Dropping below 12 hours

<p>My daughter is a freshman at Vandy. What are the consequences if my daughter drops a class and falls below the minimum 12 hour requirement? I know that financial aid will be affected but will there penalties by the school?</p>

<p>Also, if she is granted an Incomplete in a class due to medical reasons, how long does she have to finish it and must she be enrolled the following semester? </p>

<p>I'm just trying to understand the process and consequences as her health has not been good and causing difficulties.</p>

<p>MM</p>

<p>Read the undergraduate catalog.</p>

<p>" A course may not be dropped without authorization of the Administrative Committee or an advising dean if the student is left with a course load of fewer than 12 hours on a regularly graded basis." (p 98)</p>

<p>" When assigning an Incomplete, the instructor specifies (a) a deadline by which the I must be resolved and replaced by a permanent grade and (b) a default course grade that counts the missing work as zero. The deadline may be no later than the end of the next regular semester." (p 100)</p>

<p>AFAICT, you need permission to drop below 12 hours, but there’s no consequence, as long as it was for medical reasons. </p>

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<p>Please keep in mind that in some circumstances, Vanderbilt students repeat courses. Your undesirable grade shows on your transcript but only your second grade goes into your GPA. I think this is a very good and humane option for some students and the advisors make sure this is not an abused policy.<br>
Best wishes for your daughter as she sorts things out. Both of my sons dropped one course in their college years, granted earlier in the semester in the drop/add period and had to go to their academic deans for approval. Was one of those backbone building experiences as life does throw curve balls and they learned to pick themselves up and regroup and do-over. One son had mono…but went to too many frat rush parties and relapsed when he was almost well…and the other son thought he could study starting at midnight for science exams or to practice speeches that needed to be memorized–he did too many extra curriculars that were substantive and admirable at first and but he didn’t study enough and underestimated his need for study hours. Learning to manage your health and to experience your limitations is part of growing up even among students who had such high stats in high school.<br>
Both sons needed a little phone support/coaching to deal with their follies and health issues but managed these remedial plan appointments on their own two feet. One step up two steps back is part of the four years for so many students.<br>
Hang in there. Vanderbilt wants her to succeed. good luck getting things worked out in whatever way makes the most sense for her. Son had a friend who took a semester away and returned to graduate with his class…never fully explained but it is not that unusual. I feel these kids had to walk the straight and narrow for so many high school years…to get into schools like Vandy and they deserve support while they work things out.</p>

<p>Typically, dropping below 12 hours (without permission, and if not a senior) would mean the student failed to meet “Satisfactory Academic Progress” and would be placed on academic probation. I really can’t remember what the implications of that are, other than no pledging a sorority. I do not believe financial aid is immediately suspended-- Pretty sure you have another semester to meet SAP before it becomes suspended.</p>

<p>With health issues involved, who knows. I’m sure Vandy will be accommodating. These are definitely questions for the school and not for this forum.</p>

<p>" Students permitted to take fewer than 12 hours are placed on probation, unless their light load is necessary because of outside employment or illness." (p 96)</p>

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<p>Have your daughter meet with the Dean of Students for whichever Undergraduate school she’s in. For Peabody, it’s Monique Robinson-Wright, who is totally awesome. They’ll help her figure out her options as far as needing to drop a course for health reasons or to take a medical leave of absence if necessary. They also work with the professors to make accommodations for excessive absences and other issues.</p>