When you send your student off to college you hope and assume that he will be successful. Most students are successful and do well. However, some students struggle – either socially or academically. No parent wants to receive the news that his or her student has been academically dismissed from college because of poor performance. It is distressing and disheartening news. But it does happen, and parents need to help students deal with the situation. Although you may be disappointed, and possibly angry, your response may be a large factor in helping your student move forward.
Here are some things to consider if your college student is academically dismissed from college.
What does academic dismissal mean?
A student may be academically dismissed from a school for failure to make “satisfactory academic progress”. This may mean various things and may be defined differently by different schools. Generally, it means either that the student’s GPA or Grade Point Average is too low (she received poor grades) or that she has not made satisfactory progress by completing enough credits (she dropped or withdrew from too many courses each semester). A student who does not make satisfactory progress may then be dismissed or told that she can no longer be enrolled in the college.
Should your student appeal the decision?
In some cases, a college may allow a student to appeal the decision to dismiss. The purpose of the appeal is usually to allow the student to explain extenuating circumstances or to provide additional information that may not have been available at the time that the decision was made. He may be able to demonstrate that some circumstance has changed – perhaps a health situation, work situation, family situation, or even a change of focus or field of study. It is important that you and your student remember, however, that an appeal is meant as an exception and to demonstrate extraordinary circumstances. It is not meant as an avenue simply because the student is unhappy with the decision of the college. An appeal may not be in the best interest of the student.
Should your student apply immediately to another college?
If your student is dismissed, his first thought, and yours, may be to apply immediately to another school. This may be appropriate. However, before doing that, you and your student may need to consider what factors caused the problems that warranted his dismissal. Jumping immediately back in may not be the best solution.
Has your student taken time to reassess?
A student who is academically dismissed from college is not doomed to failure. You may need to help your student view this as a time to reassess his abilities, behaviors, and priorities. He was originally admitted to the college because of his abilities and potential, but something has prevented him from living up to that potential. Now is a time to step back and reevaluate. Before you and your student decide to immediately appeal the dismissal or to apply to a different school, consider carefully whether taking a break may be the best course of action for your student.
Would some time out be beneficial?
An academic dismissal from college happens for a reason. Something has prevented your student from succeeding. She may need your support more than ever now to think about how to proceed and how to use her time off. For many dismissed students, taking a break from their current routine and setting may be the best path to success, even if it involves an unexpected detour. Your student may decide to spend a year working to gain experience and perspective. Your student may decide to take a course or two at a local community college to achieve some success and/or explore a new area of study. Your student may need to move back home for a semester or a year to achieve some balance and focus. How you respond to this situation will help your student know how to respond. Helping your student see this as an important, if unplanned, step in her path will help her to use the time constructively.
Should your student apply for readmission or reinstatement?
In most cases of academic dismissal, the student may be eligible to apply for readmission or reinstatement after a certain period of time. This is different from appealing the decision at the time of dismissal. One thing that your student will have had time to consider during his time off is whether or not he wants to return to the same institution or to transfer to another college. If he wants to return, he should check the policy of his college. Most schools require that a student “sit out” for a semester or a year. When students apply for readmission, the college may be looking for certain factors. They will be looking for indications from the student that things will be different if he returns. He may be asked to submit a personal statement giving a compelling argument that he has addressed whatever challenges he had prior to dismissal. They may be looking for successful completion of some credits at a community college or some other institution. They may ask whether social, family, or personal issues have been addressed.
Is your student prepared for a fresh start?
If your student has used time off from his college productively, he may be ready to return to school with a renewed focus and a new outlook. Many students who have been dismissed return to their previous college – or another college – and are completely successful. Helping your student see this time as an opportunity rather than a set-back will mean that he can use the time off to his advantage. This may not be the path that either of you originally had in mind, but it may be a path that, in the long run, will be most beneficial to your student. Having your support as a parent will help him to discover and accomplish his goals.
Related Posts:
What FERPA Means for You and Your College Student
How Parents Can Help College Students Value Their Mistakes
Helping Your College Student Avoid “How Do I Tell My Parents?” Fears
What to Say to Your College Student Who is In Trouble, Dismissed, or On Probation
Academically Dismissed from College? Time for a Reset
Academically Dismissed from College? Ten Steps to Move On
My daughter was just denied access back into college for Low GPA. She has already attended CC and has Associates. She is going for bachelors in Biology degree. Her appeal was brought to two committees and denied by both. I plan to contact the university to see if there is any way she will be let back in, even if they will let her do a 1/2 semester trial. Is this an option. Has there ever been a case where someone has been denied and they let them immediately go back. Now, in her situation, she didn’t go last semester. She took time off, and was going to go back in the summer, which was denied. I feel very confident that her GPA will raise if allowed back in. Will a call to the university be a wasted since she just got the denial letter yesterday? She said there is no use in fighting it, decision made, but I say why not. She just entered into a 1 yr lease on a home and the only other close universities in our area are private colleges which are harder to get into and more expensive. I just don’t know what her options are. She thinks that if she takes off another semester she will be entirely too far behind.
Rawr –
It sounds as though you had an awful lot on your plate this semester. Before you try to take classes to improve your GPA, make sure that you have things settled. You want to be successful this time around!
Your good high school GPA indicates that you can be a good student but life circumstances got in the way.
