It takes a lot of hard work to get into college. You have to study hard and join all kinds of after-school clubs. You have to prep for the SATs. But you did it. You put in the effort; you sacrificed your time.
What did you get for your troubles? The chance to do more of the same. Of course, college can be the best four years of your life. It's a chance to explore your passions and interests, a chance to meet new people, and a chance to define your own identity. It's no cakewalk, though. Classes are tough, and most professors make even the strictest high school teachers seem mild by comparison.
So, enjoy your time at Kennesaw State. Make the most of it. If you struggle a little every once in a while, though, remember that's par for the course. And know that there's help out there when you need it. Attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and his Student Defense Team have represented hundreds of students just like you. They know the KSU system, and when you're in trouble, they know how to use that system to your advantage. College is a time when you discover your independence, but it's nice to know there's a safety net while you're doing it.
Academic Progression at Kennesaw State University
Let's start with the basics: what does it take to be successful in college? It turns out Kennesaw State actually defines success pretty clearly. Like most schools, KSU has an Academic Standing Policy. That policy lets you know exactly what you need to do to continue to make steady progress toward your degree.
- “Good” standing is defined as maintaining a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0.
- Should your GPA fall below 2.0, KSU places you on Academic Probation. While on probation, you are limited to 13 hours per semester. Your main goal while on probation, though, should be to return to Good standing. As long as you earn a 2.0-term GPA, you can take up to three semesters to do that. If your term GPA dips below that number, though, or you still haven't reached a cumulative 2.0 after three semesters, you are then subject to dismissal from the university.
- Dismissal—at least a first dismissal—isn't necessarily permanent. You can apply for readmission after one semester. Of course, readmission is not guaranteed. It depends on the quality of your application, and that requires a strong argument and compelling evidence of your ability to improve. In addition, you should keep in mind that if you continue to struggle when you return, you'll be given a second dismissal, which lasts for at least one full academic year. Third dismissals are permanent.
Dealing With Academic Standing Decisions
If you're facing dismissal at Kennesaw State, you can file an appeal for immediate reinstatement. However, appeals are based on extenuating circumstances. That is, you must be able to prove that you suffered some hardship—a serious illness, for example, or a family emergency. In addition to providing documentation of this hardship, you must include a personal statement explaining your situation and an academic plan for success.
What do you do, though, if you can't point to specific mitigating circumstances? For that matter, what do you do if you're facing a lesser sanction, like probation?
Your first response to any academic progress issues should be to seek academic help. You might visit with your instructor, seek out a tutor, or join a study group. Some issues, though, can't be fixed by studying harder. Sometimes the solution involves figuring out how to navigate your school's bureaucracy. When that's the case, Joseph D. Lento and his team know what to do.
- Often, the quickest way to raise your GPA is simply to ask your instructor for extra credit or makeup assignments.
- You might also try negotiating with your instructors. If you have a strong argument—like the fact that you improved significantly over the course of the semester—you may be able to convince a professor to reconsider your final grade.
- If you are consistently struggling to pass your classes, you might consider visiting the Disability Services office. You might have an undiagnosed learning disability. Such a disability could entitle you to course accommodations. You might even be able to drop low grades from your GPA and retake those courses.
- Your instructor has the authority to charge you with cheating, plagiarism, and other forms of academic misconduct. They're also the judge and jury and decide what penalty you should be given. Luckily, you have the right to challenge their decisions through a formal hearing.
- Any time you feel you're being mistreated in the classroom, you have the right to raise your concerns to your instructor's department head or, failing that, the dean of your school or college.
Putting these strategies into action is sometimes easier said than done. It's one thing to say you're going to try negotiating with a professor. It's another to collect evidence and present your argument. Whatever your situation, Joseph D. Lento and his team can help you map out a plan and follow it through.
Premier Education Attorney-Advisor, Joseph D. Lento
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 Joseph D. Lento and his Educational Law team. That team was assembled specifically to handle student conduct and academic progress issues.
Joseph D. Lento and his team are 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.
