Possible Academic Dismissal, What do I do?

<p>Hey, this is my first post here and i didn't know where else to go to ask for help. </p>

<p>I was accepted this fall to my university this fall and I was accepted under academic probation due to my GPA. They account all classes you've taken and take your entire GPA instead of not counting low scores that have been recently replaced with higher grades. I think alot of colleges do this anyways. </p>

<p>Well I got off to a great start this semester and then really blew it half way through. I let laziness get the best of me, and I'm not really sure how I just stop caring. I've changed my day to day schedule to better help me focus on school(stopped the drinking for a couple weeks now, limited the video games, definitely no drugs). So now i'm salvaging what I can to try to atleast keep my GPA higher and pass some of the classes I am taking. Exams are next week and I haven't stopped studying.</p>

<p>Now Academic dismissal at my school is if you don't get higher than a 2.0 GPA while on academic probation. I think what i'm looking at after finals next week is 3 C's and a D. I'm not really sure what i can do about it. Teacher doesn't seem like he wants to help me and I can't blame him, because i do not deserve it after my performance. As much as I think I have changed and am ready to do well next semester, it's hard to convince teachers this towards the end of the semester because they're probably heard this same sad story each semester.</p>

<p>So my question leads to, what do I do? They have an appeal process at my school, but it doesn't seem promising to me. I will quote it here in my post so you guys can look at it and tell me what you think. </p>

<p>Also, what would my options be if i do get dismissed? Do i just sit out for a semester? Or do I go to a technical college for a semester and take whatever classes I can transfer back? Oh I should mention I have 45 credit hours that I earned at another institution before coming to this school this fall.</p>

<p>
[QUOTE]

In accordance with University policy, dismissal is automatic when a student's grade point average falls below the minimum specified in the Catalog. Exceptions to this policy are granted very infrequently and only in cases where the student can demonstrate extraordinary circumstances at the time the academic difficulty was encountered. Such circumstances as “working too many hours” or “personal problems” are insufficient reasons for an exception to University policy. If you believe your situation is unique and truly involves extenuating circumstances, you may petition the Academic Standing Committee. The Committee will consider your appeal based solely on the information you submit with this form. The Committee will not interview students; therefore, it is necessary to be thorough. After the Committee has reviewed your appeal, the decision will be rendered in writing. APPEAL INSTRUCTIONS A complete Dismissal Appeal Packet consists of the following items: o Appeal Form completed and signed by the student (typewritten) o Typewritten appeal for consideration •State any unusual circumstances which resulted in your dismissal from the University. Supporting documentation (medical, etc.) is required to substantiate extraordinary circumstances impacting academic performance. •State why the policy of the University should be set aside in your case. •Have you attended another college or university since last enrolled at Kennesaw State University? If yes, attach a copy of the transcript to this appeal and request that an official copy be sent to the Office of the Registrar. •Describe for the Committee steps you have taken to improve academically during the time you have been dismissed I understand that incomplete packets, illegible copies or handwritten appeals will not be reviewed by the appeals committee. I further understand it is my responsibility to submit a complete appeals packet as described above to the Office of the Registrar by the appeal deadline. Appeals Packets will not be accepted after the posted deadline. Student Signature _________________________________________
Phone Number
Address City State
Term and Year Dissmissed
Zip
@students.kennesaw.edu
Undergraduate Student
Graduate Student
Current Date
FIRST DISMISSAL
SECOND DISMISSAL
THIRD DISMISSAL
REASON FOR APPEAL
Students who are dismissed are not in good academic standing and are not eligible for immediate readmission. First Dismissal A student may be considered for readmission after an absence of one semester or summer term. Second Dismissal A student may be considered for readmission after an absence of one calendar year from the end of the semester or summer term in which the second dismissal occurred. Third Dismissal A student will not be eligible for readmission after a third dismissal.

