The moment your grades start to slip as a college student, you'll get lots of advice.
- “You just need to buckle down and study more.”
- “Have you tried visiting your professor during office hours?”
- “Join a study group.”
- “Hire a tutor.”
Here's a piece of advice you might not expect: hire an attorney. It turns out, though, that a Lento Law Firm attorney might be just what you need to get your GPA back on track.
Why?
College success can be as much about navigating the university system as it is about memorizing the Periodic Table. Good grades frequently come down to knowing who to contact when you have a problem, what to say, and how to say it. Who knows more about bureaucratic systems than lawyers?
And no one knows more about educational bureaucracy than the Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team. We were founded to help students make sense of their schools. We know how North Dakota State (NDSU) operates. We know all the tips and tricks for keeping your grades up. We care about your success, and we're always on your side.
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 North Dakota State University
Let's start with the basics. Just what are the academic progress standards at NDSU? A lot of students don't realize this, but the university maintains a strict academic standing policy. That policy sets progress standards. It also describes a series of progressive penalties you face when you fail to meet those standards.
- Good Standing: You begin your university career in good standing, and ideally, that's where you want to remain. NDSU defines good standing as a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better.
- Academic Alert: Any time your cumulative GPA falls below 2.0, NDSU issues you an academic alert. This is just what it sounds like—a warning that you're struggling academically and that continued struggles can result in more serious consequences. The good news is that you aren't subject to any additional academic requirements, such as extra classes or learning seminars. Academic alerts don't show up on your transcript. In addition, you can continue on academic alert status as long as you need to, provided you earn a minimum 2.0 semester GPA.
- Academic Suspension: If your semester GPA falls below 2.0 while you are on academic alert, you then face suspension from the university. Suspensions last for at least two semesters. Readmission is generally automatic, but a record of your suspension does appear on your transcript, and that can affect internship opportunities, graduate school applications, and even the trajectory of your career.
Dealing With Academic Sanctions
NDSU does offer you the chance to appeal a suspension if your academic deficiencies are the result of extenuating circumstances, such as a serious bout of depression or a family emergency. If this is the situation you find yourself in, the attorneys at the Lento Law Firm can help you document your circumstances and draft your appeal. We're also experienced with putting together readmission packets if you're looking to return to NDSU following a suspension.
You are always better off avoiding suspension in the first place if your possibly can, though. Not only does suspension include a transcript notation, but it can be difficult returning to school once you've been away for a year.
If you contact the Lento Law Firm early enough, we may be able to suggest some strategies for avoiding this fate.
- All students are entitled to fair treatment in the classroom. If an instructor is mistreating you in any way, we can help you establish a paper trail so that at the end of the semester, you can file an official grade appeal.
- If you struggle in multiple subjects, you could have an undiagnosed learning disability. Under federal law, you have the right to course accommodations if you need them. You can also petition NDSU to drop low grades from your transcript and allow you to retake those courses without penalty.
- A low course grade can also be the result of an academic misconduct allegation. Instructors have the power to accuse you of cheating and plagiarism, to decide on their own whether or not you are guilty, and to assign punishments as they see fit. However, you have the right to appeal these decisions to your instructors' superiors, including the department chair and the dean of your college.
- There is no penalty for asking an instructor for extra credit or makeup work. They can always say no, but if they're willing to make such assignments, this can be an easy way to pull up a borderline grade.
- Faculty are sometimes open to other types of negotiation as well. For example, a particularly high final exam score might be grounds to ask for a higher course grade.
The first thing your Lento Law Firm attorney will do when you contact them is sit down with you and go over your situation. Only then will they suggest a course of action. In addition to helping you come up with a plan, they'll also help you to implement it, whether that means filing an official appeal, coaching you in the art of negotiating with faculty, or simply figuring out who you need to talk to.
What Can the Lento Law Firm Do For You?
Your North Dakota 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. 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.
