. Note that juniors and seniors aren't eligible for probation at all. While on probation, you're required to complete an Academic Self Assessment and Plan. In addition, you must enroll in EDF 182—a study skills course—and meet with your academic advisor. What is your primary goal while on probation, though? Return to Good standing.
- Jeopardy of Dismissal (JD): If you're a junior or senior with a GPA below 2.0, you're placed on Jeopardy of Dismissal status. Likewise, freshmen and sophomores can be placed on JD status if their GPAs fall below the minimum cutoff (1.5 and 1.8, respectively). As the name implies, JD is one step removed from outright dismissal, and you have just one semester to avoid that fate. To do so, you must either return to Good standing or earn a 2.5 term GPA.
- Dismissal (DI): Should your grades remain low while on JD status, you're then subject to Dismissal. Dismissal lasts for a minimum of one academic year. At that point, you may submit a Petition to Return to the Academic Review Committee. To gain readmission, though, you need strong evidence of maturity and an “improved attitude toward academics,” plus a statement of support from your academic advisor.
Dealing With Academic Standing Decisions
In addition to the readmission process, Grand Valley State also offers an appeals process for those students who believe their GPA is somehow in error. The Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team can help you submit either of these documents if you need to. We know what kind of evidence the Academic Review Committee typically looks for, and we know how to make you look good on paper.
We also know some less formal ways to avoid academic sanctions, too, though, strategies that can actually help you avoid getting to the point of dismissal in the first place. For instance,
- If your academic deficiencies are the result of extenuating circumstances, like a serious illness or a family emergency, you can try petitioning the dean of your school or college for more time to improve.
- Classroom mistreatment is always grounds for a grade appeal. Report all such mistreatment to your instructors' department heads.
- Consistently low grades can be a sign of a learning disability. You might try visiting Disability Services to get tested. If it turns out you have a disability, you may be eligible for course accommodations like a note taker or extra time to complete assignments. You can also petition the university to drop your lowest grades and let you retake those courses with accommodations in place.
- Even if you don't have a disability, you're allowed to retake courses and replace lower grades with higher ones. Keep in mind that all your grades will appear on your transcript. However, only your new, higher grades are included in your GPA.
- Some low grades are the result of cheating and plagiarism allegations. Your instructors have the authority to lower both your assignment grades and your course grades if they suspect you of academic misconduct. However, you have the right to challenge your instructor's decisions.
- Some faculty are willing to assign makeup and extra credit work to students with borderline grades. An extra lab assignment or a paper rewrite could be enough to get you out of academic trouble.
- Faculty are also sometimes willing to negotiate for grades. For instance, if you've shown real improvement over the course of the semester, you might argue that you deserve a higher grade than the one you received.
The Lento Law Firm has been at this for a long time. We know all the tips and tricks for saving your GPA. We also know, though, that every situation is different. Before we do anything else, we'll talk with you and determine the root of your particular problem. Then, we'll work with you to come up with a plan, and we'll stand beside you as you put that plan into action.
What Can the Lento Law Firm Do for You?
You know what the statistics say about people who enter the workforce without a college degree. Your GVSU diploma is important, and if it's under threat, you can't afford to try and handle the problem by yourself. At the first sign of trouble, contact the Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team. Whether you need to know where to direct your appeals or you need to file a formal grade grievance, we'll work to get you back on track. We'll make sure you're treated fairly and that you have every possible chance to earn your degree.
Before you reach the point of probation, jeopardy of dismissal, or dismissal, call the Lento Law Firm today at 888-535-3686 or use our automated online form.
