If you've been a student at the University of South Florida for any length of time, you already know: it's not like taking high school classes. College courses are rigorous, and professors can be extremely demanding. Oh, and by the way, there's no one around to make sure you do your homework, to roust you out of bed in the morning, or to make sure you have a healthy breakfast before you take that important exam.
College is tough, so tough that not everyone makes it to graduation. Plenty of students drop out or are dismissed because they simply can't handle the academic pressure.
You don't have to face that pressure alone, though. Attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team are committed to helping students get the fair treatment they deserve and earn their degrees. They can't write your papers for you, and they're definitely not going to show up at your dorm to get you up in time for classes, but they know how the USF system works and can help you navigate it smoothly any time you run into trouble.
Academic Progression at the University of South Florida
What is the most common reason students drop out of USF? Academic struggles. Unlike high school, the university can dismiss you if you aren't making sufficient progress from one semester to the next.
What does “sufficient progress” mean, exactly? South Florida's academic standing policy requires you to maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0. Should you fall below that number, you are placed on Academic Probation. While on probation, you are subject to a hold on all registration. In order to sign up for courses the next semester, you must meet with an academic advisor.
Otherwise, though, Academic Probation doesn't have to be a burden. It doesn't appear on your transcript, and you aren't restricted from participating in university activities. Further, you may remain on Academic Probation until you return to good standing, so long as your term GPA remains above 2.0.
Should your term GPA fall below 2.0 while you are on probation, you are then dismissed entirely from the university.
USF does offer a process for appealing academic dismissal decisions. This process involves submitting a written description of your situation to the school's Provost. However, appeals are ordinarily only granted for extenuating circumstances, like a long-term illness or a family emergency.
In addition, you can apply for readmission to the university after a semester away. The school also offers an Academic Renewal option for students who return to study a different major. Some or all of your previous grades can be dropped from your GPA (though they remain on your transcript), allowing you to return to Good standing. Should you continue to struggle after you return, however, dismissal can become permanent.
Dealing With Academic Sanctions
Of course, there are no guarantees that an appeal or a petition for readmission will be successful. You're always far better off avoiding dismissal in the first place if you can.
How do you do that? Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team know a number of useful strategies for keeping your GPA above that 2.0 number.
- If you've suffered mistreatment in the classroom, you should bring this to the attention of your instructor's department head or, failing that, the dean of your school or college. You may be entitled to some form of grade relief.
- Students with disabilities are often entitled to course accommodations. If you have ADD, for example, you might need extra time to complete your assignments. If your instructor doesn't grant you these accommodations, you can appeal to Students With Disabilities Services.
- If you should discover you have a disability that wasn't previously diagnosed, you may be able to drop some course grades and retake those courses with accommodations in place.
- Low grades can be the result of academic misconduct allegations. If your instructor believes you've cheated, they can lower your grade on the assignment or lower your grade in the course. However, you have the right to challenge these decisions to an Academic Integrity Review Board.
- Some faculty are willing to assign extra credit and makeup work. If your grade is borderline, this can be one of the easiest ways to raise your GPA.
- In addition, some faculty are open to grade negotiation. If, for instance, you passed your final exam but not the course, you might try arguing that your exam score merits a higher course grade.
Whatever your particular situation, Joseph D. Lento and his Team can help you come up with a solution and put that solution into action. They are experienced with filing appeals; they have worked with students on readmission packets; they can help you gather documentary evidence of your abilities; they can coach you in negotiation tactics. If nothing else, they can let you know who you need to talk to and what you need to say.
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 attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law team. That team was assembled specifically to handle student conduct and academic progress issues.
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.
