You work hard as a student. You make sure you're up in time to get to class every day. Maybe you haven't shaved, but you're there. You study every night. Well, most nights. You visit professors during office hours. You've joined a study group.
Sometimes, even all that isn't enough to keep your GPA up. Sometimes, life intervenes, and life can disrupt even your best academic efforts. Maybe you're in a car accident that keeps you out of class for a while. Maybe you go through a bad breakup and can't make it to calculus class because your ex takes it, too. Maybe you get snowed in during Christmas vacation and can't make it back to school to start the spring semester. These things happen. To all of us.
The Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team can help. We cannot take your exams for you or write your papers, and we won't call to get you out of bed in the morning. Lawyers are pretty good at dealing with bureaucracy, though, and the lawyers who work for the Lento Law Firm work primarily in the arena of educational bureaucracy. To put it in simple terms, we know who to call when you have a problem, and we know what to say. We've also been at this long enough to know some pretty useful tips and tricks to keep your GPA up.
If you're struggling to meet Cal State San Marcos's academic standing policy, give us a call. Dial 888-535-3686 to find out how we can help, or take a little time now and tell us about your situation.
Academic Progression at Cal State San Marcos
The first thing you need to know as a student at CSSM is how to follow the university's academic standing policy. According to that policy, you must earn a minimum 2.0 grade point average to remain in good standing. There are honors to be had for higher GPAs, but good standing keeps you eligible for registration every semester. Of course, this begs the question: what happens if your GPA should fall below that number? That depends on just how far it falls.
- Academic Probation: When your cumulative GPA falls below 2.0, CSSM places you on academic probation. As the name implies, this is a warning status. Fortunately, there are no extra requirements for you to complete while on probation. After all, you have enough to worry about. You need to work your way back into good standing. Failing that, you need to keep your GPA from falling further in order to continue at CSSM.
- Academic Disqualification: "Disqualification" means removal from the university. You are no longer allowed to register for or attend classes. Disqualification is based on a sliding scale that depends on how many hours you've completed. Importantly, though, you cannot be dismissed unless you are currently serving probation or your GPA falls below 1.0.
- Freshmen on probation
- n are dismissed once their GPA falls below 1.5.
- Sophomores are dismissed for a GPA below 1.7
- Juniors are dismissed for a GPA below 1.85.
- Seniors are dismissed for a GPA below 1.95.
You can apply for readmission following a disqualification. However, you must provide "compelling evidence" that you can successfully complete your degree program. In most cases, this means attending another school and earning a satisfactory GPA there. Otherwise, disqualification is permanent.
Dealing With Academic Standing Decisions
If you've reached the point of disqualification, the attorneys at the Lento Law Firm can work with you to get your academic career back on track. We know what counts as evidence with the CSSM readmission committee, and we're experienced helping students draft appeals.
However, if you're simply worried that you might be facing probation or dismissal soon, we may be able to help you avoid these sanctions altogether. For example,
- Extenuating circumstances can be grounds for avoiding a sanction. If you've been sick for much of the semester, for instance, or have been dealing with a serious bout of depression, you can petition your school or college dean for more time to improve.
- If you consistently struggle in most of your courses, it could be that you have an undiagnosed learning disability like ADD or ADHD. You have the right to get tested, and if you have a disability, you have the right to appropriate course accommodations like extra time to complete assignments. The Lento Law Firm attorney can also petition the university to clean up your transcript and allow you to retake classes.
- If your GPA has fallen as a result of grades from courses taken at other universities, you can ask CSSM to drop those grades from consideration and retake them at CSSM.
- You have the right to appeal any grade that's been lowered as a result of a cheating or plagiarism allegation. An official challenge could be enough to get your grade up and, thus, your GPA.
- Some instructors are willing to assign makeup and extra credit work. You will likely have to ask for such opportunities, but this can be a quick way to raise your GPA.
- Sometimes, a compelling argument is enough to raise a grade. If, for example, you did exceptionally well on your final exam, you could ask your professor to use that grade as your course grade.
- You can also ask instructors for makeup and extra credit work. This is an especially good strategy if your grade is already borderline.
- If an instructor has mistreated you in any way, you should report that immediately to the instructor's department head. You may be entitled to some form of grade adjustment.
It's not always easy to know which strategy will work best in your particular situation. That's why the first thing the Lento Law Firm attorney will do when you contact them is go over what's happened and consider all the possible ways to deal with it. Only then will they work with you to come up with a plan. Of course, you can also count on them to stand beside you as you put that plan into action.
What Can the Lento Law Firm Do For You?
Your CSSM diploma is far more than just a piece of paper. It's your avenue to a successful career. If it's under threat, 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 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.