[/QUOTE]
</p>

<p>That quote is probably a pain to read so I thank you guys for your patience and help.</p>

<p>What are you studying? What would you take at the technical college?</p>

<p>Is there any way you could drop the class that you are getting a D in and pour on the effort for one of the other classes to get one grade up to a B?</p>

<p>I’m studying computer science, but i could take some general education classes like maybe some history course and hopefully engineering calculus 2 if it’s offered. </p>

<p>I can’t drop the class because i’ve past the withdraw date. I was thinking about asking for an incomplete, but i’m not sure how those work. Also, it’s very unlikely i could bump anything up to a B at this point.</p>

<p>Maybe you need a break. A low GPA will be a problem when looking for a job. Most engineering/CS job listings I’ve seen have specified a 3.0 to even get an interview.</p>

<p>Sounds like you haven’t done well at 2 schools. Maybe you’re just not ready? Could be you need time to mature and get serious. Maybe a job?</p>

<p>I have to agree with the comments by 2college2college. Go out and get a job, and grow up a little. Consider that maybe you have a substance abuse problem, since it sounds like that might have contributed to your mess. Quitting for a couple of weeks helps, but only in the short run.</p>

<p>My GPA was low because of my beginning terms of college. They took it into consideration when averaging my GPA. My cumulative GPA is a 2.6. I can definitely pull that up to a 3.0. I just had a bad semester and was on academic probation because this school takes all grades into consideration, even if you’ve retaken the course and replaced the grade with a higher one. I’m 23 years old and I understand the value of education. This situation has been a real wake up call and I’m more motivated than ever to get my school done. I don’t want to waste anymore time.</p>

<p>Well, then it looks like you’ll be taking a term off. I’m not sure I’d take classes at a technical college. You don’t want to jump around too much, and few tech schools will have the respect of companies hiring engineers. I could be wrong as I don’t know the specific school.</p>

<p>What state are you in? Are there community colleges where you could take a few classes?Do you go to a public college?</p>

<p>I’m in Atlanta, Georgia and i goto kennesaw state university. I don’t know this area very well at all I just moved here last august.</p>

<p>Unless you can get that D up to a C, you’ll probably have to take the probation. I don’t see any reason why they might grant an appeal - usually those are for extenuating circumstances, and they were already giving you a chance when they accepted you on probation.</p>

<p>Unlike the others, though, I think that you should take your semester to take a few classes at a community college while working. Kennesaw State is a public university, so they will likely take the community college classes for credit. Maybe you can take 2 classes during that semester (GEs) and then work a job either part time or full-time? Sometimes the working will give you some focus and prepare you for what it’s like to work in the ‘real world’ after college.</p>

<p>Ah that’s unfortunate, I wasn’t sure how often these appeals go through. I suppose it wouldn’t hurt if I filled one anyways right? Kennesaw accepted 45 of my credits from a community college before I transferred so I am sure they will accept 2-4 more from a local one. I’m not familiar with any reputable community colleges in Atlanta, Georgia so if anyone could recommend any, please do.</p>

<p>Now to my understanding, I would not be considered a KSU student while on academic dismissal, so I have to apply to the school as if I was a new student? Are my chances of getting back in slimmer than before or does that depend on my performance at the 2 year school?</p>

<p>I read somewhere that other schools don’t accept students that are currently on academic dismissal? I was thinking about just sticking with the technical college for the spring and summer semesters and knock out 2 physics, calc 2 and 3, and some gen ed, hopefully increase my GPA and apply to Clemson which is closer to my home town and would be better for me financially. If I’m only dismissed for a semester does it go off my record once summer goes around? I don’t think I’m fully understanding how this academic dismissal situation works.</p>

<p>What would be the basis for your appeal? I was drinking and doing too many drugs?</p>

<p>I didn’t do any drugs and I didn’t drink that much, really just on the weekends. I just moved down here and I don’t have any friends or family down here. I was just lazy and skipped alot of classes and didn’t get my work turned in. It’s the first time I’ve been taking classes that didn’t have an attendance policy and I abused it.</p>

<p>which of these classes could you most likely raise your grade with a good performance on the final? You need to contact the profs of those classes to find out how you can raise your grades.</p>

<p>If you have trouble with discipline in the absence of a mandatory structure, then I would suggest voluntarily building structure into your life. It’s the “adult” thing to do.</p>

<ul>
<li>make a rule to attend every class. Only break it for a very good reason</li>
<li>make a rule to always turn homework in on time</li>
<li>find a study partner</li>
<li>keep a daily calendar with tasks and submit to it.</li>
</ul>