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 academically dismissed Sring 2014. She’s never used financial because I paid out of pocket for 2 consecutive semesters. Is it possible for her to receive financial aid even if we’ve never used it before ?
Madheshwaran –
The best thing that you can do is talk to someone at the college. Ask what you need to do to be readmitted and what documentation you need. You may be asked to spend a semester or a year away before you reapply. Ask them whether they would recommend anything that you do during that year. Perhaps take some classes at a local college. Each college has different policies, so the best thing that you can do is to talk to them directly.
Good luck!
I have poor attendance in this semester 5 , and i was de-bar by my college (GCE,SALEM) for the reason of poor attendance , but i have 7.1 CGPA since my previuos 4 semesters . Then how get rejoin my college ? (if any mediccal certificate required?)
I have poor attendance in this semester 5 , and i was de-bar by my college (GCE,SALEM) for the reason of poor attendance , but i have 7.1 CGPA since my previuos 4 semesters . Then how get rejoin my college ? (if any mediccal certificate required?)
Serina,
Your situation sounds very complex. The intricacies of the individual instructor’s policies are very unique to each instructor. It sounds as though the department or Dean are involved and looking at class policies, which is good.
I think your best option is to work closely with the Dean or an advisor at the school. Ask them about options for returning after some time away. Then use the time away to gain experience by working. This means that it will not be wasted time but will add to your resume.
Sometimes the path to succeed is not the path that we planned, but will lead us to where we want to be eventually. Do some thinking about your goals and how, once you return, you can be sure to do well. Good luck!
Allison –
Tell your parents what is going on. It is not easy to do, but it is not a secret that you’ll be able to keep and it is creating added pressure for you. Be honest and take ownership of the problem, but get it out in the open. They will probably be upset, but may be more supportive than you think. They may be able to help you think about options.
The rule about taking some time away is intended to give you some time to think about what went wrong and be able to get ready to return and succeed. Finding a job is good – it will help relieve some of the financial burden plus give you some experience. You might investigate the option of taking a class or two at a local college. Then when you apply for readmission or apply to a new school, you’ll have some success on your transcript. Use the time away to think about your ultimate goals and motivation as well. Good luck!
Hi Vicki, I need advice because I am think about suing my college.
This is my story, my final semester in college and I was taking 3 classes and I have a 360 degrees in my life, lost my Dad, brother and going through divorce with 2 children. I failed my first exam very bad and I went to my instructor and asked her for an advise, she side I could drop the class but that was not my option. I tried very hard and pass the second exam with a very good score, I found out that this same instructor let some classmate that fail the second exam retook it in groups. When I asked her she wanted nothing to do with me but at the end of the semester things get heat up and the Dean was involved, so they let all including the ones that already have the opportunity to retake the test and the instructor will award the highest score you have. They let us take the exam together and all of us have the same answers but I found out we all have a different grades. I do believe that we have every answer correct on that exam. An exam that I already have 90%, she end up giving me 92% and and all I needed is 93% to pass the class. There was a girl who failed the exam and was awarded this second opportunity and she got 93%. So I ended up failing the class. I retook class and the same instructor, what she did different this time was before going in to take the exam, she will give the answers to the difficult questions and people will pass the exams. I ended up passing. My problem now is there is another class that I already pass with an A+ but for you to have your grade, you have to pass a computer predictor test with a 95% or you fail the class. I have 93% and because of this I have fail out of school. If you fail 2 courses you failed out of school. This was my final year at school, I did appeal but I received a denial. What should I do next?
HI , I need advice on how to move forward.
I haven’t told my parents about my academic dismissal because I feel like they would be mad at me and wouldn’t support me. I graduated from my local community college with a 3.1 gpa but once I transfer . I decided to go away from college but it seem it was a big mistake because I couldn’t understand any of the material and managed to be dismiss from the college. I try to enroll to a local four year college but there a rule that says that I need to wait for a year in order to enroll? Any other advice I might do for my free time? I am currently looking for a job but I think I need to do more than just that.
Hello. I went to my financial aid office at my community college & I have to write an appeal because I don’t have gpa requirments or something like that. Around 2012 I didn’t show up to none of my classes because I was sick for weeks & I was just wondering will I be able to transfer to a different school without having to write an appeal or will the school I transfer to will have me to write one anyways?
