You work hard, collect good grades in high school, get work experience and recommendation letters from great personalities, to finally get a chance to study in the college of your dreams. But, suddenly, you are being removed from the institution because of a mistake.
Academic dismissal is the biggest nightmare for a college student. Losing the chance to complete a graduate program is a life-changing event for anyone. It disrupts your education, potentially ruins your career and future, and impacts your personal life significantly.
If you get a dismissal order from your school, you need to contact an academic dismissal attorney as soon as possible. An attorney can help you understand why you are facing the charges and what options you have to get out of this situation. Without an attorney, you might feel lost and do something to worsen your situation. Check their website now.
1. What actions can result in academic dismissal?
Academic dismissal is when a student fails to keep up with their school’s standards by continually performing badly academically. In simple words, a continuous poor academic performance can lead to dismissal from school. Every school has certain standards that it wishes to uphold to maintain its reputation and its students.
If the school sees that a student is threatening to ruin their reputation and image in society by poor performance, they will give that student a warning. It is noteworthy that a school or college does not easily dismiss you for getting bad grades. Educational institutions usually give you a few warnings or notices before finally taking the harsh step.
Therefore, you do not have to worry about getting removed from school because you failed your math class one time, nor will it be legal for the institution to do so. Instead, you will be dismissed due to an ongoing pattern of terrible grades or marks. If you have been failing continuously for multiple semesters, you must change your grades if you want to stay in school.
2. Is there any solution?
The good news is most schools allow you one more chance to get back in school. If you are dismissed for poor academic performance, you can appeal this decision to the school’s board or committee that oversees these matters. However, you may first need to check whether your university has such a committee at all.
If they do, you will be given one last chance to request the school to take you back. The school will schedule a hearing where the board will ask you a few questions. Here, you need to tell them the real reasons why you could not perform up to the mark and how you are planning on correcting the situation once and if you are given one more chance.
It is absolutely important to answer their questions honestly. For example, the committee is certainly going to ask you the reason behind your bad grades. If you were struggling with a drug problem or partying too much or were distracted by something else, you must state it clearly.
The committee is more likely to believe your real answers. Experienced people know when a person is telling them a made-up reason and are not interested in giving a dishonest person another chance. Another thing you must take care of is preparing a plan.
During the hearing, the committee will ask you how you plan to correct the situation. You must work with your attorney to prepare a good and realistic plan that you can actually stick to. Making unrealistic promises will again do nothing but make the committee lose faith in your appeal.
3. What can convince the school to take you back?
Two reasons that usually convince the school to retract the dismissal is:
- Factual error
- Extenuating factors
Factual errors are due to clerical mistakes on the school’s part. If you can prove the error, the school will clear your dismissal. For example, if you can prove that the teacher who graded your paper had done it incorrectly and that you deserve better grades, you may get your seat back in the college.
Extenuating factors are life incidents that could have affected your academic performance, such as financial troubles, mental health issues, etc. If you were going through a hard time because of the death of a beloved family member, experiencing depression due to the same, or underwent a life-threatening accident, the school/college should consider your situation.
The family ground is another ground for retracting the dismissal order. Under this category, if a substantial crisis occurred in the family, for instance, the death of a close relative, a student has a reasonable explanation for lack of attention to academics. Under such circumstances, the school will give you a fresh start by letting you enroll for the next semester.
4. What is the role of an attorney?
There are so many technical details regarding the appeal process. You must apply for the appeal within the time limit and present a reasonable explanation. You also need to fill out dozens of paperwork at the right time and make sure that all information is correct.
Your lawyer can help you strategize your appeal and find out the best way forward. They can help you prepare the best answers to the committee’s questions. They will also help you understand the importance of the appeal process and your legal rights.
Concluding thoughts
The academic dismissal appeal process is your last chance to continue your education at the college. If you mess it up, you will end up losing your opportunity to graduate and go for higher education. A dismissal in your academic record could also jitter your future employment.
You should not think twice about hiring an experienced attorney when it comes to your career and future. When your future is on the line, you should not waste time thinking about what is right and wrong. Instead, let an expert handle the things while you prepare yourself for the hearing.
An attorney can help lift a burden off your chest and save you time. You can use this time to reflect on what has happened and why. You can also take some out to create a plan to ensure better grades next time.
