Yes, getting into college was an impressive feat. Do you know what a more impressive feat is? Graduating from college. University courses are seriously tough, and professors can be demanding. You absolutely have to be on your game, day in, day out, for four years.
It also helps to have someone from the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team on your side. Wait, you're saying, how exactly is an attorney supposed to help me keep my GPA up? We'll get into that as we go. For now, what you need to know is that we're on your side. We know how smart and capable you truly are, but we also know that life happens to all of us. When it does, we're here for you.
Academic Progression at the University of Kentucky
Every college and school at the University of Kentucky has its own academic standing policy. Those policies define what it takes to stay in Good standing and to make steady progress toward your degree. Most are similar to that of the College of Arts and Sciences, the largest college at the university.
- Good Standing: Good standing requires you to maintain no less than a 2.0 cumulative grade point average and that you consistently keep your term GPA above 2.0.
- Probation: UK places you on Academic Probation any time your cumulative GPA falls below 2.0. You can also receive probation for two consecutive semesters with a term GPA below 2.0, even if your cumulative GPA is still fine. Generally speaking, probation is a warning status. It doesn't, for example, show up on your permanent transcript. However, while on probation, you must visit the Advising Center before you can register for classes, and your goal while on probation should always be to return to Good standing.
- Suspension: A term GPA of less than 2.0 or three consecutive semesters with a term GPA below 2.0 will earn you a suspension. A first Suspension lasts for at least a semester, and in order to return, you must schedule a meeting with your college. At that meeting, you should be prepared to present concrete evidence that you are capable of academic success should you return. In other words, you don't get to come back to the UK just because you want to. You have to prove you deserve to come back.
A second Suspension lasts for at least two years. Readmission is exceedingly rare in these cases and granted only in “unusual circumstances.”
A third suspension is essentially a permanent dismissal from the university.
Dealing With Academic Sanctions
The attorneys of the Lento Law Firm Team are highly experienced in helping students apply for readmission. We know what sort of evidence tends to sway readmission committees, and we can help you highlight your best academic qualities.
The thing is, you're always better off avoiding suspension if you can help it. Even one semester away from the University of Kentucky can disrupt your studies. A semester away doesn't just throw your graduation schedule off. It's not easy getting back into the swing of classes once you've been away for a while. Plus, while you're serving your suspension, your student loans will likely come due.
Luckily, we know a number of useful strategies for avoiding suspension and, for that matter, probation.
- If your deficiencies are the result of extenuating circumstances, such as a family emergency or a hospitalization, you can appeal directly to the dean of your school or college for more time to improve.
- Low course grades can sometimes result from an academic misconduct accusation. Your instructors have the right to penalize you if they think you've cheated on an exam or plagiarized part of a paper. However, you have the right to challenge their decisions to the University Appeals Board.
- If you consistently struggle to pass your courses, you could be suffering from a learning disability. Disability Services can help you diagnose this disability and get you course accommodations as necessary. You may even be able to drop low course grades and retake those courses with accommodations in place.
- You might try asking your instructor for makeup or extra credit assignments. You may have to accept an Incomplete while you finish this work, but an I doesn't count against your GPA the way D's and F's do.
- Some faculty are willing to negotiate grades if you have a compelling argument. The fact that you improved over the course of the semester, for instance, could be grounds for a passing grade, even if your scores don't add up to a D.
- If you're being treated unfairly by an instructor, you should report that mistreatment to the instructor's department head as soon as possible. You may deserve higher grades than you're getting.
The attorneys at the Lento Law Firm have been helping students for a number of years. In all that time, we've come to know all the best tips and tricks for using the university system to your advantage. We can help you come up with the best solution for your particular situation and will work with you to implement that solution, whether that means helping you draft an appeal or coaching you on how to negotiate with professors.
What Can the Lento Law Firm Team Do for You?
Let's go back to that question you were asking in the introduction: 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 dealing with bureaucracy as it is about writing papers and taking exams. No one knows more about bureaucracy than attorneys, and no one knows more about how to handle educational bureaucracy than the attorneys at the Lento Law Firm. That team was assembled specifically to handle student conduct and academic progress issues.
The Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team is 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 Team today at 888-535-3686, or use our automated online form.
