You got into the University of Oklahoma. That takes brains and perseverance. The school doesn't just give diplomas away, though, so you're going to have to put in even more hard work if you expect to earn your degree.
No problem. You're up to the challenge, right? The thing is, you're also trying to learn how to adult—how to set your own boundaries, stick to a schedule, and make good choices. Things will go wrong; maybe lots of things. It's not always easy to worry about your grade point when you're still trying to figure out how to separate your colors from your whites.
What do you do when you hit that one tough semester and your GPA takes a nose dive?
You contact attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team. They don't just know the law; they know the University of Oklahoma system. They know exactly who to talk to when you're in trouble and what to say. They also believe in you and your potential. They're committed to the idea that you deserve a chance to graduate even if you make a few mistakes along the way. So, if you're struggling with academic issues, you owe it to yourself to find out: what can Joseph D. Lento and his team do for you?
Academic Progression at the University of Oklahoma
All universities maintain something called an “academic standing policy.” It tells you exactly what's required to keep moving forward in your degree program, and it sets penalties when you don't meet those requirements. Think of it as extra motivation to study hard and get to class.
The Sooner policy is relatively straightforward. If you're somewhere between 0 and 30 hours, you need to maintain a minimum 1.7 cumulative grade point average. If you're over 30 hours into your degree, you need to maintain a 2.0.
As long as you meet these marks, you remain in “good” standing. What happens if you don't?
First, you wind up on “academic probation.” Your particular college or school may have special requirements when you're on probation, like a limit on the number of hours you can take, or a mandatory seminar on study skills. Your more important concern when you're on probation, though, is to get off of it. To do that, you have to get back to that 2.0 cumulative GPA level again.
The good news is, you don't have to return to good standing right away. You can continue on probation as long as you keep your semester GPA above 2.0. Fail to do that, though, and you can wind up suspended.
Academic suspension lasts for a minimum of one semester, and to gain readmission, you have to submit an application including a formal letter of appeal.
The university doesn't say what happens if you continue to struggle after returning from suspension. You can guess, though, that at some point you can find yourself permanently dismissed.
Dealing With Academic Standing Decisions
Your goal should be to avoid an academic sanction if you possibly can. Not only do probation and suspension interrupt your studies and throw your graduation trajectory off track, they can wind up on your transcript, and that can cause you significant problems when it comes time to apply for that all-important first job.
Unfortunately, the University of Oklahoma doesn't offer any formal means of challenging a standing decision. As far as the school's concerned, your GPA is your GPA, and that's that. However, Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team know a number of ways to respond to the threat of a sanction.
- If your deficiencies are the result of extenuating circumstances—a serious illness, for instance, or a family crisis—you can try appealing directly to your school or college dean.
- If you're looking to boost your GPA before you're put on probation or suspended, you can take a summer course at another institution. Your good grades transfer in.
- You have the right to fair and equal treatment in the classroom. If you feel an instructor is mistreating you in any way, you should bring this to the attention of the instructor's department head.
- If you have a disability, you may be entitled to course accommodations. If you're denied these accommodations, you can argue for some form of grade relief.
- Low grades can also be caused by an accusation of academic misconduct. If your instructor decides you've been cheating, and lowered your grade as a result, you have the right to appeal these decisions to the school's Integrity Council.
- If your grade is borderline, it's worth asking your instructor to consider assigning you makeup or extra credit work. You'll likely have to take an Incomplete for the course until you finish, but an I doesn't count against your GPA.
- Some faculty are open to the possibility of grade negotiation. Think your high final exam grade merits a higher grade in the course? Sit down and talk with your professor about it.
Your advisor won't explain all of these options to you. They may not even be aware of some of them. Joseph D. Lento and his team, though, are focused on you and your success. They can help you decide on an effective plan and work with you to put that plan into action. They'll help you gather evidence of your academic ability, show you how to draft effective grade appeals, even coach you in the art of negotiation if you need it.
Already been suspended? They can also help you put together an appeal package. They know what admission committees are looking for and how to make you look your best on paper.
Premier Education Attorney-Advisor, Joseph D. Lento
Students ask all the time: How is an attorney supposed to help me make it through college? It's a fair question. After all, 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.
The thing is, 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 Educational Law team. That team was assembled specifically to handle student conduct and academic progress issues.
Attorney 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.
