It's no easy task keeping your GPA up. Georgia Gwinnett College doesn't just give degrees away. There are classes to attend, papers to write, homework assignments to complete, and tests to study for. And there are plenty of lesser-known factors that can bring your grades down as well. A family emergency can mean missing class, for instance, and you can never tell when a professor might just decide they don't like you for some reason or other.
The idea that a lawyer might be able to help you with academic standing issues might seem odd. And to be sure, we can't attend your classes for you or write your papers. Lawyers are particularly adept at dealing with bureaucracy, though—the kind of bureaucracy you find at, say, an institution of higher learning. In fact, the attorneys at the Lento Law Firm are specifically focused on this particular kind of bureaucracy.
The Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team knows what the law has to say about students. They're also familiar with Georgia Gwinnett's policy. They can not only show you how to effectively navigate the system but can offer some useful tips and tricks for using that system to your best advantage.
We'll give you some concrete examples of what we mean below. First, though, you need to know how to contact us for help. Call 888-535-3686 today, or take a little time now and tell us what kind of problem you're facing.
Academic Progress Standards at Georgia Gwinnett College
Let's start at the beginning: just what does “academic progress” actually mean? In a general sense, it means you're moving forward towards your degree, that you're passing your classes and doing everything necessary to make it to graduation on time.
In a more concrete sense, academic progress is defined by Georgia Gwinnett's academic standing policy. Here's what that policy has to say.
- Good Standing: Your goal is to keep yourself in good standing. Good standing is based entirely on your cumulative grade point average, but how high yours needs to be depends on a sliding scale.
- If you are between 0 and 15 hours, you need a 1.5 GPA to remain in good standing.
- If you are between 16 and 30 hours, you need a 1.6.
- Between 31 and 45 hours, you need a 1.8.
- Over 45 hours, you need a 2.0.
- Academic Warning. When you've dropped out of good standing, you're initially placed on academic warning status. As part of this status, you must meet with your academic advisor before registering for classes. Your main goal, though, should be to return to good standing.
- Academic Probation: Two consecutive semesters below 2.0 means academic probation. You are limited to 14 hours while on probation, and you may not represent the college in any official capacity. Again, however, your primary responsibility is to return to good standing.
- Continued Probation: You can remain on probation as long as it takes to improve your grades, so long as you earn a 2.0 term GPA every term.
- Academic Suspension: Should your term GPA dip below 2.0 while you are on probation, Georgia Gwinnett College then suspends you for a period of one semester. You can return to the school following this period, but you must apply for readmission.
- Academic Dismissal: When you return to the college, you return on probation. Further academic difficulties mean dismissal for a period of one full year. Second dismissals are permanent.
Dealing With Academic Sanctions
Georgia Gwinnett's standing policy makes no mention of an appeals process, even for suspension and dismissal decisions. For better or worse, your GPA is your GPA and not subject to debate.
That doesn't mean you just have to accept an academic sanction, though. The Lento Law Firm attorney can show you a number of useful ways to protect yourself. For instance,
- If your academic deficiencies are related to extenuating circumstances, such as a serious bout of depression or a death in the family, you can petition the Dean of Students directly and ask for more time to improve.
- If you feel an instructor is mistreating you, you should report that immediately to that instructor's department head. You may be eligible for immediate relief. At a minimum, you can file a grade appeal once the semester is over.
- If you consistently struggle in your courses, you should visit Disability Services and ask to be tested. A disability entitles you to classroom accommodations when necessary and to drop low grades from your transcript.
- If you're dealing with a low grade because of an accusation of academic misconduct, you can challenge that accusation through the university's student conduct processes.
- Some faculty are willing to negotiate grades. You need a compelling argument, like a high final exam score, but you can sometimes convince an instructor you deserve a higher course grade.
- You can always ask faculty for extra credit and makeup assignments. Most students do this when they're facing a low grade, like a D or an F. Raising a C to a B or a B to an A can be just as effective for improving your GPA, though.
The most important part of pulling your GPA up? Knowing which solution is right for you. It does no good to ask for extra credit, for instance, if an extra credit assignment isn't going to give you enough points for a higher grade.
You can count on the Lento Law Firm attorney to review your particular situation before helping you develop a plan. They'll also stand beside you as you implement that plan. They can coach you in negotiating with faculty, draft documents on your behalf, and tell you how to get in touch with the right administrative offices. Their most important job, though, is making sure you're treated fairly and that you have every reasonable opportunity to earn your degree.
What Can the Lento Law Firm Do For You?
Your Georgia Gwinnett College 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. 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 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.
