College isn't like high school, is it? OK, so maybe both involve taking classes. University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh classes are a bit tougher than your high school classes, though, right? And university professors can make even the crustiest high school teacher seem like a sweetheart.
The bottom line is that it's not easy to keep your GPA up at UWO. What do you do if it should slip a bit—or more than a bit?
You contact the Lento Law Firm. We know what you're saying: how is a lawyer supposed to help me with my grade point? It turns out that a lot of college success has to do with learning how to navigate the university system, knowing who to call when you have a problem, for instance, and what to say. No one understands bureaucracy better than attorneys. And no firm of attorneys in the country deals with educational bureaucracy better than the Lento Law Firm. Our Education Law Team knows the law. We also know how UWO operates. We can guide you through your degree from start to finish and make sure you're treated fairly at every step of the way.
What can we do for you? Call 888-535-3686 to find out, or take a little time now and tell us about your situation.
Academic Progression at the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh
“Academic progress”? What is this “academic progress” you speak of?
You learned about grade points and grade point averages back in high school. College adds an extra degree of difficulty: you're required to keep your GPA above certain levels,, and when you fall below those levels, you face consequences, sometimes serious ones.
You'll find all of this explained in UWO's academic standing policy. Here's the condensed version.
- Good Standing: This is where you want to be. At UWO, it means keeping your GPA above 2.0. As long as you do that, you're considered to be making steady progress towards your degree.
- Probation: UWO's standing policy can get complicated, and there are actually six different kinds of probation. All you really need to know, though, is that you're placed on probation any time your GPA falls below 2.0. You can remain on probation for up to two semesters while you try to return to Good standing. A third semester below 2.0, though, and you face suspension.
- Suspension: UWO places you on suspension any time your GPA remains below 2.0 for more than two consecutive semesters or any time your GPA should fall below 1.0. Suspensions last for a minimum of one semester and, if relevant, a summer term as well.
You can return to UWO after a suspension. However, when you return, you're placed on probation, and you have just one semester to return to good standing, or you face an additional suspension.
Keep in mind, as well, that most students struggle when they return from suspension, and many wind up leaving school altogether. It can be difficult to get back in the academic swing of things once you've been away.
Dealing With Academic Standing Decisions
If your academic deficiencies are the result of extenuating circumstances, such as a long illness or a family emergency, you can appeal a suspension and ask for more time to improve. You must have supporting documentation, and there are time limits on submitting such appeals, so it's important you act quickly. Your Lento Law Firm attorney can walk you through the entire process and make sure that your materials are all in order.
The better path, though, is to avoid suspension altogether if you possibly can. Your Lento Law Firm attorney has some suggestions on how to do this as well. For example:
- If you struggle in most of your classes, it could be you have an undiagnosed learning disability, like ADD or ADHD. We can help you get tested, and if it turns out you do have a disability, we can work with UWO to get you the course accommodations you need. You might be entitled to extra time to complete assignments, for instance, or to use special technology. Once those accommodations are in place, we'll petition UWO to drop low grades from your transcript. That will keep you in good standing. Then, you can retake those courses for replacement grades.
- You may occasionally come across an instructor who seems biased against you for some reason. You should report any unfair treatment to your instructor's department head. This can be grounds for filing a formal grade appeal.
- If you've been given a low grade because of an academic misconduct allegation—cheating, for instance, or plagiarism--there's a separate process for appealing your instructor's decisions. Here again, you deserve the grade you've earned, and you shouldn't accept anything less.
- Faculty are sometimes willing to offer extra credit or make up assignments to students with borderline grades. This can be a quick way to make up grade points and raise your GPA.
- You can also try negotiating with faculty on other grounds if you think you have a strong enough argument. For instance, even if you've failed a course, you could try convincing a professor you deserve to pass because of your improvement during the semester. That's if, of course, you have actually shown improvement.
The important point is that you are not alone if you're struggling academically. The attorneys at the Lento Law Firm know many strategies for keeping your GPA up. We'll sit down with you and go over your situation. Then, we'll work with you to come up with a plan, and we'll help you to implement it. We're on your side, and we want to see you succeed.
What Can the Lento Law Firm Do For You?
Your University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh diploma is far more than just a piece of paper. It's your avenue to a successful career. If it's under threat, you can't afford to try and handle the problem by yourself. University processes and procedures can be complex and difficult to navigate, and often, you will find the system is stacked against you. You need the very best help you can get, someone who is in your corner and ready to fight on your behalf.
The Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team has helped hundreds of students, just like you, respond to academic issues and make it to graduation. What can we do for you? To find out, call us today at 888-535-3686 or use our online form.
