Low grades matter in college, the same as they did in high school. You needed a strong high school GPA to get into Arkansas Tech. You need a strong Tech GPA to get a good job.
That's not all there is to it, though. In high school, the worst consequence of a low grade was repeating a course. In college, you face much more severe consequences. Consistently low grades can even result in suspension.
Obviously, you need to get to class every day and study hard if you want to succeed at ATU. There are other things you can do to keep your GPA up as well, though. If you know how to work the ATU system effectively, it can make everything about college a lot easier, including earning good grades.
The Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team can show you how to deal with university bureaucracy and even use it to your advantage. We know who to call when you have a problem, what to say, and how to say it. We also know a number of useful tips and tricks for responding to the threat of academic sanctions.
You'll find a number of concrete examples of what we mean below. Before we get into that, though, it's important you know how to contact us for help. Call 888-535-3686 today, or take a little time now and tell us what kind of problem you're facing.
Academic Progress Standards at Arkansas Tech University
We have already mentioned that there are consequences for low grades at ATU. What exactly does that mean?
Like most colleges and universities, Arkansas Tech maintains an academic standing policy. That policy sets standards all students must meet, and it defines a series of increasingly serious sanctions you face any time you aren't meeting those standards.
- Good Standing: This is where you want to be as often as possible during your time at ATU. For an undergraduate, good standing means a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better. As long as you're keeping yours in this range, you don't have any sanctions to worry about.
- Academic Probation: A GPA below 2.0 results in academic probation. ATU allows you three full semesters to improve your GPA back to good standing levels as long as you earn term GPAs of at least 1.75.
- Academic Suspension: A term GPA below 1.75 while on probation or three consecutive semesters on probation without returning to good standing, and ATU suspends you entirely. Suspension means complete separation from the university. First suspensions last for one semester, and you must apply for readmission. Second suspensions last for a year.
Of course, if the university rejects your readmission application, you are essentially dismissed and ineligible to return to school.
Dealing With Academic Sanctions
If your suspension is related to extenuating circumstances, such as a long-term illness or a family emergency, you can file a formal appeal with the dean of your college. You must have concrete evidence of such circumstances, and you must explain this evidence at a hearing. Lento Law Firm attorneys are well-versed in such procedures and can make sure you're prepared for anything you might face.
What do you do if you don't have such circumstances to explain your deficiencies? What do you do if you're facing lesser sanctions, such as probation? The fact is that you're always better off keeping your GPA well above the suspension danger zone.
The attorneys at the Lento Law Firm have represented hundreds of students over the years, and along the way, we've picked up a number of strategies that can keep your grades up and your GPA out of trouble. For example,
- Any time you feel you're being mistreated in the classroom, you should report that mistreatment to your instructor's department head. You always deserve fair treatment, including fair evaluations. Instructors sometimes let their prejudices dictate their decisions, but you don't have to accept that.
- If you struggle in all or most of your courses, it could be that you're suffering from a learning disability. If that's the case, the law gives you the right to appropriate course accommodations, like extra time to complete assignments or access to special technology. Disability Services can get you tested and help you work with the university to drop low grades from your transcript.
- Every grade matters when you're trying to keep your GPA up. If an instructor has lowered your grade as the result of an academic misconduct allegation, you should always challenge their decisions. You have the right to file a formal appeal with the ATU Appeals Committee.
- Some faculty are willing to negotiate grades if you have a compelling argument. If you scored especially high on a cumulative final exam, for instance, you might try convincing an instructor that this demonstrates you mastered the material more than your grade reflects.
- The easiest sort of grade negotiation is to ask for extra credit or makeup work. In these instances, you're not asking for a favor but rather offering something concrete in return for a higher grade.
When you contact the Lento Law Firm, we'll visit with you and learn all the important aspects of your particular situation. Only then will we suggest a plan of attack. Our job doesn't end there, though. We'll also help you to execute that plan of attack, whether that involves drafting an appeal, coaching you in the art of negotiating with faculty, or simply finding out who you need to call to get help.
What Can the Lento Law Firm Do For You?
Your Arkansas Tech 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.
