It's a common misconception that college success is all about going to class and studying. Are those things important? Absolutely. It's just as important, though, that you learn how to play the academic game, how to understand university bureaucracy and navigate the system.
What are you supposed to do, for example, if a professor just doesn't seem to like you? Who do you talk to if you need to miss class to attend a funeral? Is depression a legitimate reason to struggle with coursework?
We've got the answers to these and all your other questions about Loyola. Surprised that a law firm might be able to help you with academics? The Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team was actually founded for exactly that purpose. As it turns out, no one knows more about bureaucracy than lawyers. It's practically a whole term of law school. The lawyers at the Lento Law Firm made the decision to put that background to use by focusing specifically on education bureaucracy, and we've become pretty good at it. We've helped hundreds of students make it to graduation, and we've built a reputation as the premier student representation firm in the country.
What can we do for you? Call 888-535-3686 today to find out, or take a little time now and tell us about your situation.
Academic Progression at Loyola University Chicago
There's a lot that can go wrong during your four years at Loyola, and you need to worry about all of it. Your first priority, though, has to be performing as a student. The university maintains an academic standing policy that tells you exactly what you need to do to make steady progress toward your degree. It also sets penalties for students who aren't making that progress.
- Good Standing: This is where you want to be. At Loyola, good standing is defined as a cumulative grade point average above 2.0. That's it. Sure, if you ace all your courses during a semester, you can get yourself some nice awards like Dean's List. As long as you're in good standing, though, you shouldn't have any problems.
- Academic Probation: Of course, we all struggle from time to time. We all find ourselves in a tough class or two. Even a difficult semester or two can happen, and they can happen to the best of students. Should your GPA fall below 2.0, Loyola places you on probation. Probation means what it sounds like. You are in danger of losing your spot at the university, but you haven't lost it yet. Pull your grades up while on probation, and you're back in good standing.
- Continued Probation: In fact, you can remain on probation as long as you need to in order to get your GPA back up above 2.0—as long as you keep your term GPA above 2.33 in the meantime. You should also know that you're only allowed continued probation once. Additional stints on probation last for a maximum of one semester.
- Academic Dismissal: You can also be asked to leave Loyola altogether if you consistently struggle. Dismissal happens if your Quality Point Deficit is higher than 14, even if you've never been on probation. You can also be dismissed if you can't keep your term GPA above 2.33 while on probation or if you can't return to good standing after one semester on a second probation.
You can apply for readmission to Loyola after a year away from the university. However, standards are high, and your return is not guaranteed.
Dealing With Academic Standing Decisions
If you're facing dismissal at Loyola, you can go through an appeals process. Most appeals are granted on the basis of extenuating circumstances, such as a long-term illness or a family emergency. Your Lento Law Firm attorney can walk you through the entire process. They know what qualifies as an "extenuating circumstance," they know how to gather and organize evidence of such circumstances, and they can even work with you to draft the appeal itself.
The truth is, though, that you're always better off avoiding dismissal in the first place if you possibly can. You can count on your Lento Law Firm attorney to know how to do this as well.
- Maybe the easiest way to deal with a sagging GPA is to ask instructors for extra credit and makeup assignments. Not all instructors are open to making these assignments, but it could be that one makeup lab or a paper rewrite could help you avoid an academic sanction.
- Consistently low grades can be a sign of a learning disability. If you suffer from such a disability, you are entitled to certain course accommodations. Your Lento Law Firm attorney can help you get tested, and they can petition the university to allow you to drop low grades from your GPA. Then, you can retake those courses for replacement credit.
- Academic misconduct can also bring your GPA down. The thing is, instructors sometimes falsely accuse students of cheating and plagiarism. Or maybe you did make a mistake, but now your instructor is trying to punish you more severely than your offense deserves. In either case, you have the right to file an Academic Grievance to appeal your instructors' decisions.
- You have the right to fair treatment from your university and from each individual instructor. Any time you feel you're being treated unfairly in the classroom, you should alert your instructors' department heads or, failing that, the undergraduate dean.
This is only a partial list of the many ways you can improve your grades through administrative intervention. Your Lento Law Firm attorney will know about all the possibilities. More importantly, they can decide which one is right for your particular situation. They'll also work with you to implement a plan, making sure you know who to contact and exactly what to say.
Of course, if the worst should happen—or has already happened—your Lento Law Firm attorney is also well-versed in the readmission process at Loyola. They can help you put together a packet that includes evidence of your academic ability and shows you in the best possible light.
What Can the Lento Law Firm Do For You?
Your Loyola University Chicago 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 Lento 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.
