You did well in high school, or you wouldn't have been admitted to Kent State. If you haven't figured it out already, though, you soon will: college success takes a lot more work than high school success did. Most college courses are more demanding than high school courses, and college professors can make even the most fearsome high school teachers seem tame by comparison.
You may not want to think about what happens if your GPA should fall, but it's a fact of college life. Lots of students struggle, lots wind up with academic sanctions, and a fair number even wind up dismissed.
How do you make sure you're not one of them?
The Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team can help. The attorneys at the Lento Law Firm understand the Kent State system. They know what to do if you're struggling to get along with an instructor. They know how to file grade appeals and what it takes to prove your innocence if you're accused of cheating. They know who to talk to if you're dealing with a personal crisis and what to say. Most importantly, they're on your side. They know just how tough college can be, and they're committed to making your journey toward your degree as smooth as possible.
Academic Progression at Kent State University
In order to graduate from Kent State, you need a minimum 2.0 grade point average for all your coursework. The school's academic standing policy—a regular measure of your progress towards your degree—is designed to help you get there. Good standing means you're maintaining a cumulative GPA over 2.0. If you should begin to struggle at any point, the standing policy lets you know.
- Midterm Warnings: Kent State issues you a warning any time your midterm grades are below 2.0. The point is to let you know that you're struggling and that you might be headed toward a semester GPA below 2.0
- Semester Warnings: Likewise, you're issued a semester warning if your semester GPA falls below 2.0. You remain in Good standing as long as your cumulative GPA is above 2.0, but a warning serves as a reminder that you may need to work a bit harder to avoid a more serious sanction.
- Academic Probation: Should your overall GPA fall below 2.0 at any point, you are then placed on Academic Probation. As part of probation, you are limited to no more than fifteen hours of coursework a semester, and your college dean can add further restrictions to your hours. In addition, you are advised to limit your participation in social and extracurricular activities until you return to Good standing.
- Academic Dismissal: You can remain on probation until you return to Good standing, even if that takes multiple semesters, provided you earn a term GPA of at least 2.0 during those semesters. Anything lower than that number results in Academic Dismissal from the university. Dismissals last for a minimum of 12 months, and return is not guaranteed.
Appealing Dismissal
Dismissal from Kent State isn't necessarily permanent. There are two formal options for responding to a dismissal.
- Dismissal Appeal: If you can point to extenuating circumstances as the reason for your low grades, you can file an appeal with the school or college where you are enrolled. Appeals must provide an explanation, documentation of your situation, and a “detailed plan” for improvement. Successful appeals mean an additional semester of Academic Probation.
- Reinstatement Application: If you should wind up dismissed, you may apply for readmission after 12 months. However, you must be able to offer “convincing evidence” of future academic success. If Kent State rejects your application, your dismissal then becomes permanent.
If you've already been dismissed from Kent State, the Student Defense Team attorneys at the Lento Law Firm may be able to help. They've filed hundreds of dismissal appeals and reinstatement applications. They know exactly what committees look for and can help you gather evidence and draft a document that puts you in the very best light.
Dealing With Academic Sanctions
Of course, responding to a dismissal can take an enormous amount of time and energy. You're always better off if you can avoid dismissal in the first place. The attorneys at the Lento Law Firm also know several tips and tricks for doing that.
- You should always let your college dean know if you are suffering mistreatment in the classroom. If an instructor is treating you unfairly, you may be entitled to a better grade.
- Low grades are sometimes an indication of a learning disability. If you consistently struggle to pass your courses, you should consider visiting with Disability Services. They can diagnose you and work with you to implement necessary course modifications. In fact, you may be able to drop low grades and retake those courses with no penalty.
- Academic misconduct allegations can also lower your grades. If your instructor believes you've cheated on an exam or plagiarized a paper, they have the power to lower both assignment and course grades. However, you can appeal their decisions through the school's Academic Hearing Panel Process.
- Some faculty are willing to negotiate grades. This might be as simple as asking for makeup or extra credit assignments. Or you might try a more sophisticated argument. For example, if your final exam score was especially high, you might ask your instructor to use it in place of your course grade.
No matter what situation you're facing, you can count on the Student Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm to help you design a response and to work with you to get back on track.
What Can the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team Do for You?
Students sometimes ask: How exactly is an attorney 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 Student Defense 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 Team today at 888-535-3686 or use our automated online form.
