What is it they say? Nothing in life is certain except for death and taxes. That includes college graduation. You worked hard to get into Wake Forest, and you should be commended for that, but getting in isn't the same as graduating. For that, you're going to have put in four years of hard work—studying, going to class, taking exams, and writing papers.
And, as at any other school, if you can't keep your grades up, there are consequences. You can be put on probation, suspended, and even expelled for poor academic performance.
Of course, none of us is perfect. A mistake or two shouldn't prevent you from finishing your degree at Wake Forest and going on to a successful career. Attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lent and his Education Law Team want to make sure it doesn't. They've worked on hundreds of academic progression cases, helping students demonstrate their value and worth to their universities and working to ensure their academic futures remain secure. They know the law, and they know your school's operating procedures. If you're struggling academically, you owe it to yourself to see just what Joseph D. Lento and his Team can do for you.
Academic Progression at Wake Forest University
Every university has what's called an “academic standing” policy. This policy is in place to alert you if you begin to struggle with your coursework. However, its purpose is more than informational. It's punitive as well. Any time you fall out of “good” standing, you're subject to academic sanctions.
The primary qualification for good standing at WFU is the grade point. You are expected to earn a minimum cumulative GPA based on where you are in your degree.
- If you have fewer than 30 hours, you must keep your GPA above 1.6.
- If you have between 30 and 60 hours, your GPA must be above 1.7.
- Between 60 and 90 hours, you must earn at least a 1.8.
- Above 90 hours, your cumulative GPA must be at least 1.9.
Should your GPA fall below these levels, you are then subject to Academic Probation. While on probation, you have one semester to meet good standing requirements. Otherwise, you then face Academic Suspension. It is also worth noting that you can be placed on probation or suspended at any time if your school or college deems you guilty of “academic irresponsibility.” In other words, you're expected to attend class, take exams, and complete work on time, no matter what your grades.
You can apply for readmission after you've been suspended. However, you must remain away from the university for at least one semester. During that time, no coursework you take at another institution can be transferred to WF. In addition, application for admission requires you to complete an “intentional plan” explaining exactly what happened to cause your academic deficiencies and what you will do to correct your problems. And note: your return is by no means guaranteed. An unsuccessful application generally means permanent dismissal from Wake Forest.
Dealing With Academic Standing Decisions
If you have been dealing with extenuating circumstances, such as a family emergency, or a long-term illness, you can apply to the Committee on Academic Affairs (CAA) for additional time to improve. Otherwise, however, there are no formal means of contesting an academic standing decision. Wake Forest regards your GPA as a matter of objective fact and doesn't consider that the circumstances of that GPA are open to debate.
However, that doesn't mean you must simply throw up your hands and accept an academic sanction. You do have a number of informal options for dealing with the situation.
- A disability can be grounds for special treatment in the classroom. If you suffer from ADD, for example, you may be entitled to extra time to complete assignments. Even if your disability was not diagnosed when you were taking the course, you may still be able to appeal your grades.
- You can and should report any classroom mistreatment to either the instructor's department head or the dean of your school or college. Such treatment may also be grounds for a grade revision.
- If your low grade in a course was caused by an accusation of academic misconduct such as cheating or plagiarism, you have the right to contest your instructor's findings to the Honors and Ethics Council.
- Some instructors are open to the idea of assigning extra credit or makeup work. This is especially true if your grade is borderline and you only need a few points to make up the difference.
- Likewise, some faculty are willing to negotiate grades. You might ask a professor to reconsider all of your work from a semester, for instance. Or, you might try arguing that your high final exam score is evidence that you deserve a higher course grade.
Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team are familiar with all of these and other options for addressing issues of low GPA. They can work with you to gather evidence of your ability. They can help you draft documents and put together appeals. They know who to talk to at Wake Forest and what to say to give you the best chance of convincing a professor or administrator to reconsider your academic performance.
And, if worse comes to worst, and you do find yourself suspended, they've also worked on readmission packets.
Premier Education Attorney-Advisor, Joseph D. Lento
Students sometimes ask: 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 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 Education Law team. That team was assembled specifically to handle student conduct and academic progress issues.
Attorney Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm 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.
