There are all sorts of ways to improve your GPA—studying harder, visiting faculty during office hours, joining study groups, and hiring tutors. You probably know about most of these. You hear about them ad nauseam from parents and teachers, you see them on bulletin board flyers, and you come across them online.
Here's one we'll bet you haven't heard: contacting a law firm. We can hear you asking now: "What is an attorney supposed to do to help you with your grades?"
You might be surprised. It turns out that college success has a lot to do with how well you navigate the university system. Do you know who to contact if you can't get along with a professor? Do you know how to negotiate a paper extension with your freshman comp instructor? Do you know where to go if you think you might have a learning disability?
College is a complicated bureaucracy. Who knows more about dealing with bureaucracy than lawyers? We'll let you in on another secret as well—no one deals with educational bureaucracy better than the Lento Law Firm. Our Education Law Team; it's sort of their thing. They work with students every day, and they've learned everything there is to know about using university policy to your advantage.
So, if you're struggling to keep your grades up at the University of Alaska, Anchorage (UAA), you owe it to yourself to find out just 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 the University of Alaska, Anchorage
Many of our students don't realize they're in academic trouble until they're faced with a serious sanction, so let's start by talking about UAA's academic standing policy. That policy defines academic “progress,” and it sets penalties for students who aren't making that progress.
- Good Standing: As long as your cumulative and term grade point averages are 2.0 or above, you're considered to be in good standing. Obviously, that's where you want to stay.
- Academic Warning: If your term GPA should fall—just your term GPA—UAA issues you an academic warning. Technically, you're not in good standing anymore, but a warning is just that—a warning that you need to improve.
- Academic Probation: If both of your GPAs should fall below 2.0, you're then placed on academic probation. This is a more serious status. However, there are no special requirements while on probation other than to return to good standing. You can take as long as you need to do that so long as you earn term GPAs of at least 2.0.
- Academic Suspension: Should your term GPA fall below 2.0 while on probation, you're then suspended from the university. This means you are academically “disqualified” and barred from registering for classes for a minimum of one semester (fall or spring). You can gain reinstatement by filing a petition with your academic advisor. However, should you continue to struggle after returning to UAA, you face longer suspensions and, eventually, complete dismissal.
Dealing With Academic Sanctions
If you are facing academic suspension or dismissal at UAA, there are some extreme measures you can take to salvage your academic career. As mentioned, you can sit out a semester and apply for reinstatement. You also have the option of asking for academic renewal. Under a renewal plan, you can drop up to two consecutive semesters' worth of coursework from your GPA and retake those classes. If you've been away from UAA for two years, you can even start over entirely under the Fresh Start program.
The attorneys at the Lento Law Firm are well-versed in all these options and can help make sure you're ready to return and have all your appeals materials in order.
However, if you recognize you're struggling academically, there are other, less extreme methods of keeping your GPA out of the danger zone. The Lento Law Firm attorney can help you exercise these options as well. For example,
- If you've been dealing with extenuating circumstances, such as a family emergency or a serious illness, you can petition your college dean for more time to improve.
- If you struggle in most of your classes, it might be worth getting tested for a learning disability. If it turns out you have such a condition, you may qualify for special course accommodations. You may also be able to ask the university to drop low grades from your GPA and allow you to retake those courses without penalty.
- Academic misconduct—cheating and plagiarism—can be grounds for a lowered course grade. If you're innocent, though, you have the right to appeal your instructors' decision. In fact, even if you are guilty of an offense, you can appeal the severity of the sanction they've assigned you.
- You can sometimes negotiate a better grade if you have an especially strong argument to make. For instance, your final exam score might be higher than your actual course grade. Try asking your instructor to use it instead.
- You always have the right to ask for extra credit and makeup work. Not all instructors are receptive to these requests, but even one or two can help you to pull your GPA up.
Whatever your situation, you can be sure that the Lento Law Firm attorney will know a strategy for keeping you out of academic trouble. They believe in your right to an education, and they'll do whatever they can to ensure you get it.
What Can the Lento Law Firm Do For You?
Your University of Alaska, Anchorage 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. College 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.