Denise –
Good for you for your persistence. Sometimes having some time away helps you to be ready for that commitment to make it work. You probably want to write a letter to the Dean or Appeals Committee to explain why you want to return and how you plan to approach things differently this time. Be sure to be honest about what went wrong before and be specific about your plan of action this time.
Good luck!
I was dismissed from a community college. I appealed the dismissal but I am no longer eligible for financial aid at that school. I am currently reapply to the school. And I have to make another appeal for academic continuance because I took a two year break from the school. During the break I got three certificates but I cant find a job in the field I am certified in and my only option is to go back to school. I am ready to commit to college. Do you think that world help the dean determine my eligible for financial aid?
Sam –
It is obvious that your son is struggling a lot right now. It is also obvious that you care a lot and want the best for him. It is a difficult situation for both of you.
What is not clear from your comment is what your son truly wants. Have you and he had a frank discussion about what went wrong to cause his grades to go down so drastically? You say “something went wrong again” and “that college is not working for him” but it is essential that your son be able to pinpoint what the problem was and why things didn’t work. Since he was doing so well at his first school, it is clearly not his ability. Until he is clear about the problem, it is not going to be corrected – no matter where he goes. He may even need to take a little time off – and work for a little while – to give him time to find his focus before he returns to the classroom.
I am sure there is a school out there that will accept your son – even with his past difficulties, but a bit of time away may help. He will also need to be very clear with himself and with them about how things will be different this time. Perhaps the college will not be as selective as his first two schools, but it is important that the match feel right AND that he be committed to making it work. If the transfer to the more prestigious college was not his idea, he may not have been as committed to making it work as he needed to be.
Have your son continue to look for options. This will take some work. He will need to look for schools and contact the admissions office to talk to them about his situation. It is important that he take control of this process. If he doesn’t do the work to find a college that will accept him, that may be an indication that he isn’t ready to continue just yet.
Be patient. Keep communicating. Be flexible. Encourage your son to find a path that excites and motivates him. Good luck to you both.
I need help as a concerning parent. MY Son got admitted to state college after HS and he was doing 4.0 in that college. Since he was doing exceptionally well i forced him to take transfer to more prestigious college beginning his sophomore year, after one semester his grades dropped below minimum limit and he was dismissed for one semester. Fortunately college took him back after the appeal and contract to do well in future. But something went wrong again and he as academic dismissed second time due to poor scores. Need advise on what to do now.. He is very simple boy but seems like that college is not working for him.. He has completed 88 credits and even the community college does not have courses in hin area of major. He is trying to get into previous college where he was doing great but college is not taking transfer because of Academic dismissal on his records. Please suggest what to do. I do not want him to send to current college also because he done poorly twice but can take that option too because of no courses in community college and no transfer available in other good colleges due to academic hold. Please suggest (Vicci) what to do Colleges are not giving right answers. . Please help
Ella,
Since this is the first time that your GPA has fallen below 2.0, your school wants to be sure that this is not a trend, but rather an exception. Give some careful thought to explaining not only what went wrong, but what your plan is to make things better next semester.
As far as a reference from your counselor is concerned, can you contact your counselor by e-mail and ask for a statement? You may not need to see him/her in person. If it isn’t possible to obtain a statement from him/her before your deadline, I’d suggest submitting your piece (very carefully done and proofread) and explaining that you cannot reach your counselor. Ask them what you should do. I am sure they will help you.
Good luck!
Hi,
I got an ademic dismissal from my school. My total GPA was 1.9, and this is my first time in to below 2.00. So my school asked, I have to write a pice of paper about writing why my GPA is low and what’s happened to me during the semester in order to go back school, and I have to submit a paper until August 1st for Fall semester or January 1st for Spring semester. But I’m an international student, so they asked me on more thing a counselor’s comment about me. So I can fix it by my self, however I’m not in the U.S. that is why I have a problem.. I will go back U.S August 28, which means after fall semester submitting date.. I can write a paper my part, but the counselor’s comment is gonna be blank. I have no idea what I do in here.. please help me out.