So, you got into CalTech. That's an impressive accomplishment. Getting in, though, isn't the same as graduating. If you want a diploma, you have to be able to excel academically. That's not always as easy as it sounds. Life has a funny way of putting up roadblocks sometimes. Maybe yours is that 8 AM class that you can't avoid, but you just can't seem to get up on time for either. Maybe it's a difficult breakup that makes it hard to concentrate on coursework. Maybe it's that course in Shakespeare you have to take to satisfy your HUM credits.
Whatever problem you're facing, it's worth contacting attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento to see if he can help. You might be surprised at the notion that a lawyer could help you with academics. The thing is, most issues in higher education have far less to do with academic performance than with navigating bureaucracy. No one navigates bureaucracy better than an attorney, and Joseph D. Lento focuses specifically on educational bureaucracy.
Joseph D. Lento can't take your classes for you. If you're facing academic progress issues, though, you owe it to yourself to find out what he might be able to do for you.
Academic Progression Requirements at CalTech
Success at CalTech truly is about “progress” in the strictest sense of that word. Your enrollment from semester to semester is by no means guaranteed just because you've been admitted to the program. You must meet certain eligibility requirements every semester in order to move to the next one.
- First, you must complete—not attempt, but complete—at least 27 units each term. Obviously, course failures count against this number, as do withdrawals.
- In addition, you must earn at least a 1.9 GPA each term.
Failure to meet these standards carries serious consequences. Initially, you are ruled ineligible for enrollment. You can petition for reinstatement. However, reinstatement for a probationary term is not guaranteed.
In addition, should you become ineligible twice, you are dismissed from the school for at least two terms. Again, there is no guarantee you can return after dismissal. It requires an extensive appeals process. And, should you become ineligible a third time, dismissal is always permanent.
Decision Processes at CalTech
Unless you've been granted express permission to take fewer courses during a term, matters of eligibility come down to numbers. Either you have completed the required number of courses during a term and earned the minimum GPA, or you haven't.
However, you do have options if you're facing ineligibility. The most obvious of these is to petition the dean or associate dean of undergraduate students for reinstatement. The dean may also refer the matter to the Undergraduate Academic Standards and Honors Committee (UASH). In either case, you may be granted a probationary semester to meet standards, or you may be asked to withdraw from the Institute for two terms.
There are other options you might pursue as well. Sometimes, for instance, an instructor may be willing to reconsider your grades from a term or issue you an Incomplete while you work through extra credit or makeup assignments. One changed grade can often be enough to raise your GPA above the minimum.
Of course, even if the worst should happen and you should be dismissed for two semesters, you can still gain readmission. This involves submitting a written petition to the UASH as well as documentation that your time away from the Institute was productive, that, for example, you completed course work at another school, participated in an internship, or accumulated significant hours of volunteer work.
It is never easy facing an administrator or a review panel and trying to justify your enrollment. You need evidence, and you need compelling arguments about why you failed to meet standards and what you'll do to turn things around. Joseph D. Lento can advise you of all your options, help you prepare your petition, and give you practice in presenting it.
SAP Standards
If you receive federal financial aid at CalTech, there's another set of academic standards to worry about: SAP. SAP or Satisfactory Academic Progress policies are required by the federal government to ensure students at an institution aren't abusing the federal aid system.
CalTech's financial aid office reviews student progress after each term. The specific criteria are the same as that for enrollment eligibility: students must complete at least 27 units each semester and earn a GPA of no less than 1.9.
There is one further SAP stipulation: no student may receive aid if they have taken more than 150 percent of the courses required for their particular degree. The Bachelor of Science degree at CalTech requires 486 units. Thus, the maximum number of units you can take at the school and still receive federal support is 729.
Because SAP standards are tied to academic standing standards, financial aid decisions are generally made in conjunction with standing decisions. That is if you've been given “ineligible” status, but the dean of undergraduate studies or the UASH approves your petition for reinstatement, you can continue to receive aid under a “warning” status.
Likewise, students who return after being dismissed for two terms are placed on “probation” status and can receive aid for an additional term.
If you're worried about losing your funding or if you've already been told you're ineligible to receive aid, it's important to contact Joseph D. Lento right away. He may be able to help, but SAP decisions are frequently time-sensitive.
Premier Education Attorney-Advisor
Many students feel they are on their own once they enroll in college. If they find themselves in trouble—especially academic trouble—they just assume they have to handle it by themselves. They don't know how to go about fighting the system, though. They're overwhelmed by bureaucracy, and in the end, they wind up simply accepting probation, suspension, dismissal, or the loss of financial aid, even when they may have better options.
The fact is, there are many ways to deal with academic issues. A bad semester doesn't have to mean the end of your career at Carnegie Mellon. Joseph D. Lento has represented hundreds of students just like you in academic progress cases. He knows the processes, and he can offer suggestions for how to use them to your advantage. If you or your child is facing dismissal, or even if you have already been dismissed, you owe it to yourself to learn about what options might be available to you. To find out more, contact the Lento Law Firm today at 888-555-3686, or use our automated online form.
