There's no getting around it: college is tough. It's not just that courses are difficult or that professors can be demanding. You're on your own for the first time. There's no one to get you up in the morning, no one to ground you if you decide not to study in the evenings. You might think of it in these terms: you've raised your degree of difficulty, and at the same time, you've decided to start working without a net. That can be a fatal combination. It's no wonder that lots of bright-eyed, eager freshmen don't make it past the first semester or two.
The Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team wants to make sure you do. The attorneys at the Lento Law Firm know the Cal State LA system and how it operates. They know who to talk to when you run into a problem, and they know exactly what to say. They know tips and tricks for keeping your GPA up. More important than what they know, though, they're on your side. They believe in your abilities, and they want to help you reach your goals.
Academic Progression at Cal State, Los Angeles
Parents and teachers are full of all sorts of advice about how to succeed in college—developing a sense of discipline, learning to play the “university game,” choosing your course schedule carefully each semester. That's all good advice, but the truth is that making progress at Cal State, LA, comes down to something far simpler: meeting the university's requirements for good academic standing.
To remain in good standing, you must earn a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average. That's it. That's all that's required. Of course, meeting that requirement is often easier said than done. That's where all that advice comes in. Let's cut to the chase, though: What happens if you don't meet that magic number?
- Academic Status: Any time your GPA falls below 2.0, CSLA places you on Academic Status. You might think of this as probation. You're allowed to continue as a student at CSLA, but if you don't improve, you can be disqualified from attending the university. Luckily, there are no special requirements while on Academic Status, no extra courses to take, or online seminars to complete. And, you can remain on Academic Status as long as it takes to return to Good standing, provided you're meeting a second set of minimum GPA requirements in line with your class standing.
- Freshman must keep their GPAs above 1.5.
- Sophomores must keep their GPAs above 1.7.
- Juniors must keep their GPAs above 1.85.
- Seniors must keep their GPAs above 1.95.
- Academic Disqualification: If, while on Academic Status, your GPA should fall below this minimum number, you then face disqualification. In simple terms, you're no longer allowed to take courses at the university.
At CSLA, disqualification isn't necessarily a permanent condition. In fact, you can apply for Special Academic Status immediately. This usually involves meeting with an advisor and working out an improvement plan. If your application is successful, you can continue at CSLA as long as you meet the conditions of that plan.
If that doesn't work, you can petition for reinstatement to the university after a semester away. However, readmission is not guaranteed. You need a strong application. The Student Defense Team attorneys at the Lento Law Firm know exactly what readmission committees look for on these applications. They can help you gather evidence of your academic abilities and make sure your application puts you in the very best light.
Dealing With Academic Sanctions
Applying for Special Academic Status or readmission can be a useful process if you find yourself Disqualified. Ultimately, though, you're always better off if you can avoid reaching the point of disqualification in the first place. The Student Defense Team attorneys at the Lento Law Firm know a number of strategies for staying out of academic distress. For instance,
- You can appeal directly to your school or college dean any time you have extenuating circumstances that may be interfering with your studies. A serious illness or a family emergency might entitle you to more time to improve.
- Likewise, you should let your dean know any time you're being mistreated in the classroom. If an instructor is treating you unfairly, you may deserve a higher grade than the one you were given.
- If you have a learning disability, you may need course accommodations, such as extra time to complete assignments. If you don't receive those accommodations, you can request to retake a course, even if you didn't know you had a disability when you originally took it.
- Your instructors have the power to lower your grades if they believe you've committed some form of academic misconduct, like plagiarism or cheating. However, you have the right to appeal their decisions using the university's Student Grievance Procedures.
- You can always ask an instructor for makeup or extra credit work. Not every faculty member is willing to make such assignments, but if they are, an extra lab or a re-written essay could be an easy way to get your GPA above 2.0.
- You might also try negotiating with faculty, especially if you have a compelling argument as to why your grade should be higher. If you showed improvement over the semester, for instance, you might try convincing your instructor that you deserve a grade that reflects where you ended up rather than where you started.
While you do have options when it comes to avoiding an academic sanction, it's not always easy to know which one is right for your particular situation. The attorneys at the Lento Law Firm can help you come up with a plan, and they'll work with you to put that plan into action.
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 attorneys at the Lento Law Firm. That team was assembled specifically to handle student conduct and academic progress issues.
The Lento Law Firm Student Defense 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 Team today at 888-535-3686 or use our automated online form.
