College isn't just about going to classes and studying. It's a chance to establish your independence, make new friends, and figure out who you want to be. The fact is, though, that before you can enjoy all those opportunities for growth, you have to first succeed academically.
Keeping your GPA up is sometimes easier said than done. You're bright, dedicated, and hard-working, or you wouldn't have made it into Auburn in the first place. But sometimes, brains and discipline aren't enough to get you through. What do you do, for instance, when you find yourself enrolled in a course with your ex? How do you deal with a professor who just doesn't seem to like you? Who do you talk to when you need to take time off because of a death in the family?
Studying and going to class—those responsibilities are on you. For the rest, the Lento Law Firm and their Student Defense Team are here to help. How is a lawyer supposed to help you succeed at college? The attorneys at the Lento Law Firm know the Auburn system inside and out. They've been working with students for many years, and they know all the tips and tricks to help you navigate university bureaucracy. Most importantly, they're dedicated to protecting your rights and ensuring that you get every opportunity to earn your education. If you're struggling, and if finding a tutor and joining a study group haven't helped, you owe it to yourself to find out what the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team can do for you.
Academic Progression at Auburn University
When it comes down to it, college success is about meeting your school's Academic Standing policy. That policy sets clear marks you must meet in order to keep moving forward at a steady pace, and it establishes clear consequences for anyone who can't meet those marks. Good standing at Auburn is pretty straightforward at Auburn. You need to maintain at least a 2.0 cumulative grade point average.
If your grades should fall, though, things can quickly get complicated.
- Warning: Any time your GPA falls below the 2.0 mark, you're issued an Academic Warning. There are no special requirements while on Warning status, no special courses, or required meetings with your advisor. The only thing you need to worry about is raising your GPA and returning to Good standing. If you can't do that, you face more serious consequences.
- Suspension: You have one full semester of Warning status. After that, you can be subject to suspension if your term GPA is below 2.2 and your cumulative GPA is below a number based on your academic status.
- Freshmen need a cumulative GPA above 1.5.
- Sophomores need a cumulative GPA above 1.8.
- Juniors need a cumulative GPA above 1.9.
- Seniors need a cumulative GPA above 1.97.
Return from suspension is automatic. However, you return to school on Warning status, and a second Suspension lasts for a full year. Should you continue to struggle following a second Suspension, you are then permanently dismissed from the university.
Dealing With Academic Sanctions
Auburn does have an appeals process for students who have been Suspended. You must file your appeal early in the following semester, and appeals are typically only granted to students with extenuating circumstances.
What do you do if you can't point to hospitalization or a family emergency as the cause of your academic deficiencies? For that matter, what do you do to avoid an Academic Warning?
It turns out a low GPA can be the result of a number of factors, many of which have nothing to do with how much or hard you may be studying. Your advisor may not tell you, but there are some important strategies it's useful to know if you're looking to avoid an academic sanction.
- Any classroom mistreatment can be grounds for a grade appeal. You should report any such mistreatment to your instructor's department head.
- Low grades can also be the result of academic misconduct allegations. If your instructor believes you cheated on an exam, they have the authority to lower your grade on the assignment or lower your grade in the course. They can even fail you. However, you can challenge an accusation to the Academic Honesty Committee. In fact, even if you are guilty of the offense, you can still challenge the severity of the sanction.
- If you consistently earn low scores, you might consider the possibility that you have a learning disability. Once you have a diagnosis, you may be entitled to course accommodations. You may even be able to petition the school to drop low course grades from your GPA.
- It is always worthwhile asking your instructors for extra credit or makeup assignments. Some are open to this possibility; others are not. This can be an easy way to raise a grade point if you have the opportunity.
- Some faculty will negotiate grades. Perhaps you didn't pass a course, but you showed real improvement. You might argue that this improvement merits a D rather than an F.
Whatever your situation, you can count on the attorneys at the Lento Law Firm to know the best options. They'll not only help you develop a plan, but they'll work with you to implement that plan.
What Can the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team 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 Student Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm. That team was assembled specifically to handle student conduct and academic progress issues.
The Lento Law Firm 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.
