College isn't like high school, is it? Sure, you take classes at both of them. You have to write papers and ace exams. But college courses are way tougher, and professors are more demanding than the most finicky high school teachers. Plus, you had someone to wake you up in the morning when you were in high school—someone to make you study, someone to do your laundry.
So maybe your GPA has fallen a little in these first few semesters. Or maybe you're further along, nearing graduation, and a little distracted by the job search or graduate school applications. It happens to the best of us. What do you do if it happens to you?
Well, first, you make sure you get to class, and you double down on your studying. You visit professors during office hours and may join a study group. If those measures aren't enough, though, the Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team may be able to help. What can an attorney do to help you with your GPA? That will become clear as you read. For now, though, know that the firm's attorneys are on your side. They'll protect your rights and do whatever they can to make sure you have a chance to earn your degree.
For more information, call the Lento Law Firm at 888-535-3686 today or use the firm's automated online form.
Academic Progression at Clemson University
Academic success at Clemson University is all about meeting the school's Academic Standing policy. Good standing under that policy requires you to maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average. Should you struggle to meet this requirement, you are subject to a progressive series of consequences.
- Academic Alert: Any time your term GPA falls below 1.5, you are issued an alert, no matter what your cumulative GPA may be. You remain in good standing, but an alert is an early indication you may be struggling.
- Academic Probation: The first consequence when your cumulative GPA falls below the 2.0 mark is probation. While on probation, you must earn a minimum term GPA based on a sliding scale.
- If you have attempted between 16 and 29 hours, you must earn a 1.75.
- If you have attempted between 30 and 59 hours, you must earn a 1.85.
- If you have attempted between 60 and 89 hours, you must earn a 1.95.
- If you have attempted more than 89 hours, you must earn a 2.0.
- Academic Suspension: Should your term GPA fall below these prescribed numbers while you're on probation, you are then subject to suspension. Suspension means you are ineligible to enroll in classes for one semester. You may re-enroll after this point without the need to reapply.
- Academic Dismissal: If you fail to meet academic eligibility requirements during the semester after your suspension, you can also be dismissed. Dismissal lasts for at least one year, and you must reapply for admission. If your petition is denied, you can continue to reapply at the end of each term. If, however, you return from dismissal and still can't meet eligibility standards, your dismissal becomes permanent.
Dealing With Academic Standing Decisions
If you've been dismissed or suspended, Clemson oversees an appeals process that allows you to be immediately reinstated the following semester. However, you must be able to point to extenuating circumstances as the reason for your deficiencies. If you think you qualify, the attorneys at the Lento Law Firm can help you find and organize evidence and will work with you to draft your appeal.
What do you do if you can't point to an illness or a family emergency as the source of your problems? For that matter, how can you avoid academic alerts and probation? The Lento Law Firm can help in these situations as well. There are always strategies for avoiding an academic sanction. For instance,
- You are entitled to fair treatment in the classroom. If you feel an instructor is mistreating you, you should report that mistreatment immediately to your instructor's department head. You may deserve higher grades.
- Some low grades are the result of academic misconduct allegations. Instructors have the authority to lower your grades if they believe you've cheated or committed plagiarism. However, you always have the right to appeal your instructor's judgments to a university hearing board.
- A disability may entitle you to course accommodations like extra time to complete assignments or a peer note taker. If you're denied these accommodations, you can petition Disability Services for grade relief.
- If you should discover you have a previously undiagnosed disability, you can ask the university to set aside low grades and allow you to take those courses with accommodations in place.
- Some Clemson faculty will negotiate grades. You can always ask for makeup work or extra credit, for example. Or, if your final exam grade was particularly high, you might ask if it could replace your course grade.
An attorney from the Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team can advise you about these and other options for keeping your GPA high. They'll help you develop a plan specific to your situation and will work with you to implement it, whether that means filing appeals or coaching you in the art of negotiating with faculty.
Remember that if you've already been dismissed from Clemson, we know how to use tools like Academic Renewal to help you get back on track and earn your degree. We're committed to your success, and we'll do whatever it takes to get you to the finish line.
What Can the Lento Law Firm Do for You?
There may be no more complex bureaucracy in America than university systems. It's hard enough taking classes, getting used to living with someone, and making good decisions about when to study and when to party. You don't have time to figure out how the Clemson system works, too.
It turns out that lawyers are especially good at dealing with bureaucracy. It's like a whole course in law school. The Education Law Team at the Lento Law Firm was specifically created to deal with educational bureaucracy. We know the law and how your school operates, and we're ready to put what we know to work in service of your future.
At the first sign of trouble, don't wait. Let the Lento Law Firm help you before you reach the point of probation or dismissal. Call today at 888-535-3686 or use our automated online form.
