A low GPA can happen to anyone, especially someone who's trying to learn how to become an adult at the same time they're in college. After all, how are you supposed to worry about prepping for the big chemistry test on Friday when you need to deal with the fact that you've turned all your underwear pink?
The thing is, you can probably recover from one low grade on a test, but what if it's more than that? There are consequences when your grades fall. In the most serious instances, a low GPA can even mean expulsion. What do you do if it happens to you?
First, you don't panic. Academic sanctions like probation and dismissal are serious business, but you can handle them with the right help. What's the right help? The attorneys at the Lento Law Firm. Their Education Law Team has helped hundreds of students over the years, and with all that experience, they've learned a thing or two about how to avoid university sanctions and keep their grades up.
So, the very minute your grades dip a little—or even just if you just think they might be on the way to dipping—don't wait. Call 888-535-3686 to find out how the Lento Law Firm can help, or use our automated online form.
Academic Progression at Western Michigan University
There are lots of ways to define “college success”: a good job once you're done, a clear sense of yourself and who you are, a picture of you with Central Michigan's mascot head hung on your dorm wall. There is actually a literal definition, though: Good standing. As long as you're in Good standing, you're making steady progress towards your degree. Fall out of Good standing, and life can get complicated.
Here's more of what Western Michigan University's academic standing policy has to say about college success.
- Good Standing: This means you're maintaining a cumulative grade point average above 2.0. That's it. Do that, and you're a success.
- Academic Warning: Any time your term GPA falls below 2.0, you're issued an Academic Warning. You remain in Good standing, but WMU wants you to know you're struggling a little.
- Academic Probation: This is a more serious status. It means your cumulative GPA has dropped. You can return to Good standing, of course, by raising your cumulative GPA back above 2.0. You can also be dismissed, though, if your term GPA falls below 2.0.
- Extended Academic Probation: Manage to earn a 2.0 term GPA, and you can remain on Probation even if your cumulative GPA remains too low. Again, though, a low term GPA means dismissal.
- Final Academic Probation: You have yet one more chance to avoid dismissal when you're on Extended Academic Probation. Once again, if you can earn a 2.0-term GPA, you are placed on Final Academic Probation. However, as the name implies, this is your last chance to avoid Dismissal.
- Academic Dismissal: If at any point while on Probation, your term GPA should fall below 2.0, or if you should reach the end of Final Probation without returning to Good standing, Western Michigan then dismisses you entirely.
Dismissals last for a minimum of one full 15-week semester. After that, you can negotiate with your college for terms that might allow you to return. Often, for instance, you may be required to take courses at a community college during your dismissal period. It is also the case, though, that you could be denied reentry, in which case, your dismissal becomes permanent.
Dealing With Academic Standing Decisions
The Registrar's Office at Western Michigan makes no mention of a formal appeals process. Sanctions are based entirely on your GPA, and the school isn't willing to debate your grades with you.
You don't have to simply accept an academic sanction, though. The Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team knows a number of tips and tricks for avoiding warnings, probations, and dismissals. For example,
- If you can point to extenuating circumstances as the cause of your low GPA, you may be able to get an extra semester to improve. Contact the dean of your college and find out how to submit an informal appeal.
- If you consistently struggle to earn good grades, you could have an undiagnosed learning disability. Disability Services can help you find out. This office can also work with professors to set up course accommodations if you need them. You may even be able to drop low grades and retake those courses without penalty.
- A low grade can be the result of a disciplinary sanction. Your instructors have the authority to penalize you if they think you've committed plagiarism or cheated on an exam. However, you can challenge their allegations. In fact, even if you admit to the misconduct, you can still try arguing that the punishment is unfair.
- Mistreatment in the classroom is grounds for a grade appeal. Any time you feel like an instructor is treating you unfairly, you should report them to their department head.
- Some faculty will consider makeup or extra credit assignments, especially if you have a borderline grade. Typically, you have to ask for such assignments, but it could be that one paper re-write or a makeup lab could be enough to raise your GPA above the 2.0 mark.
- Faculty are also occasionally willing to negotiate for grades if you have a compelling argument. For instance, maybe your final exam grade was higher than your course grade. You could try asking your instructor to use it in place of your course grade.
Your advisors may not tell you about all the options open to you. They usually have dozens of students to work with, and they don't have the time to come up with solutions just for you. And the truth is, they may not even know about some of these options. The attorneys at the Lento Law Firm do. They're not just well-versed in the law; they know the ins and outs of the Western Michigan system. They know who to talk to when they have a problem, they know what to say, and they know how to say it.
They're also dedicated to your success. They'll sit down with you and review your particular circumstances, and they'll help you come up with a workable plan. More importantly, though, they'll also help you to put that plan into action, whether that means drafting appeals on your behalf or teaching you how to negotiate with professors.
What Can the Lento Law Firm Do for You?
Your Western Michigan University diploma is 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. And you don't have to. The Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team is here for you. Before you reach the point of Dismissal or even Probation, call the firm today at 888-535-3686 or use the automated online form.