There are many accredited institutions that offer online courses. If you do an internet search, I’m sure you will find some. An alternative is to look at community colleges in your area and take some classes there. Start slowly and work hard to be successful. This may not be the path that you planned, but it can work.
You might also want to see if you can volunteer or do some work with a local veterinarian. He/she may also be able to give you some guidance about good classes to be taking.
Good luck!
Also, I meant a four year school. Not grad school.
I academically dismissed from the University of Charleston. I appealed to my situation and explained how my mom had a heart attack and had been in the hospital the whole time I was in school. I was always driving the 2 hours home to take care of my mom because my siblings were too young and my dad was working and struggling to keep food on the table. I also had two jobs so I could send money to help my parents and pay for my tuition. Ontop of all that, I was in and out of the hospital a lot during the semester too. I was only there for one semester. I wasn’t put on any probation or given any warning. My appeal was denied. I found out my GPA dropped from a 3.9 during midterms to a 0.83. Mind you, I graduated high school with a 3.8 GPA. I want to be a Veterinarian eventually. Do you know of any online classes I can take to bring my GPA enough so I can apply to a grad school?
Angel –
You’ll need to look to see what is close to you. If there isn’t a school close to you, investigate online courses from reputable, accredited schools. Anything that you do that shows that you can do well with college level work will help you when you try to reapply later.
I have recently been academically suspended from my university. I am looking to still be in school no matter what, even if I do 6 week semester and start in March. And then transfer to another university or back to my old university in the fall. Is there any satellite universities or community colleges that I can still apply to?
Drea – This is definitely a question for the transfer office or registrar’s office at your current school. It is possible that there is a minimum acceptable grade for transferring credits and you may have been below that. It is also possible that someone has made a mistake or overlooked something. Ask to speak to someone who can look at your transcript with you and give you an explanation. And if you do find that you need to retake any courses, try to find your old notes and take advantage of having a head start on the material. Use this as an opportunity to do exceptionally well and increase your GPA.
Scott – Congratulations to your son on now feeling ready to tackle college. He is certainly not alone in finding that he wasn’t ready for college on his first try. If he attends a new college this time around, he will usually start with a clean slate for a GPA. That is certainly an advantage. Most colleges also expect to see all transcripts – even those that show a poor semester and carry no credits. I’d suggest that your son write a letter to go along with his application materials explaining what went wrong, what he has done in the meantime, and why he now feels ready. Colleges realize that students can mature during some time away. Regarding financial aid, I’d speak directly to the college financial aid office. They are your best source of accurate information. Good luck to your son!
I was academically dismissed from a UC after my freshman year and right away enrolled at a community college. About to start my second semester and realized that I have to take classes that I took at the UC and passed. I turned in a transcript at the community college, is there a reason my credits did not transfer?
Hi-
I have a 19 year old son who came out of High School with a 3.4 GPA. He was always a very good student athlete. In 2013, he enrolled at a local college and bombed out. I didn’t realize it, but he wasn’t the least bit ready for college. Although he wasn’t a party guy…he simply didn’t attend his classes and he flunked all four. He pulled out of school and entered the workforce. After a little over a year of working tough blue collar work..he has matured and wants to return to school. The change in him is very evident. My questions are: can he still financial aid…and can he get a clean slate by attending a different college? Lastly, when applying to a new school…should he disclose his freshman fiasco or simply provide his high school transcripts? Thanks for your help!
Rodney,
Rather than trying to guess whether the community college will accept you, the best thing to do is to go and talk to someone in the admission or transfer office. They will tell you exactly what their policies are and whether you should enroll as a degree or non-degree student. It’s the best way to get the most accurate information. And I’d also suggest that you talk to your advisor at your current school or someone in the registrar to get assurance that they will accept your credits when you apply to be readmitted. Again, don’t try to guess. Get the straight information from the college. Good luck! I’m sure you’ll be back on track soon.
hey
i am a senior who was recently dismissed due to my low GPA(1.79). i am considering taking half of what i need left to graduate at a community college before i re-apply for readmission in a year. my question is would a community college accept me with my low GPA? would i apply as a non degree student?
Jennifer –
I am not familiar with the UC system, so I’m afraid I don’t know what to suggest. From your description, it does sound as though remaining int he system and transferring directly might make sense. It is good that you called the school, but I would suggest that your daughter try to meet with someone both at her current school and the school to which she would like to transfer to see what they suggest. Let them help her through the process.
Andy –
Congratulations on completing your Associate’s Degree! That is an accomplishment. Most colleges will look at your whole history, but will certainly weigh your most recent history more heavily than an obvious rough beginning – especially with a change of major. Many students have difficulty at the beginning of their college career but then are able to find success later.
Don’t try to guess whether the University will accept you – talk to them! Make an appointment to meet with an admissions counselor even before you apply. Take transcripts and explain your situation and ask what you should do and what they think your chances are. Of course they will probably not be able to guarantee anything, but hearing your story in person will help – plus you will have an idea of your chances.
And remember, too, that there are many colleges out there. Consider applying to more than one. Good luck!
Sanya –
Please see my comment above to Shawna. Your friend’s situation is very similar. Start by talking to someone at the school and then at local community colleges. Taking a class or two is probably preferable to an internship, because it will demonstrate classroom success. Online classes would certainly be an option – just be sure that it is an accredited school.