College isn't like high school. For one thing, there's no one around to make sure you get up on time and get to classes. Courses are tougher, professors are more demanding, and it's up to you to decide if you should go out drinking on a Tuesday night or stay in and study. In simple terms, you're not just taking classes; you're learning to adult. Sometimes, these two, in combination, can take a toll on your GPA.
It's important you know, though, that when academic issues come up, you're not alone. Attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team have helped hundreds of students just like you to deal with the threat of probation, suspension, and dismissal. They know VCU and how it operates and can recommend strategies specific to your situation. Most important of all, they're on your side. They understand that college is tough, and they're here to give you the best possible chance to succeed.
Academic Progression at Virginia Commonwealth
Like all colleges and universities VCU maintains what's known as an academic standing policy. In simple terms, this policy sets benchmarks for academic progress, and it holds students accountable when they don't reach those benchmarks. The good news is sanctions are progressive. That is, you won't just get thrown out because you made a D in freshman comp. If you find yourself in a downward spiral, though, dismissal is certainly a possibility.
The main marker for standing at the university is cumulative GPA. As long as this remains above 2.0, you remain in “good” standing. Here's what happens if it falls below that number.
- First, you are placed in “warning” status. You are limited to registering for no more than 14 hours. More importantly, this warning status is noted on your transcript.
- If you have not risen back to the 2.0 level by the end of your warning semester, you are then placed on “probation.” In this case, you can register for just 13 hours, and again, a record of probation goes on your transcript. You can continue on probation until you return to good standing, so long as you make at least a 2.0 GPA each semester.
- If you fail to earn a 2.0 term GPA while on probation, you are then suspended from the university for a minimum of two semesters. You can be readmitted after this suspension, but the process is difficult (see below) and should you continue to struggle when you return, you can then be given a five-year suspension.
Dealing With Academic Standing Decisions
There are few formal options for challenging an academic standing decision at VCU. If you've been dismissed, you can apply for readmission after a year away. However, you must petition for readmission and convince the committee that you have improved and are capable of finding success if you're allowed to return. As part of this, you must take courses at another institution. However, those courses cannot be transferred to VCU for credit. In other words, you're required to pay for and attend classes and to do well in those classes, but ultimately they count for nothing.
Sounds like a lot of trouble. What can you do to avoid getting to the point of dismissal in the first place? How can you deal with warning and probation decisions? It turns out there are some informal strategies.
- If you've been mistreated in the classroom, you may be entitled to a grade revision. You should report any mistreatment to your instructor's department head or, failing that, to the dean of your school or college.
- Your dean may also be able to help if your academic deficiencies are the result of extenuating circumstances. Maybe you've been dealing with a family emergency, or you suffer from a long-term illness. You can always appeal for more time to improve.
- If you have a disability, you may be entitled to course modifications. If your instructor doesn't provide these, you can argue that you deserve a higher grade in the course. And, if you weren't yet diagnosed when you took the course, you can always petition to remove the grade from your transcript and retake the course.
- If you've been accused of academic misconduct and given a sanction, you have the right to challenge your instructor's decisions to a Decision Board or Sanction Review Board.
- You can sometimes negotiate directly with faculty for higher grades. If you have a compelling argument, you may be able to convince your professor to at least review your work from the semester.
- Some faculty are also willing to assign extra credit and makeup work, especially to students with borderline grade. You may have to accept an Incomplete while you finish this work, but an I doesn't count against your GPA.
Your advisor may not tell you about these options. They may not even know about some of them. Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team will. They'll help you come up with a plan, and they'll help you put that plan into action, whether that means working with you to gather evidence or coaching you in the art of negotiation.
Of course, if you are ultimately dismissed, Joseph D. Lento and his Team can also work with you to gain reinstatement. They know exactly what review committees look for in readmission packets and how to make you look your very best on paper.
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 navigating bureaucracy as it is about writing papers and taking exams. No one knows more about dealing with bureaucracy than attorneys, and no one knows more about dealing with educational bureaucracy than Joseph D. Lento and his Education 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.
