If you've been at Metropolitan State University of Denver for more than a minute, you know how tough college can be. However well you may have done in high school; however high your SAT scores may have been, college is a different animal. You're not just focusing on classes anymore. You're learning to navigate a new world, you're trying to define who you are as a person, you're trying to master adulting. All of that can make it hard to keep your grades up.
If your grades have slipped a bit—or more than a bit—The Lento Law Firm may be able to help. We know, we know: how's a lawyer supposed to help you improve your GPA? Here's the thing: college success is often as much about learning how to thrive in the university system as it is about learning how to do differential equations. Who do you talk to if you need to take a couple of weeks off to deal with a family crisis? What's the procedure for getting your learning disability diagnosed? What happens if you just can't get along with a cranky professor? The answers to these questions can be the difference between a GPA you can be proud of and an academic sanction.
The Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team knows the answers to these questions and more. We know bureaucracy, and we can help you resolve whatever problems you may encounter. Don't wait, though. You can't be sure how much further your GPA might fall in the meantime. Call The Lento Law Firm today at 888-535-3686, or take a little time now and tell us about your situation.
Academic Progression at Metro State, Denver
Before we go any further, let's take a moment to define just what academic progress looks like at Metro State. What are the university's standards, and what happens when you aren't meeting them?
- Good Standing: This is where you want to be. It means you're meeting all necessary requirements and moving steadily towards your degree. To remain in good standing, you need to keep your cumulative grade point average above 2.0, and you must complete at least two-thirds of all the courses you attempt. "F"s count against you. So do "W"s. Even Incompletes count against you until you've finished the work for the courses.
- Academic Warning: The world won't end if your GPA falls below 2.0. However, Metro State will place you on academic warning status. This means what it sounds like: it's a warning that if your GPA should fall further, you face more serious consequences. While on academic warning status, you must complete an Academic Success Workshop and meet with your academic advisor before you can register. The more pressing issue, though, is that you must raise your GPA in one semester, or you face suspension.
- Academic Suspension: If you cannot get your GPA back up to good standing during your semester on academic warning status, Metro State then suspends you from the university. Suspensions last for one full academic year. You must apply for reinstatement, and your return is not guaranteed.
- Academic Probation: Finally, should you be allowed to return to Metro State, you do so on academic probation. Once again, your goal is to get your GPA back up above 2.0 and return to good standing. You can take as long as you need to do this so long as your semester GPA remains above 2.25.
Dealing With Academic Standing Decisions
If you're facing academic suspension at Metro State, you should know that the university does offer an appeals process for students with extenuating circumstances. If, for example, you suffered a long-term illness over the course of the semester or had to deal with a death in the family, you may be able to get probation rather than suspension.
However, it is always better to avoid the prospect of suspension in the first place if you possibly can. Luckily, the attorneys at The Lento Law Firm know a number of useful strategies for keeping your GPA up. For example,
- If you consistently struggle to pass courses, you might want to consider visiting with Disability Services. If you have an undiagnosed learning disability, you could be entitled to classroom accommodations. You can also petition the university to drop low grades from your transcript and allow you to make up that coursework.
- Classroom mistreatment can also be grounds for special consideration. Report any such mistreatment to your instructor's department head. At a minimum, you have the right to file a formal grade appeal.
- Some low grades are the result of academic misconduct allegations such as cheating or plagiarism. You can appeal your instructor's decisions, though. Even if you admit to the offense, you can challenge the harshness of the sanction.
- Some Metro State faculty are willing to negotiate for grades if you have a compelling argument. If you scored especially well on your final exam, for instance, it's worth asking your professor to use that grade as your course grade.
- You can also try asking instructors for makeup or extra credit assignments. You may have to take an Incomplete while you finish this coursework, but in the end, your higher grade could be the difference in whether or not you have to deal with an academic sanction.
Whatever your particular situation, The Lento Law Firm will sit down with you and come up with a plan to move forward. We can work with you to draft an appeal if that's what's called for, put you in touch with a disability specialist, or coach you in negotiating with professors. We're committed to getting you the best possible resolution, whatever that takes.
What Can The Lento Law Firm Do for You?
Your Metro State University of Denver 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 automated online form.
