It's a hard lesson to learn for some students: college success isn't necessarily about being the smartest in your classes or even being the hardest working. Plenty of bright, hard-working students run into trouble in college. Maybe calculus just doesn't make sense to them. Maybe they encounter a professor who just doesn't seem to like them. Maybe they go through a depression and just can't seem to make it to class. These things happen.
Earning good grades and keeping your GPA up can sometimes have as much to do with navigating the system as with acing exams. A university like Western Kentucky is a system, and you have to know how to work the system.
That's why if you're struggling to meet academic progress standards at WKU, you should consider contacting the Lento Law Firm. We can't take your exams for you or write your papers. We can tell you who to contact when you need to miss class for a funeral, though. We can help you draft a grade appeal. We can make sure WKU accepts your AP credit. No one knows bureaucracy better than attorneys, and no one knows education bureaucracy like the Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team.
We can't help you, though, if you don't call. Call 888-535-3686 today, or take a little time now and tell us about your situation.
Academic Progression at Western Kentucky University
You came to Western Kentucky to be a student, so you can't really be surprised when the university holds you to that. You may not have realized, though, that there are clearly established standards you must meet or that there are firm consequences when you fail to meet them.
According to the WKU academic standing policy, “good” standing, which is where you want to be, requires you maintain a minimum grade point average based on how many hours you've completed.
- Up to 17 hours, you need a 1.7.
- Between 18 and 34 hours, you need a 1.8.
- Between 34 and 41 hours, you need a 1.9.
- Above 41 hours, you need a 2.0.
Your term GPA is important as well. Should it fall below 2.0, you'll be issued an academic warning. You remain in good standing, but the university wants you to know you're in danger of more serious consequences.
- Academic Probation: If your cumulative GPA falls below the minimum required for good standing, WKU places you on academic probation. As part of probation, you must complete a Best Expectation Program (BEP) through the Academic Advising and Retention Center (AARC). In addition, you must keep your term GPA above the 2.0 mark while you're on probation. As long as you do that, you can remain on probation as long as it takes you to return to good standing.
- Academic Dismissal: A term GPA below 2.0 while you're on probation, though, will earn you dismissal. Dismissal means total separation from WKU for a minimum of one year. You can apply for readmission, but you must meet typical WKU admission standards before you are allowed to return. Multiple dismissals can also result in permanent dismissal from the university.
Dealing With Academic Standing Decisions
If you're facing dismissal, WKU offers an appeals process. Documents should be submitted to the Academic Dismissal Appeal Committee and should include evidence of any extenuating circumstances that may have led to your academic deficiencies. The attorneys at the Lento Law Firm are experienced at filing such appeals and can help you organize your evidence and draft your paperwork.
The thing is, you're always better off if you can avoid reaching the point of dismissal in the first place. You don't want to have to go through the process of appeal and worry whether the committee will grant you another probationary semester or not.
Luckily, the attorneys at the Lento Law Firm also know a number of more informal options for avoiding academic sanctions like probation and dismissal.
- Low grades can be a sign of a learning disability like ADD, ADHD, or dyslexia. Your Lento Law Firm attorney can work with you to get tested and ensure that WKU gives you the course accommodations you need. They can also help you petition the university to drop low grades from the transcript. Then, you can retake those courses without penalty.
- Even if you don't have a disability, Western Kentucky will allow you to retake courses for revised credit. There's also a renewal program if you need to drop all your previous coursework and start fresh.
- Low grades can be the result of academic misconduct allegations. If your instructor believes you've cheated or committed plagiarism, they can lower your grade on the assignment or for the course. They even have the power to fail you outright. However, you can appeal their decisions. Even if you're guilty of misconduct, you can protest the severity of the sanction.
- If you feel an instructor has mistreated you in some way, you may be entitled to appeal your grade. You should report all such mistreatment to your instructors' department heads.
- Some faculty are open to the possibility of grade negotiation. If you have a compelling argument to make, you may be able to convince a professor to raise your grade. For instance, you might ask them to use your final exam score as your course grade if it is higher.
- You can also try asking instructors for makeup or extra credit assignments. It could be that an essay rewrite or extra lab work could be all you need to get your grades up.
At the Lento Law Firm, we're committed to your educational success. No matter what situation you're facing, we'll sit down with you, go over your options, and work with you to come up with a plan for moving forward. In addition, you can count on us to help you put that plan into action.
And if the worst should happen and you should wind up dismissed from WKU, we're also highly experienced at filing readmission packages.
What Can the Lento Law Firm Do for You?
Your Western Kentucky University 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.
