College isn't like high school. Sure, both require you to take courses. You have to study, take exams, and write papers. But in high school, you had some help. Your parents were there to roust you out of bed every morning and to insist you study before you log on to Tik Tok. Now you're responsible for all of that, and the process of developing your own drive, ambition, and self-discipline isn't always an easy one.
Maybe that's why so many students struggle to meet academic progress requirements during the first several semesters of college. In fact, dozens of San Francisco State University students either drop out or wind up dismissed every year simply because they can't keep their grades up.
If you're struggling, you should know that there's help available. The attorneys at the Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team are dedicated to helping students just like you make it through college. Not sure how a lawyer can help with academics? That's OK. It'll become clear as you read on. For now, all you need to know is that the Lento Law Firm is on your side and ready to help with whatever problem you may be facing.
Academic Progression at San Francisco State University
Another important difference between high school and college? Your high school won't kick you out for low grades. SFSU definitely will. Here's what the San Francisco State Academic Standing policy has to say.
- Good Standing: To remain in Good standing and make steady progress toward your degree, you need to maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0.
- Probation: Any time your GPA falls below 2.0, you're placed on Academic Probation. During your first semester of probation, there are no requirements other than to work towards Good standing. If that takes more than one semester, though, you are required to seek advice before you register.
- Disqualification: You may remain on probation indefinitely so long as you keep a minimum term GPA based on the number of hours you've completed. Freshmen must earn at least a 1.5 to stay on Probation; Sophomores must earn a 1.7; Juniors must earn a 1.85; and Seniors must earn a 1.95. Anything below those numbers, and you're then Disqualified from registering for classes.
You can return to SFSU after Disqualification once you've achieved a 2.0 GPA. You do this by taking courses at other qualified institutions or through the school's Open University program.
Dealing With Academic Sanctions
It's always better to avoid dismissal if you can help it rather than having to earn your way back onto campus. It turns out there are a number of ways to do that, but most require that you understand the SFSU system and how to navigate it. That's where the Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team comes in. They're well-versed in all of the university's rules and procedures.
Here are just a few strategies for dealing with the threat of an academic sanction.
- If your academic deficiencies are the result of extenuating circumstances, like a hospitalization or a family emergency, you may be able to convince SFSU to give you more time to improve. The Standing policy notes that you can appeal any decision to your department chair or to the dean of your college.
- Consistently low grades can be a sign of a learning disability. Disability Services at SFSU offers testing and can work with you to get course accommodations into place. You may be entitled to extra time to complete assignments, for instance, or access to learning technology during exams. In addition, you can petition the school to drop your low grades and allow you to retake those courses.
- Low grades can also result from academic misconduct accusations. If your instructor decides you've cheated on an exam or committed some form of plagiarism, they have the authority to lower your grade on the assignment, lower your course grade, or even fail you outright. However, you have the right to challenge their decisions through the university's Student Conduct procedures.
- Again, it requires some skill, but you can sometimes negotiate with instructors for better grades. For example, you might be able to convince a professor to substitute your high final exam score for your relatively lower course grade.
- Some faculty also assign makeup and extra credit work, especially to students with borderline grades. You may have to accept an Incomplete while you finish this work, but an I doesn't count against your GPA the way a D or F does.
- You should report any and all classroom mistreatment to your instructor's department head. Such mistreatment is grounds for a grade appeal.
Of course, if worse comes to worst and you should wind up Disqualified, the attorneys at the Lento Law Firm are skilled at filing readmission petitions. They are used to working with admission committees and know what these committees look for in applications.
Ultimately, though, it's far better to avoid Disqualification if you can. Having to sit out a semester or two and take courses at another institution can be incredibly disruptive to your academic progress. It's important you don't wait til the situation reaches this point. Contact the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team at the very first sign of trouble.
What Can the Lento Law Firm 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. The Student Defense Team was assembled specifically to handle student conduct and academic progress issues.
The Lento Law Firm 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 Student Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm today at 888-535-3686, or use our automated online form.
