College isn't like high school. OK, it's a little like high school. You're still taking courses, for instance, and you've still got instructors. Those courses are a lot tougher, though, and those instructors are a lot more demanding. There's also an academic standing policy. According to that policy, you need to keep your GPA above 2.0. Your high school could make you retake courses, but there were no penalties if your GPA fell too low. No one could kick you out, no matter how badly you were doing. At West Chester University (WCU), you can be put on probation or even dismissed if you can't keep your grades up.
So, what do you do if you're struggling? What do you do when you hit that one semester that's just too tough, or you go through a tough breakup with your significant other, or your computer explodes and takes all your coursework with it?
You call the attorneys at the LLF Law Firm. Our Education Law Team has been working with students for a number of years. We know how WCU operates and how to help you navigate the bureaucracy. Need to know who to talk to about your learning disability? Need to know which office deals with family emergencies? We've got the answers. We also know all the tips and tricks to keep your GPA out of the danger zone.
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 West Chester University
We mentioned academic standing policies. Just what does West Chester University's policy have to say?
- Good Standing: Let's start with good standing. That's basically where you need to be. Good standing means you're doing what you need to in order to get to graduation. There are no penalties; you just keep doing what you're doing. What does it take to be in good standing? A cumulative grade point average above 2.0.
- Academic Warning: What happens if your GPA falls below the magic 2.0 number? The first thing that happens is that WCU issues you an academic warning. As part of warning status, you are required to meet with an advisor and complete an Academic Progress Plan. Importantly, warnings are not noted on your transcript. Obviously, should you raise your GPA above 2.0 by the end of the term, you return to good standing. Should you fail to do that, you are then placed on academic probation.
- Academic Probation: If your GPA remains below 2.0 after a semester on academic warning status, you are then placed on academic probation. This is recorded on your transcript. Again, you must take steps to improve—meeting with an advisor and putting together a plan for success.
- Academic Dismissal: Finally, if you continue to struggle while on probation, you are then subject to total dismissal from WCU. You can reapply for admission, but you must wait for a minimum of one academic year before you can do so, and your return is not guaranteed.
Dealing With Academic Standing Decisions
West Chester University offers students who have been dismissed the opportunity to appeal that dismissal if they can show that they've made improvements during their probationary semester and if they are mathematically capable of returning to good standing after an additional semester of “extended probation.”
If this is the situation you find yourself in, your LLF Law Firm attorney can work with you to gather evidence of your abilities and draft your appeal. We know what appeals committees look for in these documents and how to make you look your very best on paper.
However, you're always better off avoiding dismissal in the first place if you possibly can. We know a number of useful strategies for doing this as well.
- If your academic deficiencies are the result of extenuating circumstances, such as a serious illness or a death in the family, you can try appealing directly to your college dean for additional time to improve.
- Any time you feel you are being mistreated by an instructor, you should report that immediately to your instructor's department head. Unfair treatment can be grounds for a grade revision.
- Consistently low grades can be a sign of a learning disability. Should you be diagnosed with such a disability, you are entitled to course accommodations where necessary. In addition, you can petition WCU to drop your lower grades and allow you to retake those courses.
- If an instructor is trying to lower your grade as the result of an academic misconduct allegation, you have the right to fight their allegations and to make your case before the Academic Integrity Board.
- You can always try negotiating directly with instructors. Some faculty are willing to consider persuasive arguments. If, for instance, your final exam grade was especially high, you might ask them to use it as your course grade.
- The easiest type of negotiation is to ask for extra credit or makeup work. You may need to take an Incomplete while you finish these assignments, but an “I” doesn't count against you the way “D”s and “F”s do.
Your LLF Law Firm attorney will sit down with you and review your entire academic situation. Based on that situation, they'll recommend a specific course of action. They'll also help you to implement that course of action, whether you need help negotiating with an instructor, you need to put together a formal appeal, or you just want to know how to contact disability services.
What Can the LLF Law Firm Do For You?
Your WCU 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 LLF 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.
