Graduating from college is about more than smarts. It takes a full four years of hard work and dedication—going to class, studying, and writing papers. You get through it one year, one semester, one course at a time, and you can't afford to fall behind at any point along the way.
Here's the thing, though: four years is a long time. That adds up to 208 weeks, or 1,460 days. In all that time, you have to sort of expect that there will be days or weeks or even semesters when you're just not at your best. Maybe you fail an exam, or an entire course, and suddenly you find yourself in trouble academically. School administrators start talking about probation and dismissal. What do you do then?
You contact National Student Defense attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento. How is an attorney going to help you with your grades? It turns out that your grades are often as much about how you navigate bureaucracy as they are about how smart you are, and who knows more about bureaucracy than lawyers? Whether you need help negotiating with a professor or filing a formal appeal to prevent dismissal from the university, Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team can defend your academic record and keep your education on track.
Academic Progression at the University of Illinois, Chicago
Your success in your courses is a matter of studying. You go to class, learn the material, write papers, and take exams. Success at the university level, though, has more to do with numbers. To remain in “good” academic standing, to “progress” from one term to the next, you need to earn a minimum 2.0 grade point. Should your GPA fall below that number in any given semester, you are placed immediately on “academic probation.”
In simple terms, academic probation means you're struggling with your coursework. Some schools and colleges at UIC also assign additional coursework or other requirements to students on probation, so you may have that to contend with. Your biggest concern when you're on probation, though, is making sure you meet the GPA standard by the end of the semester. If you continue to struggle and your GPA remains below 2.0, you then face the possibility of dismissal from the university.
Dismissal isn't always permanent, especially a first dismissal. UIC does offer a process for gaining readmission to the university. This involves submitting a petition to the dean of your school or college. However, reinstatement is not automatic, and should you continue to struggle academically, you can be permanently dismissed. You're always better off dealing with academic deficiencies early by challenging probation and dismissal decisions.
Dealing With Academic Standing Decisions
Academic standing decisions at the University of Illinois, Chicago, are in the hands of your school or college dean. The dean or their representative reviews your progress at the end of each semester. In most cases, their decisions aren't subject to review since those decisions are primarily based on numbers. That is, you either earn a high enough GPA to remain in “good” standing, or you don't.
However, there are a number of informal means of challenging an academic sanction.
- If your academic deficiencies are the result of a family crisis, an illness, or some other extenuating circumstance, you can appeal directly to the dean. However, you'll likely need to provide some documentation to prove this circumstance, and you'll want to make sure your appeal is well-written and based on a strong argument.
- If you feel you have been mistreated by an instructor, you should take your concerns to the instructor's department head or the dean. Again, you will need some proof to back up your assertions, but you may be entitled to a grade revision.
- It is always a good idea to keep track of your grades yourself. Faculty can and do make mistakes when it comes to calculating final grades. If you suspect your instructor may have miscalculated, you can always ask them to re-examine the numbers. How you ask, though, can play a big part in their willingness to cooperate.
- You can also try negotiating with an instructor for a higher grade. Grading is sometimes a subjective process, and you might simply ask them to re-evaluate your work. Perhaps you improved over the course of the semester, or your final exam score was higher than the rest of your coursework. You might have an argument to make that you mastered the material well enough to deserve a better grade. Again, though, how you present that argument is crucial.
- Some instructors are open to assigning extra-credit assignments or makeup work to help you raise your grade, particularly if your final average is on the cusp of a higher grade. Before you approach them, though, you'll want to have a very clear plan in mind for how you will meet course requirements.
When it comes to forestalling probation or dismissal, UIC may not tell you all the options available to you. Administrators are busy, and you're just one of several thousand students. Joseph D. Lento is focused on you. He can help you come up with a plan that's tailored to your specific situation, and he can help you put that plan into effect. He knows what evidence has the most impact when you're filing an appeal; he knows which negotiation tactics work best with faculty and administrators; he understands the UIC system and how to use it to your advantage.
Of course, if you should find yourself dismissed, Joseph D. Lento and his team are also experienced at submitting readmission petitions. They can help you document your academic strengths and develop an argument for why you deserve a second chance to prove yourself.
Premier Education Attorney-Advisor
You're used to thinking of your school as an ally. UIC educates you. It probably also feeds you and houses you. If you're facing probation or dismissal, though, you and your school are at odds, and if you're going to battle it effectively, you need someone on your side.
Joseph D. Lento built his career helping students just like you demand fair treatment from their schools. He understands how colleges and universities operate. He knows how to talk with faculty and administrators. He's skilled at collecting academic evidence and filing appeals. More important than anything else, though, Joseph D. Lento is on your side. He understands that no one is perfect, and he doesn't think that a few mistakes should keep you from earning your degree and going on to a successful career.
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.
