What does it take to succeed at college? Simple answer: keep your grades up. How do you do that? You're probably thinking about things like studying, going to class, visiting professors during office hours, and joining study groups. You're not wrong. All those things are important. They're not always enough, though. Lots of students have found out the hard way that feuding with an instructor can cause your GPA to take a hit. An absence on the wrong day can cost you points. An accusation of plagiarism can be the difference between passing and failing a class. In short, earning your degree isn't just about acing exams and writing papers. It's also about learning to navigate the system.
If you're struggling to meet Cal State Sacramento's academic progress requirements, you should probably first consider hiring a tutor or visiting the writing center. If those approaches don't work, though, the Lento Law Firm is here to help. The Lento Law Firm Education Law Team knows Cal State Sacramento's system inside and out. Even better, they know how to use that system to your advantage.
Academic Progression at Cal State, Sacramento
So, you have to keep your grades up at Cal State, Sacramento. What does that mean in concrete terms, though? How does CSS define “progress”?
According to the Academic Standing Policy, “Good” standing requires you to maintain a 2.0 cumulative grade point average or better. Anything lower than that number, and you're subject to academic sanctions.
- Academic Probation: The first consequence of a low GPA is Academic Probation. The good news is that there are no specific requirements of probation—no special courses to take or advising appointments to attend. In addition, you can remain on probation until you return to Good standing, provided your earn at least a 2.0 semester GPA. The bad news: if you can't do that, the consequences get more serious.
- Academic Disqualification: Should your term GPA fall below 2.0 while you are on probation, you become academically Disqualified. This status essentially means you must petition in order to continue at CSS. Otherwise, you are Dismissed altogether from the university.
- Academic Dismissal: You can also be Dismissed from CSS if you continue to struggle academically after returning from Disqualification. A first Dismissal lasts for one full academic semester. A second Dismissal lasts for at least two years. Again, you must petition for readmission before you can return.
Dealing With Academic Disqualification and Dismissal
Should you find yourself Disqualified or Dismissed from Cal State, Sacramento, you must file a petition to be reinstated or readmitted. These petitions are reviewed by a “committee of faculty and professional advisors,” and your return is not automatic.
Successful petitions require several important components. You must explain what led to your academic deficiencies; you must be able to point to your academic potential; you must have a clear plan for improving. It helps to have evidence to back up your claims. You might point to writing center visits, for instance, as proof that you are legitimately putting effort into raising your GPA. Or, you might argue that your high grades in your major subject demonstrate your abilities as a student.
In short, these petitions can be complex and time-consuming to put together. However, the Lento Law Firm Education Law Team has filed hundreds of these appeals, both of Disqualification and Dismissal. As a result, they know exactly what's required and exactly how to make your petition stand out.
Dealing With Other Academic Sanctions
Here's the thing: Disqualification and Dismissal should never be Plan A. It is much harder to come back from these sanctions than it is simply to avoid them in the first place.
It turns out the Lento Law Firm Education Law Team can help you deal with lesser sanctions as well, which can keep you from having to file a petition later. For example,
- If you can point to specific extenuating circumstances as the cause of your deficiencies, you may be able to convince your college or school dean to give you more time to improve.
- If you should discover that you have a learning disability, you may be entitled to course accommodations that could help you raise your grades. In fact, you might be able to drop low grades from your GPA and retake those courses.
- Some faculty are willing to assign makeup and extra-credit work. You may have to take an Incomplete while you complete these assignments, but an I doesn't count against your GPA the way an F does.
- Some low grades are the result of cheating or plagiarism allegations. Your instructor has the authority to determine if you have committed academic misconduct and to assign you penalties as they see fit. However, you have the right to challenge their decisions to the Office of Student Conduct.
The real key to dealing with an academic progress issue is to deal with it early, as soon as you realize you have a problem. The Lento Law Firm Team may be able to help you raise your GPA, but the longer you wait to contact them, the more difficult it may be to get you back on track.
Premier Education Attorney-Advisors at the Lento Law Firm Team
Students sometimes ask: how exactly is an attorney-advisor 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 attorney advisors, and no one knows more about how to handle educational bureaucracy than the Lento Law Firm Education Law team. That team was assembled specifically to handle student conduct and academic progress issues.
The Lento Law Firm Education Law 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 888-555-3686, or use our automated online form.
