We know what you're thinking: "How exactly is a law firm supposed to help me with academics? It's not like I've been accused of shoplifting. I'm having trouble wrapping my head around calculus."
Let's be clear: the Lento Law Firm can't help you grasp differential equations. What we can do, though, is show you a number of tips and tricks for making it easier to get better grades. Our Education Law Team has been at this for a while, and we know exactly how ASU – Tempe's system works.
Having trouble getting along with an instructor? We know which office to call. Think your low grades might be the result of undiagnosed ADD? We can make sure you get proper testing. Lawyers understand bureaucracy. It's practically a whole semester at law school. Lento Law Firm attorneys focus specifically on educational bureaucracy. No matter what problem you may be facing, we know who to call, what to say, and how to say it. Most importantly, we're always on your side and ready to use every available resource to help you meet your education goals.
We'll get into some of those “tips and tricks” below. For now, know that any time you're struggling with your grades, you owe it to yourself to find out how we can help. Call 888-535-3686 today to find out more, or take a little time now and tell us what kind of problem you're facing.
Academic Progress Standards at Arizona State University - Tempe
One of your first jobs as a student at ASU – Tempe is to figure out just what's expected of you academically. You can find that information in the university's academic standing policy. This document explains what you need to keep yourself in "good standing," as well as what happens if you can't manage to do that.
- Good Standing: This is where you want to be throughout your college career. It means you're making steady progress toward your degree, and you don't have to worry about the threat of dismissal. ASU – Tempe defines good standing as a cumulative grade point average of no less than 2.0.
- Academic Warning: The university understands that incoming freshmen sometimes need time to adjust to college life. As a result, if you should fall out of good standing after your first semester, you're issued an academic warning. You can continue to register, but the university wants to remind you that your focus should be on academics.
- Academic Probation: If your cumulative GPA falls below 2.0 at any time after your first semester, ASU - Tempe places you on academic probation. You can still continue to register, and there are no extra requirements for you while on probation. However, it's important you return to good standing as quickly as possible to avoid worse sanctions.
- Continued Probation: As long as you keep your term GPA above 2.0, you can remain on probation as long as it takes to return to good standing.
- Academic Disqualification: However, if your term GPA falls below 2.0 while on probation, you then face disqualification from the university. Disqualification means total separation from ASU – Tempe, and you cannot register or attend classes.
ASU – Tempe does offer a readmission process if you've been disqualified. However, you must sit out for at least one term before you apply for readmission. In addition, readmission is not automatic. You must be able to show your academic potential, which usually involves taking courses at another institution and earning a satisfactory GPA.
Dealing With Academic Sanctions
ASU – Tempe's standing policy doesn't mention any sort of appeals process. Standing decisions are made at the end of both the fall and spring semesters, and they're based entirely on your grade point average. Your GPA is either above 2.0 or it isn't.
Even so, there are ways to respond to the threat of an academic sanction if you know how to use the university system effectively. For example,
- If you've been dealing with extenuating circumstances, such as a serious bout of depression or a long-term illness, you can appeal directly to the dean of your college for more time to improve.
- A disability entitles you to necessary course accommodations. If you should discover you have such a disability, the effect of these accommodations is retroactive. That is, you can petition the university to drop low grades from your GPA and let you retake courses without penalty.
- If an instructor accuses you of academic misconduct – cheating or plagiarism – you should always challenge those accusations. Your instructor has the burden of proving you committed such misconduct, and you want to make sure that you're given a fair sanction and your GPA doesn't suffer.
- Some faculty are willing to assign makeup and extra credit work, especially to students with borderline grades. Often, an extra lab assignment or a paper rewrite can be enough to raise your grade and, thus, your GPA.
- Faculty are also sometimes willing to negotiate grades if you have a compelling argument. If your grade on a cumulative final exam is especially high, for instance, you might try suggesting that it merits a higher course grade.
- Finally, you always deserve fair treatment in the classroom. Any time you feel an instructor is mistreating you—even if they're a fully tenured professor—you should report that to their department head. You may be entitled to some form of grade relief.
The moment you contact the Lento Law Firm, an attorney will sit down with you and go over your particular situation. No solution is right for everyone. Once they've come up with a plan that works for you, they'll help you to implement it, whether that means coaching you on how to negotiate with faculty or filing a formal appeal on your behalf.
Of course, if you should wind up disqualified, we can also work with you to put together a winning readmissions package that highlights your strengths as a student.
What Can the Lento Law Firm Do For You?
Your ASU - Tempe diploma is far more than just a piece of paper. It's your avenue to a successful career. If it's under threat for any reason, you can't afford to try and handle the problem by yourself. University processes and procedures can be complex and difficult to navigate, and often, you will find the system is stacked against you. You need the very best help you can get, someone who is in your corner and ready to fight on your behalf.
The Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team has helped hundreds of students, just like you, respond to academic progress issues and make it to graduation. What can we do for you? To find out, call us today at 888-535-3686 or use our online form.
