No one gets through college entirely unscathed. No one. At some point, you'll run into a professor with a chip on their shoulder, or you'll go through a bad breakup, or a relative will die, or you'll wreck your car. Life always finds a way to intervene and make concentrating on your coursework difficult, if not impossible. Your goal shouldn't be to avoid trouble—you can't—but rather to know how to deal with it when it shows up.
It helps if you know exactly what's expected of you, just what you need to do to keep moving forward at Worcester Polytechnic. Below, you'll find a detailed explanation of the school's academic standing policy. It's a place to start from.
It's not always easy to take on your school alone, though. Processes and procedures can be complex and difficult to navigate. So, in addition to knowing the expectations, you also need to know how to get help when you need it.
Attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team understand Worcester's system. They know who to talk to when you have a problem and what to say. They can help guide you through formal procedures for handling academic issues; they can also suggest informal strategies you may not have thought of. So, find out all you can about what you're facing, but know that your best chance of success is to make sure you have Joseph D. Lento and his Team on your side when trouble comes knocking.
Academic Progression at Worcester Polytechnic Institute
What exactly defines academic progress, and what can happen if your school decides that you're not making enough of it? Worcester Polytechnic, like all other institutes of higher education, maintains an academic standing policy that lays out all the relevant details. Here's what that policy has to say.
The main requirement as a student at WPI is to earn 4/3 units of academic credit during both the fall and spring semesters (A and B terms; C and D terms). Earning credit, of course, requires signing up for enough courses and completing those courses with passing grades.
Your progress is evaluated after every semester, and should you fail to meet requirements, you are then subject to academic sanctions.
- Academic Warning: The first sanction level is “warning.” You can continue on warning status for up to two terms.
- Academic Probation: If you cannot meet good standing requirements while on warning status, you are then subject to “probation.” While on probation, you are prohibited from participating in any sports teams. In addition, you are ineligible to receive financial aid. Probation, like a warning, can last for two terms.
- Academic Suspension: If you continue to struggle while on probation, you are then suspended from school for at least two terms. You can gain readmission by petitioning the Committee on Academic Operations (CAO). However, your return is subject to approval by this committee and is not guaranteed.
Dealing With Academic Standing Decisions
WPI actually allows students to petition for relief from any academic sanction, including warning, probation, and suspension. This petition process involves submitting official forms to the CAO that explain what led to your academic struggles and what you plan to do to correct them. In addition, you are encouraged to supply documentation of your situation. Successful petitions generally offer some evidence of extenuating circumstances, such as a family emergency or a serious illness. You may also want to consider getting letters of support from faculty who can speak to your ability.
Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team have helped hundreds of students file petitions. They know what the CAO looks for, and they're experienced at putting together convincing documentation.
However, the solution to an academic sanction isn't always a formal petition. Joseph D. Lento and his Team also know a number of informal strategies for responding to sanctions.
- You are entitled to fair treatment from all your instructors. If at any time you feel you're being treated unfairly, you should bring this to the attention of your instructor's department head. You may be entitled to some form of grade relief.
- Any disability, whether physical or learning-based, can entitle you to course modifications. You may have different assignments from other students, for instance, or be given more time to complete assignments. If you're denied those modifications, you have a right to appeal your course grades.
- If your low grade in a course is the result of an academic misconduct accusation, you can challenge your instructor's decisions at a Student Conduct Hearing.
- If your grade in a class is borderline, you can always ask your instructor for makeup or extra credit assignments. Some faculty are more open to this request than others.
- Likewise, you can try simply negotiating with your instructors. Not all will be willing to listen, but some will take compelling arguments into account. If you failed a course, for instance, but did well on the final exam, you might argue that this final score suggests you mastered the course material enough to pass.
Whatever your particular situation, Joseph D. Lento and his Team can help map out a plan for dealing with it. More importantly, they can help you implement that plan. Maybe you need help tracking down evidence for a petition. Maybe you want some coaching in negotiation tactics. Joseph D. Lento and his Team are committed to your success and to doing whatever it takes to keep your academic career on track.
Premier Education Attorney-Advisor, Joseph D. Lento
Students often ask: How can an attorney help you make it through college? It's a fair question. After all, 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 Educational Law Team. That team was assembled specifically to handle student conduct and academic progress issues.
Joseph D. Lento and his 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.
