You got into the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, and that's no small accomplishment. If there was any justice in the world, you could relax now. After all, you've proven you are smart and disciplined. You should be able to take courses at your own pace without worrying about deadlines or exams.
Unfortunately, education doesn't work that way. The truth is, things are only going to get harder over the next four years. UMN is a great school, and you can expect to be held to the highest standards of scholarship while you're there. In fact, just to make sure you live up to these standards, the school maintains an academic standing policy, and if you can't meet the requirements of this policy, you can quickly find yourself on academic probation or even dismissed entirely.
If you're struggling to meet those requirements, you should know that there's help available out there. National Student Defense Attorney-Advisor Joseph D. Lento is committed to the idea that a mistake or two shouldn't stand in the way of you graduating and going on to a successful career. Whether you're dealing with an unfair accusation of plagiarism or a professor who just doesn't seem to like you, Joseph D. Lento has the knowledge and experience to make sure you're treated fairly and that you have every opportunity to earn your degree.
Academic Progression at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
The requirements for “good” academic standing at the University of Minnesota are relatively straightforward. You must maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average. If you fall below that number at any point, you're placed on academic probation.
Probation can be a hassle. For instance, UMN puts a hold on your academic record and requires you to meet with an advisor before you can register for classes. The larger concern when you are on probation, though, is meeting the requirements to return to good standing. In fact, some schools and colleges at the university require you to sign a contract while on probation, agreeing to meet certain additional academic requirements beyond that 2.0 cumulative GPA.
Generally speaking, as long as your term GPA is above 2.0, you can remain at the school on probation, even if your cumulative GPA remains below 2.0. However, if your term GPA falls as well, or if you fail to meet any contract requirements, UMN then suspends you.
Suspensions last for a full academic year, and even then, your return is not guaranteed. You must go through a readmission process that involves proving that you can succeed in your academic program despite your deficiencies. And, should you return, you do so on probationary status, and ultimately you can be dismissed entirely from the university if you continue to struggle.
Dealing With Academic Standing Decisions
Your school or college at UMN reviews your academic record at the end of each semester and makes all decisions regarding standing. Generally speaking, these decisions are not open to review since they are based almost exclusively on your GPA.
However, there are informal means of responding to the threat of dismissal.
- If extenuating circumstances, like a serious illness or a family crisis, caused your deficiencies, you can appeal directly to the dean of your school or college. Sometimes such circumstances are grounds for additional probation rather than suspension or dismissal.
- A low GPA is sometimes the result of a simple grading error. Faculty can and do make mistakes when it comes to recording, figuring, and reporting grades. It's a good idea to keep copies of all your work and records of your grades in case there is ever a discrepancy.
- If an instructor is treating you unfairly, you have the right to complain to that instructor's department head or, failing that, to the dean of your college. You may be entitled to grade relief.
- If your low grade in a course is related to an accusation of academic misconduct, you have a right to appeal your instructor's decisions to UMN's Committee on Academic Integrity. Even if you admit to the misconduct, you can still appeal the severity of the sanction.
- Faculty are sometimes open to the possibility of grade negotiation. If, for example, you have a passing final exam score, you might argue that this demonstrates you mastered the material from the semester, even if your semester average is low.
- Some instructors are also willing to assign extra credit, especially if your grade is borderline and you are facing suspension or dismissal. Often, this means accepting an Incomplete (I) until you've finished the assignments, but an I is better than an F, and it may be enough to prevent probation or suspension.
Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team are highly experienced at handling issues of academic standing. They've helped hundreds of students put together plans to prevent academic sanctions. They know the processes for filing appeals, they are skilled at gathering evidence, and they know what arguments are most effective in these cases. They can help you decide who to talk to and what to say. They can coach you in negotiation tactics. And, if you should wind up suspended, they also know how to craft a persuasive readmission petition.
Premier Education Attorney-Advisor, Joseph D. Lento
Students sometimes ask: how can an attorney possibly help me deal with an academic problem? It's a fair question. After all, it's not like they can attend classes for you or take your exams.
Succeeding at college, though, 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. He built his practice handling student conduct and academic progress issues.
More important than anything else, Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law 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.
