You thought getting into college was hard work. Graduating from college is a whole new level of difficulty. Professors aren't nearly as forgiving as high school teachers. There are no study halls. And oh, by the way, you'll need to master the whole adulting thing in between going to class. And the moment you fall behind, you'll face serious consequences. If your GPA should dip, you're subject to probation or worse.
None of us is perfect, of course. Maybe math isn't your thing, and that calculus course you have to take is threatening to make your head explode. Maybe you'd rather have your wisdom teeth pulled than write comp papers. Or maybe adulting is the problem: you just can't seem to find a way to drag yourself out of bed for that 8 am class you have this semester.
Whatever it is that's getting in the way of your progress, attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team want to make sure it doesn't stand in the way of you earning your degree. Sadly, they can't take your classes for you, or write your essays. What they can do is help you navigate Florida State's system. They know who to talk to and what to say. Most importantly, they believe in you. They'll do whatever it takes to make sure you're treated fairly and that you have every opportunity to find academic success.
Academic Progression at Florida State
Like all schools, Florida State has what's known as an “academic standing” policy. This policy sets academic standards for the university and the consequences when students don't meet those standards. FSU's standing policy is pretty simple. To remain in “good” standing, you must earn a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average.
What happens if you don't reach that mark? The first consequence is that you're placed on Academic Probation. While on probation, you must enroll in no fewer than 12 hours and no more than 15 hours a semester. In addition, probation is noted on your transcript.
Your more immediate problem when you're on probation, though, is to get off of it. If you are able to achieve that 2.0 cumulative GPA mark, you return to good standing. Alternatively, you can continue on probation for an additional semester, provided you earn a term GPA of no less than 2.5. If you can't do that, or if you still haven't raised your cumulative GPA to 2.0 after two semesters, you are then dismissed from the university.
You can earn reinstatement to FSU after dismissal. That requires taking online courses through Florida's Flexible Learning Program and meeting the 2.0 GPA requirement or graduating with an Associate's degree from another public college in Florida with a 2.0 cumulative GPA. Otherwise, dismissal is permanent. Further, if you should return to FSU and continue to struggle, you'll be permanently dismissed.
Dealing With Academic Standing Decisions
If you're looking to avoid a sanction at FSU, your formal options are pretty limited. Obviously, you can go through the process of readmission if you're dismissed. That process can be difficult, though, and no matter what happens, your dismissal will throw your education timeline off track.
There's also an immediate appeals process for students whose GPA is close to the 2.0 mark after two semesters on probation. However, this option is only available in “extraordinary circumstances.”
What can you do to avoid a sanction in the first place, to prevent probation and dismissal before they happen? It turns out there are some informal options.
- If your academic deficiencies are the result of extenuating circumstances—factors beyond your control—you can try appealing directly to your college or school dean. You may be able to persuade them to give you more time to improve.
- Students with disabilities are often entitled to classroom accommodations like extra time to complete assignments. If you are diagnosed with a disability, you may be able to petition for some form of grade relief from previous classes, even if you were not diagnosed at the time you took them. At a minimum, you should be allowed to retake those courses.
- No one should suffer mistreatment in the classroom. If you feel your instructor is treating you unfairly, you should bring that to the attention of your instructor's department head or your college dean. Again, you may be entitled to some form of grade relief.
- A low grade can be the result of academic misconduct. If your instructor suspects you of cheating, they have the authority to lower your grade on the assignment or lower your grade in the course. However, you have the right to challenge these decisions.
- Some faculty are willing to assign makeup or extra credit work to students whose grades are borderline. You may have to ask your instructor for this option, but this is yet another way to raise your GPA.
- Faculty are also sometimes willing to negotiate a semester grade. Perhaps your final exam score was high, and you feel this warrants a higher course grade. Or maybe you showed improvement over the course of a semester, even if your scores don't actually add up to a passing grade. You can always make the argument and see what happens.
Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team know all the options for avoiding academic sanctions, and they've helped hundreds of students get the fair treatment they deserve. Whether you need help drafting an appeal or you're looking for coaching in the art of grade negotiation, they're ready to do what it takes to make sure you're treated fairly and that you have every opportunity to finish your degree.
Of course, should the worst happen and you find yourself dismissed, they're also skilled at filing reinstatement petitions. Joseph D. Lento and his team know exactly what reinstatement committees look for in these petitions, and they know how to shape appeals to put you in the very best light.
Premier Education Attorney-Advisor, Joseph D. Lento
Students sometimes ask: how exactly is an attorney-advisor supposed to help me with academic issues? It's a fair question. It's not like you're on trial for shoplifting. You need help with your grades. That's normally a matter of studying harder or finding a tutor.
As the information on this page suggests, though, succeeding in college is often as much about navigating bureaucracy as it is about writing papers and taking exams. No one knows more about dealing with bureaucracy than attorneys, and no one knows more about dealing with educational bureaucracy than Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law team. That team was assembled specifically to handle student conduct and academic progress issues.
Joseph D. Lento and his team are on your side. They understand that no one is perfect, and they're committed to the idea that a few mistakes shouldn't keep you from earning your degree and going on to a successful career. They'll fight to make sure you're treated fairly and that you get all the rights you deserve. You've worked hard to get to this point. Don't let that hard work go to waste. To find out more about how you can fight dismissal, contact the Lento Law Firm today at 888-555-3686, or use our automated online form.
