What To Do If Your Student Is Academically Dismissed From College

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

 


330 thoughts on “What To Do If Your Student Is Academically Dismissed From College”

  1. hi I attend clinton community college in 2012 it was my first semester I had no finiacial aid or anything I paid out of pocket for my own education, at the end of the fall semester I got dismissed , and it hurt really bad :/ I sent the apeal and I’m still here waiting for a reaponse from them , I put in it that i will pay for my own. Expense and I will pay for everything out of pocket do u think they will accept me back knowing the fact it was my first semester there ? And my first semester in college ?

    Reply
  2. James, the best option for you is to fulfill the requirements for your probation/dismissal, get re-accepted to your previous school, and go back and do better. Once your gpa is above 2.0 you can then consider changing schools. As long as you are not in good standing at your previous university, you cannot be accepted to another university.

    Brent, really, the same applies to you. Before you can attend another university you must be in good standing with your last. The only way to get yourself back in school is to pay your outstanding tuition, fulfill the terms of your dismissal, and do what you need to do to get re-accepted. Then you can decide whether to change schools, or keep going at your current school.

    Reply
  3. Hi, i have been academically dismissed from school for the first time. At the same time i still have a remaining balance at the university i have been attending. having that balance stops me from receiving my transcripts to present at another university for this upcoming spring semester. What can i do to get back in school before my loans need to be paid in the 6 months of my absence from my former university?

    Reply
  4. hi, im having the same situation as well. i was on probation for 6 months from my community college, then they sent me a letter stating that i was dismissed from the college. i decided to apply to other community colleges but i was also denied entrance because i had a gpa below 2.0 which is the requirements. i need to get back to school. i know what i did was wrong and dull, but now i know whats right.

    Reply
  5. Hello, My son was a freshman last year at anelite East Coast school. We live in CA. While on the East Coast he became very depressed, was self medicating and ultimately was was suspended due to poor grades. This fall he has been in intensive treatment and has been attending a local CC and has been doing very well with both school and his health. He has decided to apply to a nearby school as a Freshmen where he had previously been accepted and even given a scholarship. Any advice on how to present this situation to the new school? Thanks

    Reply
  6. Hi, I am currently on an appeal plan B I am passing my classes with a 2.8 gpa, but I have an Incomplete for one class this semester. According to the stipulations in the appeal I have to pass all my classes to keep financial aid for next semester. So far I have been told the Incomplete will make me ineligible for financial aid as it has no grade yet, so because of personal reasons I was unable to finish 1 class out of my many this semester and now I am being cut off even though it will be receiving a grade in a few weeks. Is there anything I can do?

    Reply
  7. I actively dropped from a CSU due to my poor performance there. I feel that I need a fresh start, so after some time, I enrolled in a community college. Being there, I realized what I really wanted to do in life, but I am finding it discouraging. I want to become a physician. I know I am capable of doing so. During my time at the CSU, I struggled with depression and suicide and it’s reflected in my grades. I know I am better than that, but will a UC see that? Any advice?

    Reply
  8. Thanks for your comment, Tina. You make a good point about checking the requirements at any school a student decides to apply to. Each school is different and it’s important not to make assumptions. It is important that students know that they have options – but they’ll need to do their homework to be sure they understand those options clearly.

    Reply
  9. One thing everyone needs to keep in mind is that, often, if you are academically dismissed from one college or university, you are considered to be no longer a student in good standing. For most SACS accredited universities, one of the admission requirements is that you be in good standing with your previous university. Even if you want to change schools, you may have to petition to be reinstated at your old school first.
    If you would like to discuss this with me, just send me an e-mail at tprovo@troy.edu

    Reply
  10. Hi Vicki,

    I’m from another country with a different school curriculum, but i still hope you can provide me with some insight.

    I took up BS-Civil Engineering in a prestigious school. It was a course I only took because I had several friends there. As a result, I had low grades, withdrawals, and failing marks. I decided to stop for a year to sort things out. I also ended up working for a while.

    I made up my mind to transfer to a different university for a fresh start. This time I took up BS-Tourism Management, a course that I really love. Although I had subjects that could have been credited, I just took everything again. I wanted to make things right, so that’s why I didn’t mind becoming a “freshman” again. Never did I imagine that things would turn around for me. I’ve been a dean’s lister every semester. Now that I’m graduating, I can actually be a candidate to be magna cum laude. However, there is a section in our school handbook that can possibly prevent me from doing so:

    “No failing grade in any subject (in TUA or in another school) prescribed by the curriculum and must have been in residence for at least two (2) years immediately prior to graduation. In computation of the final average of students who are candidates for graduation with honors, only resident credits shall be included…”

    Am I still considered a transferee even after I haven’t credited my grades from my previous university and started as a freshman again? I know it’s really up to the school to deliberate on my case. But knowing that I was determined to change my life for the better and did well academically for 4 years in my new school, I truly believe I deserve to become magna cum laude and make my parents proud of me. I want to fight for it, and I hope you can help me. Thanks!

    Reply
  11. Being up front and honest with your parents is almost always a better idea than trying to hide something this important. They will find out eventually, and the longer you try to hide the truth the more difficult things will become. Every situation is different, but consider being honest about what happened. Take responsibility. It might also help if you have given some thought to what will change now and what your plan is. Don’t be afraid to ask for their help in planning your next steps. You may be surprised at how supportive your parents can be as long as you are honest and direct about the truth. Good luck!

    Reply
  12. I have been withdrawn from my tertiary
    institution and I don’t know how to break this news to my parents. I cant also continue to hide it from them and im so confused. I need help

    Reply
  13. What if I have descent GPA, but last term I got an F grade on one of my classes which put me in academic dismissal. Lets say I decided not to do the appeal, how many units do I have to take/pass this semester in order to get my financial aid back?

    Reply
  14. Hi Michelle,
    Good for you for continuing to work at your education in spite of an unexpected detour. Because every college/university is slightly different in terms of what they will accept in transfer, or what it takes to get readmitted, I’d suggest that you contact the admission office of the university you’d like to transfer back to. They can tell you what they will look for when you apply for readmission. They may also give you some guidance about what courses would be best for you to take as part of your Associates degree. Communicating early and often with the admissions staff also shows interest in the university.

    Good luck!

    Reply

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