You’ve been at City Tech long enough to know college isn’t like high school. Sure, there are courses and instructors here, just like there were back home. Most college courses, though, are far more rigorous than what you faced in high school, and college professors can make even the toughest high school teachers look like pussycats. Plus, no one could kick you out of high school, no matter how bad your grades got. A bad semester or two at City Tech, and you could find yourself looking for a job without a college degree.

If you’re struggling to meet academic expectations at City Tech—whether you’re facing dismissal or something less serious like probation—we can help. You might be asking yourself, how is a lawyer supposed to help me get better grades? We’ll get into that. For now, all you need to know is that the LLF National Law Firm is on your side. Our Education Law Team is here to protect your rights and to make sure you have every opportunity to earn your degree.

We’re just a phone call away. Call 888-535-3686 or take a little time now and tell us about your situation.

Academic Progression at CUNY, City Tech

Suppose you’re the kind of student who worries that one bad grade is going to get you dismissed, don’t. That’s not the way things work. There’s a process at City Tech, a process outlined in the school’s academic standing policy. That policy sets very clear standards you must meet, and it outlines what kinds of penalties you face when you fail to meet them. No one is simply going to show up at your dorm room and haul you away.

  • Good Standing: First, you should know about good standing. That’s what it’s called when you’re making steady academic progress. Good standing is defined as a cumulative grade point average above 2.0. So, one C, or even a D or an F, isn’t going to put your future in jeopardy.
  • Academic Alert: If you’re still relatively new to campus, you should also know that you have some time to adjust to college life. During your first 24 hours at the university, a GPA lower than 2.0 means you are issued an academic alert rather than probation.
  • Academic Probation: After those first 24 hours, though, you’re placed on probation any time your GPA falls below 2.0. Among other penalties, probation can lead to the suspension of your financial aid. In addition, you need to earn a minimum 2.25 term GPA, or you risk more serious consequences.
  • Academic Dismissal: If your term GPA should fall below 2.25 while you’re on probation, City Tech then dismisses you entirely. Dismissal lasts for a minimum of one semester, and your return is not guaranteed.

You can apply for readmission after a semester. However, you should know that,

“Only students who have demonstrably improved their academic readiness may appeal to the appropriate Committee on Course and Standing for reinstatement.”

Dealing With Academic Standing Decisions

If you’ve been dismissed by City Tech, the attorneys at the LLF National Law Firm can guide you through the readmission process. We’re familiar with all of the college’s administrative procedures, and we know what the Committee on Course and Standing expects from appeals. We can work with you to gather evidence of your academic abilities and draft the appeal itself.

However, you are always better off avoiding dismissal in the first place if you possibly can. At a minimum, dismissal means time away from school, and it can be difficult to get back into the academic habit once you’ve been away.

The attorneys at the LLF National Law Firm also know some less formal strategies for avoiding academic sanctions, though. If you contact the firm early enough, you can keep your GPA out of the danger zone entirely.

  • Extenuating circumstances, such as a serious illness or family emergency, can be grounds for more time to improve. Any time you’re going through a situation like this, you should make the dean of students aware immediately.
  • Low grades can be a sign of an underlying problem: a learning disability. Your LLF National Law Firm attorney can help you get tested and make sure you get classroom accommodations if you need them. You can also file a petition to have your lowest grades dropped from your GPA. Once accommodations are in place, you can retake those courses with no penalty.
  • City Tech actually allows any student to replace a failing grade simply by retaking the course. Earn a C to replace an F, and it can make a big difference.
  • Every student deserves fair treatment. If you feel an instructor is mistreating you, you should report that to the instructor’s department head. You may be eligible for some type of grade adjustment.
  • Another common reason for low grades is academic misconduct. If your instructor believes you’ve cheated or committed plagiarism, they have the power to take points from assignments or even fail you outright. You have the right to defend yourself from charges, though, by requesting a hearing before the Academic Integrity Committee (AIC).
  • Some instructors are willing to assign make-up and extra credit, especially to students with borderline grades. If you’re willing to do a little extra work, this can be an easy way to improve your course grades and your GPA.
  • You can also try negotiating with instructors. You need a good argument—like significant improvement during the semester or a high final exam score—but you can sometimes convince them you deserve a better grade than the one you received.

You won’t hear about most of these strategies from your advisor. In fact, they may not even know about some of them. The LLF National Law Firm was established to help students, though, and at this point, we know all the tips and tricks and how to use them effectively to keep you out of academic trouble.

What Can the LLF National Law Firm Do For You?

Your CUNY City Tech 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 LLF National 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.

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