You're bright and hardworking, or you wouldn't have gotten into Daytona State in the first place. So, you probably assume you don't have to worry too much about your GPA.
Here's the thing: four years is a long time, and a lot can go wrong. You might run into an instructor who just doesn't seem to like you. You might suffer a long-term illness. You might decide you need to drop a course because your ex is taking it, too. These kinds of situations have nothing to do with how hard you study, but they can have a huge impact on your grades.
The Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team is here to help. We cannot take your exams for you or write your papers. However, we can help you navigate the Daytona State system, and that can be every bit as important to your success. We know how the college's administrative procedures work and how to use them to your best advantage. We know all the tips and tricks for keeping your grades up and your progress on track. Ultimately, we're committed to your success, and we'll do what it takes to ensure you make it to graduation.
If you're struggling to meet NDSU's progress requirements, you owe it to yourself to find out how we can help. Call 888-535-3686 today to learn more, or take a little time now and tell us what kind of problem you're facing.
Academic Progress Standards at Daytona State College
College isn't like high school. Fail a class in high school, and you might have to retake it, but they couldn't just kick you out. Daytona State, on the other hand, maintains a strict academic standing policy. Under that policy, grades have consequences, and you can even lose your spot at the college.
- Good Standing: Ideally, you want to remain in good standing. Sure, you can earn honors like a mention in the Dean's List, but those come and go. Good standing means you're making steady progress toward your degree and don't have to worry about sanctions. Daytona State defines good standing as a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or above.
- Academic Alert: The first time your cumulative GPA falls below 2.0, Daytona State issues you an academic alert. As part of this alert, you are required to meet with your advisor to discuss your academic progress. Of course, as soon as you raise your GPA back above 2.0, you're back in good standing.
- Academic Warning: The next time your cumulative GPA falls below 2.0—even if it's a non-consecutive semester—you are issued an academic warning. Here again, your primary goal is to return to good standing. You can remain on warning status indefinitely as long as you continue to earn at least a 2.0 each semester.
- Academic Probation: If your semester GPA falls below 2.0 during a warning semester, you are then placed on probation. You can return to warning status by earning a term GPA above 2.0. You can return to good standing by pulling your cumulative GPA above 2.0. Should both GPAs remain below these levels, though, Daytona State then suspends you for one semester.
- Academic Suspension: First suspensions last one semester. Second suspensions last for a full year. Upon your return, you are once again placed on probation, and failure to earn a 2.0 or better term GPA means additional suspension.
Dealing With Academic Sanctions
Daytona State's policy makes no mention of academic dismissal, suggesting you can always return and resume your degree. Keep in mind, though, that it can be difficult to go back to school once you've been away. You may need to start repaying student loans, for instance, and once you start a job, studying can come to seem less important.
You are always better off avoiding suspension in the first place if you possibly can. That's where the Lento Law Firm can help. We've been working with students long enough to know all the strategies for keeping your GPA out of the danger zone.
- First, you should know that Daytona State does offer an appeals process for suspended students with extenuating circumstances. A long-term illness or a family emergency can be grounds for more time to improve, but you must be able to document these circumstances.
- If you struggle in multiple subjects, you could have a learning disability. Disability Services can get you tested. They can also work with instructors to get you any necessary course accommodations, such as extra time on assignments. Finally, you can ask the college to drop low grades from your GPA while you retake those courses.
- Instructors have the power to lower your grades if they suspect you of academic dishonesty, and this can devastate your GPA. However, you can appeal such decisions up the academic chain of command, beginning with the instructor's department chair.
- Extra credit and makeup assignments can be a quick way to raise a grade and, thus, a GPA. Not all instructors offer such opportunities, but it never hurts to ask.
- There are sometimes other grounds for grade negotiation as well. For instance, a high final exam score might be evidence that you deserve a higher course grade.
- You always deserve fair treatment in the classroom. If you feel an instructor is mistreating you, you should report that to the instructor's department chair. This will begin a paper trail that you can use to file an official grade appeal.
Whatever your particular situation, your Lento Law Firm attorney will suggest a course of action. Then, they'll work with you to implement that course of action.
What Can the Lento Law Firm Do For You?
Your Daytona State diploma is far more than just a piece of paper. It's your avenue to a successful career. If it's under threat for any reason, you can't afford to try and handle the problem by yourself. College 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 progress 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.
