You're smart, disciplined, and capable. Otherwise, you wouldn't have made it into Washington State in the first place. Here's the thing, though. Making it in isn't the same thing as graduating. WSU doesn't just give degrees away. All that hard work you put in to get to this point? It was just the beginning.
Plus, now you're on your own. Sure, it's great to have all this freedom and the chance to define who you want to be. You have to get yourself out of bed in the morning, though. You have to keep track of your own finances. You have to have the willpower to say “no” when someone invites you to a party the night before an exam. It's not easy to exercise that kind of self-control, especially in the beginning. Lots of students struggle early on, and once you get behind, it can be almost impossible to get caught up.
How do you make sure it doesn't happen to you? You find out how to get help when you need it.
The Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team is on your side and ready to step in any time you need them. What can an attorney do about academic progress issues? That will become clear as you keep reading. For now, all you need to know is that the Lento Law Firm Team has your back and will do whatever it takes to make sure your academic career stays on track.
Academic Progression at Washington State University
What does it take to succeed in college? Washington State's Academic Standing policy describes exactly what you have to do to make steady progress. The policy is strict, and there are serious consequences if you can't keep up.
- Good standing requires you to maintain both cumulative and term grade point averages above 2.0.
- If either of your grade point averages should fall, WSU immediately places you on Academic Notice. You must apply to continue your studies at the university, and your department has the authority to dismiss you from your major program.
- Should your cumulative grade point average fall below 2.0 after any three semesters, WSU places you on Academic Recess for at least two full semesters. You must apply for readmission, and your return is not guaranteed. Again, these three semesters do not have to be consecutive.
You should also know that academic sanctions at WSU are cumulative. That is, every time your GPA falls, it becomes harder to convince appeals committees to give you another chance. Ultimately, you can find yourself permanently dismissed from the university.
Dealing With Academic Sanctions
Washington State's Academic Standing policy is among the strictest you'll ever come across. Fail to meet requirements for just one semester, and you have to defend your right to remain at the school. The good news is that real faculty and administrators conduct academic reviews. That means if you are struggling, you can make your case in person, and that improves the likelihood you'll be allowed to continue.
Of course, as they say, the best defense is a good offense. If you can keep your GPA above that magic 2.0 number, you won't have to worry about academic sanctions in the first place. That can be easier said than done, but the attorneys at the Lento Law Firm know a number of useful strategies that can help. For instance,
- If extenuating circumstances are causing you to struggle, you can appeal directly to the dean of your school or college. A hospitalization or a family crisis can be grounds for more time to pull your grades up.
- If you consistently struggle to pass courses, you might consider visiting Disability Services. You could have a learning disability. If so, you may be entitled to course accommodations, like extra time to complete assignments. In fact, you may be able to drop low course grades and retake those courses with no penalty.
- If your low grades are the result of academic misconduct allegations, you have the right to challenge those allegations before an Academic Integrity Hearing Board.
- Some faculty are willing to negotiate grades. If you have a solid argument, like a final exam score that is especially high, you might be able to convince an instructor to raise your overall grade.
- Faculty are also sometimes open to assigning extra credit and makeup work. An extra lab assignment or an essay rewrite might be enough to get your GPA up.
- Any time you're experiencing classroom mistreatment, you should bring this to the attention of your instructor's department head. You may be entitled to appeal your grade.
Of course, should you receive an Academic Notice or find yourself placed on Academic Recess, the Student Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm are highly experienced at filing reinstatement and readmission petitions. They've helped hundreds of students salvage their academic careers. They know exactly what petition committees look for and what it takes to convince them you deserve to continue.
Premier Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team
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 today at 888-535-3686, or use our automated online form.
