Congratulations on making it into Brandeis University. That's no small feat. You're work's just beginning, though. Over your four years, you're going to face lots of difficult classes taught by challenging professors.
No problem, right? You got in, so you must be bright and hard-working. Here's the thing: a lot can happen over four years. Sure, you can handle tough exams and lengthy paper assignments, but can you handle those things and a family crisis? How will you deal with homework if you're in a car accident and have to spend some time in the hospital?
Like all schools, Brandeis has a strict academic standing policy. If you can't meet the requirements, you can find yourself on probation or dismissed from the school entirely. Joseph D. Lento wants to make sure that doesn't happen. Joseph D. Lento is a National Student Defense attorney-advisor who believes the ordinary bumps and bruises of life shouldn't stand in the way of you getting your degree. Joseph D. Lento has the knowledge and experience to protect your rights and get you the justice you deserve.
Academic Progression at Brandeis University
Academic standing can be a bit confusing at Brandeis, and you can be forgiven if you haven't yet mastered it, even as a senior. Basically, standing involves an intersection of three factors:
- How many grades you receive below C- in any given semester
- Your semester GPA
- Your cumulative GPA
Here's how it all works.
- As long as you have a 2.2 cumulative GPA, a 2.0 semester GPA, and nothing below a C-, you're golden.
- If either your cumulative or semester GPA should fall below those numbers, you're placed on an advising alert.
- Ds can get you into trouble. How much trouble depends on the other two factors. 1 D and a semester GPA over 2.0, for instance, means an “advising alert.” 1 D and a semester GPA under 2.0, on the other hand, means “probation.”
- Finally, Fs can get you into even bigger trouble. Two Fs, or even an F and a D, mean dismissal from the university.
An advising alert isn't a big deal. It simply means you and your advisor should be aware that you're struggling academically.
Probation is more serious. There aren't any repercussions in terms of registration or participation in extracurricular activities. Even your financial aid remains safe. However, should you continue to struggle while on probation, you can be dismissed the next semester.
There is a process for readmission following dismissal. However, you must be away from the university for at least one academic year, and your return is not guaranteed. You must be able to show evidence of both “sustained and productive activity” during your absence and a “serious academic purpose.”
Dealing With Academic Standing Decisions
Brandeis evaluates academic progress at the end of every semester. Decisions are based exclusively on grades and grade point averages. In addition, the school offers no formal means of challenging standing decisions.
However, there are ways to respond to the threat of academic sanctions. For instance,
- If your academic deficiencies are the result of extenuating circumstances, you can appeal directly to the dean of your school or college. Your situation may warrant the additional time to meet expectations.
- If a low grade is the result of unfair treatment, you have the right to report that treatment to the instructor's department head or, failing that, the dean of your college.
- If a low grade is the result of an academic misconduct sanction, you can appeal your instructor's decisions through a Student Conduct Board hearing.
- Sometimes a low grade is the result of a simple grading error or miscalculation. If you keep records of your grades and copies of your work, it's a relatively straightforward matter to explain the situation to an instructor.
- A few faculty are open to grade negotiation. This might be as simple as asking them to reevaluate your work. Other effective arguments include pointing out that your high final exam score indicates you mastered the course material enough to pass or suggesting that a low grade on a single assignment shouldn't outweigh the other good work you did during the semester.
- Some professors are still open to the possibility of extra credit or makeup work. This is especially true if your grade is already borderline. You may need to take an Incomplete while you finish these assignments, but an I is ignored in figuring your GPA, while an F definitely counts against you.
Joseph D. Lento is familiar with procedures and Brandeis and can advise you on these and other options. He can help you work out a plan for responding to any sort of academic dismissal and can help you put that plan into practice. He knows who to talk to and what kinds of arguments work best. He's experienced in gathering evidence and filing appeals. And should you find yourself dismissed, he can also advise you about how to build a solid resume to support your readmission petition.
Premier Education Attorney-Advisor, Joseph D. Lento
Students sometimes ask: how can an attorney possibly help me deal with an academic problem? It's a fair question. After all, it's not like Joseph D. Lento can attend classes for you or take your exams.
The thing 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. He built his practice handling student conduct and academic progress issues.
More important than anything else, Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law 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.
