You're skeptical that an attorney can help you make better grades at Marshall. We get it. It's not like you've been accused of shoplifting. You're trying to keep your head above water in chemistry. So, before we go any further, let's talk about just what the Lento Law Firm can do for you.
If you've ever dealt with campus parking or tried to get an appointment with someone in financial aid, you know—Marshall is an enormous bureaucracy, and nothing gets done unless you understand how to navigate that bureaucracy. As crazy as it may sound, even your grades come down to whether or not you can handle the Marshall system. Who do you talk to if the online course page says you didn't turn in your paper when you know you did? Where do you go if you think you might have a learning disability that's tanking your freshman comp grade? Do you know what to do if you need to miss a week of class to attend a funeral overseas?
No one does bureaucracy better than attorneys. It's practically a whole year at law school. And no one does educational bureaucracy better than the Lento Law Firm. Our Education Law Team has worked with hundreds of students, helping them protect their rights and get the educational resources they need. We know the Marshall system, and we can help you get through it.
So, now you know. The Lento Law Firm can help you improve academically. Want to know more about how? Call 888-535-3686, or take a little time now and tell us what kind of problem you're facing.
Academic Progress Standards at Marshall University
You'd be surprised how many students don't know they're in trouble academically until it's too late. A lot of students assume college is like high school—once you get in, you're in. They can't just toss you out, right?
Turns out, they can. Marshall—and all other colleges and universities—maintain something called an academic standing policy. Your "standing" is based on your GPA. When it falls, so does your standing, and eventually, you can even wind up dismissed from the university altogether.
Here's what you need to know.
- Good Standing: As the name implies, this is where you want to be. Marshall defines good standing as a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or above. That's it.
- Academic Probation: Here's the thing—most of us struggle in college at some point or another. Maybe you're dealing with a family crisis. Maybe you just don't jive with calculus. Whatever the reason, if your GPA should fall below 2.0, you're placed on academic probation. A few things to remember about probation:
- You cannot register for courses online.
- You must meet with your academic advisor and create an Academic Engagement Plan (AEP).
- You are limited to 15 course hours for the term.
- You can return to good standing by pulling your GPA back up above 2.0.
- You can remain on probation as long as you need to, provided you earn at least a 2.0-term GPA each term.
- Academic Suspension: What happens if your term GPA falls below 2.0 while you're on probation? Suspension. This means separation from the university for at least one regular semester (fall or spring). Your return is automatic, but you must have an AEP, and you must follow it to the letter. Second suspensions require you to file a petition in order to return. Third, suspensions are, for all practical purposes, permanent dismissals from the university.
Dealing With Academic Sanctions
Marshall's academic standing policy makes no mention of any formal appeals process. Status decisions are made almost exclusively on the basis of GPA, and that's not normally considered a matter for debate.
However, your Lento Law Firm attorney knows a number of informal options for keeping your grades up, and in many cases, these can help keep you from reaching the point of suspension or dismissal in the first place. For example,
- While there is no formal appeals process, if you've been dealing with extenuating circumstances, you can try appealing directly to the dean of your school or college. Things like long-term illnesses and family emergencies usually warrant extra time to improve your GPA.
- All students deserve fair classroom treatment. If you feel an instructor isn't treating you fairly, you should report this immediately to your instructor's department head. You may be entitled to some instant relief, but at a minimum, this report will lay the groundwork for you to file a formal grade appeal after the semester is over.
- If an instructor feels you've cheated on an assignment or committed some form of plagiarism, they can lower your grade on the assignment or your course grade. They can even fail you outright. However, you have due process rights. You can challenge the allegations, or you can accept responsibility and challenge the severity of the sanction.
- If you consistently struggle to pass courses, you may be dealing with a learning disability. Disability services can get you tested and help you work out appropriate accommodations with your instructors, so you have a level playing field. You can also petition the university to drop low grades from your transcript and let you retake those courses.
- Faculty are sometimes willing to negotiate grades if you have a compelling enough argument. If, for example, the grade on your cumulative final exam is particularly high, it might be worth asking your instructor to use it as your course grade. After all, it should be a reflection of just how much you've learned.
- Of course, the old standby is to ask instructors for makeup or extra credit work. This is especially effective when your grade is borderline. Obviously, many instructors will say no. It's a game of percentages, though. Enough will say yes that you can usually use this method to keep your GPA healthy.
Your advisor may not tell you about these options. They may not know about some of them. The Lento Law Firm has been working with students for a long time, long enough to have figured out what works and what doesn't. You can count on us to come up with a plan that's tailored to your specific situation and to work with you to put that plan into action.
What Can the Lento Law Firm Do for You?
Your Marshall University 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.
