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
Hi Michelle going through the same issue. I was dismissed ffrom engineering appeal didn’t work. Tried to transfer into other easier colleges at my university but couldn’t get in because engineering sunk my gpa below a 2.0. Transfer is hard with below a 2 as well.
hi, i have a quick question. i submitted my appeal letter for academic dismissal, and the appeal got denied. what should i do next? is there any waus for me to get back to college?
hi, i have a quick question. i submitted my appeal letter for academic dismissal, and the appeal got denied. what should i do next?
Hi Vicki,
In 2001, I was academically dismissed from Rutgers after not attending any classes. All Fs. Community college, turned it around a bit, went back to Rutgers 2002. Academically dismissed again after 1 semester of not attending classes. 2 Fs and 3 Withdrawals. 2 more community college classes, passed, but I was done. Simply put, I was troubled and had no real sense of self or responsibility… I was a young fool.
Now, 10 years later, I have a limited but passionate self-taught skill set that has created a good reason and very strong desire for specific schooling. The lost kid who mindlessly wasted those opportunities has grown into himself in many ways, but the past follows me. Community college is an option, though my academic interests are generally not offered there and it would likely take even more than 2 semesters to pull my GPA up enough to transfer.
I wonder now, is it unheard-of for a school to remove marks from a students 10-year-old academic record? What aspect of a school’s administration would have the power to do something like that, assuming an incredible level of exception and kindness?
thank you – do they normally return to the same school ? or will other schools ACCEPT him after being on academic suspension? we are looking at small community college options now and time management courses online and anything that would help my son. In their appeal denial letter they mentioned he was very talented but preferred to be out on the field and he needs to correlate the two so he can earn a degree.
Hi Elena,
I’m sure both you and your son are feeling overwhelmed right now. Have you talked to him about what happened and what he thinks would be best for him during the next year? Unfortunately, there is no one answer – each student and each circumstance is different. Some students find that working gives them a change of perspective that is helpful. Perhaps your son could take one or two courses at a local community college at the same time. Small academic successes would boost his self-confidence and also show the college that he can do the academic work. He will also have to decide whether he wants to return to his school or transfer. He might investigate what credits would transfer and this might help his decision. Many students who are dismissed from school return after some time away with a new sense of purpose and then do very well. I hope that this is true for your son. Good luck!
Hi my son was recently placed on academic dismissal for a year- we were given the chance to appeal and then he was placed on suspension for 1 year. What do i do ? should he take community,onlnecollege courses?,should he tke the year off andwork? what happens to his scholarship? I am so confused- they said he can reapply agagin in a year – or is better to start fresh elsewhere. He attended sfaud santa fe arts and graphic design
Hi I was recently on academic probation but I got a 3.0 in my prevous semester but cumulative i have under a 1.75 but they put on my transcript scholasticly dismissed and I want to transfer to cal poly san Louis obispo what are my options
BTW I attend fullerton college
Hi Ally,
You have a good question, but it is one that is probably very specific to each school. You should check with your college to ask what their policy is. If it isn’t clear, I’d suggest going ahead and applying – there is no downside in trying. Good luck as you get back to school!
Hi
I was recently academically dismissed from my school a year ago and I was wondering if it was ok to apply for financial aid again since a year had passed.
Hi! I was dismissed last fall of 2011 from the university I was attending, but before I attended a community college and had just transferred a year before. As soon I started attending the university my relative passed away. After that my family had financial issues due to my family member getting injured that led to immediate surgery and no work for several months. I was attending full time school and working two jobs as well as an internship. I was a junior. My grades were not so good that fall and spring of 2011 I did not do well either because I was injured during an accident. I continued school in the hopes of finishing faster, but should have taken time off for myself and get better. I also was struggling with math classes becuase math and me don’t get along at all. I did study my butt off to do well, but did not meet the required gpa to get off of probation. I continued classes in the summer while going to therapy for my injury. Then in the fall of 2011, I was diagnosed with a disease that changed the way I eat everything. I was super depressed with my health and at the same time trying to save my parents house from bankruptcy. I was dismissed that fall of 2011. I have been very sad since. I did attend the community college I transferred from and ended up taking 5 classes and dropped 2 because I was diagnosed with other health issues. So currently I’m dealing with a lot of health issues where my doctor has asked me to take time off from school (a semester or so) but I really want to go back to school this Fall of 2012 and I have improved my study skills where I ended up on the Dean’s list at my community college. I am allowed to make an appeal at the Univeristy if I decide to go back, but I don’t know what to do. Am I suppose to write a letter explaining what happened or meet with an academic advisor? I’m really scared and nervous, but I have many reasons for why my grades weren’t good and that is due to personal family issues and health issues. I need some advice. What should I do? Thank you so much
Hi MD,
It is so difficult to determine what the next best step is for students who hit a major bump in the road. It sounds as though your son was managing well until this past semester? Has he looked into the possibility of appealing his dismissal? We have written a post about appeals that might prove helpful. If his school has an appeal policy, he might try pointing out his record until this point, explaining what went wrong this semester, and explaining what he has learned and what he will do differently moving forward. Obviously, if he can be allowed to continue next year that would be a good outcome. Transfer might be an option, depending on the school(s) he is considering, however, he may lose some credits because not everything would transfer. He could also check his school’s readmit policy. Many schools ask that students who have been dismissed take a year off and then they can apply for readmission. If that is the case, he might decide to take a break from school and work for a year and then return. This would change his timetable, but could also provide a year of valuable experience and maturity.
One of the important things is that both you and your son realize that there are options out there. It may take some strategizing and investigating as well as flexibility, but I am sure you and he will find a path that works. Good luck!
My son, dealing with personal issues, simply didn’t go to classes this spring semester while away at school. Obviously he failed all his classes, which brought his 2.3 gpa low enough for him to be dismissed from the university. This was his 4th year at the university, and is considered a 2nd semester junior, credit wise. We are looking for options. The source of his issues have been dealt with and he is looking to move forward and complete his degree.
I didn’t believe that cc was an option because he is on 300+ level classes. Didn’t know if transferring was an option, with his gpa being below 2.0.
Looking for any guidance that you might be able to provide us with.
Thanks in advance!
Hi Wanda,
One of the most important things is that you need to be sure that you understand what went wrong. Think carefully about why your GPA was so low and what would be needed to make things different next time. Be honest with yourself. Think carefully, too, about whether you are ready to jump right back in or whether a semester or year away from school, getting yourself ready and perhaps earning some extra money, might be helpful.
Next, I’d contact the admissions office at WCC and talk to them about your situation. Be honest about your record and the reasons that you did so poorly. It’s important that you not blame others, or even blame circumstances (although they may have been a factor), but that you take responsibility. Ask them whether they will admit you and whether financial aid would be possible. They will certainly be looking for some indication that this will be a new start and that things will be different.
If you are admitted, make a commitment to change and welcome the fresh start! Good luck!
Hi Addie,
As a general rule, it’s best to be honest and up front with any school about your past education experience. They may even ask to see a transcript. Accompany any information with an explanation of what you’ve been doing for the past year and why you think things will be different this time around. College admissions personnel understand that sometimes things go wrong, but that people and circumstances change.
Good luck with this second time around!