A: Being placed on probation means that your current cumulative grade point average is below the minimum required gpa. If you do not raise your cumulative gpa to the required minimum of 2.0, it will not be possible to graduate. The College of Charleston wants to help make sure you will be able to graduate. When your grades are too low, you are placed on probation so you will know that your grades are too low and so you can seek the help you need to get your academic career turned in the right direction.

A: EDLS 100 - Learning Strategies - is a class that is designed to help you understand why you may have had so much trouble succeeding in class, and help you develop some of the tools and skills necessary to be successful. Some of the things you will learn include: how to take notes more effectively; how to study more effectively; how to better manage your time so you have enough time to study; what resources are available to help you; and, how to set realistic goals and expectations for your academic success.

A: You must raise your cumulative grade point average to the required level, depending on the number of hours you have earned. If you have earned between 1-19 credit hours, your grade point average must be at least 1.5; if you have earned between 20-59 credit hours, your grade point average must be at least 1.8; if you have earned 60 or more credit hours, your grade point average must be at least 2.0. Remember, in order to graduate, both your cumulative grade point average and your grade point average in your major must be at least 2.0.

A: You can use the calculation tool on the probation page to calculate the minimum grade point you will have to earn to get off probation. Depending on your current grade point average and the number of credits you are currently taking, it may not be mathematically possible to get off probation in a single semester.

A: YES! There are a number of resources on campus to help you. For example:

Advising Center - 953-5981

The Advising Center provides advising for all students until they officially declare a major. Throughout the semester you can meet with your assigned advisor to discuss your classes, difficulties you may be having, resources that can assist you, and appropriate classes for you to be taking.

Career Services - 953-5692

Career Services can provide information to you to help you choose a major that is appropriate for you, explore possible career areas that might be of interest to you, and help you better understand the value of a liberal arts education regardless of the major you choose.

Center for Disability Services - 953-1491

The Center for Disability Services works with students who think they may need to get tested for possible learning disabilities. Students who have been tested and have documented learning disabilities may seek assistance from CDS. Learning disabilities may make it more difficult for a student to concentrate in class, to process some types of information, or to master some subjects.

Center for Student Learning - 953-5635

The Center for Student Learning provides FREE academic assistance to all students. CSL offers walk-in labs in Math, Writing, and Foreign Languages, as well as SI sessions in some science and math classes and individual tutoring in other subject areas. CSL also presents Study Skills Seminars throughout the fall and spring semesters. These seminars cover: Managing Time and Tasks, Listening to Learn, Studying Textbooks, Creating Useful Notes, Improving Memory, Preparing for and Taking Objective Tests, Preparing for and Taking Essay Tests, and an Exam Survival Workshop.

Center for Student Wellness: Counseling & Substance Abuse Services - 953-5520

The Counseling and Substance Abuse Services Office is staffed by psychologists, social workers, and counselors who can help students who are experiencing homesickness and adjustment problems, roommate problems, stress from the pressure of family, work and school, as well as issues associated with alcohol and/or substance abuse.

New Student Programs - 953-2017

New Student Programs assists all new and readmitted students and their families with the transition to the college environment by offering various programs and services to support and encourage the development of your academic goals and success.

Undergraduate Academic Services - 953-5674

The Undergraduate Academic Services Office assists all students who are experiencing academic difficulty. The Student Services Specialists and Director of Undergraduate Academic Service are prepared to meet with you and assist you to help you understand why you have had academic difficulties and what can be done.

A: You may be able to take classes at another school while you are on probation. You will need to check with the individual school. Some schools require that you be in good academic standing at your home institution before you can take classes there.

A: No. When you take classes at another institution and transfer the credits back, only the credits transfer. Grades do not transfer. So the grades you might earn at another institution will not transfer back to the College of Charleston and will not be calculated in your grade point average here.

A: No. In fact, it is often better to take fewer hours so you can do better in your classes and (hopefully) earn higher grades.

A: At the end of the semester your grades will be reviewed. If you have not significantly raised your GPA you will be subject to academic dismissal requardless of the number of credit hours you have attempted and/or earned since being placed on probation. (Remember, EDLS 100 does not count as hours toward graduation, so it does not count in your GPA.) If you have significantly improved your grades (even though you are not yet in academic good standing), you might be given an additional semester to raise you grades and get off probation. If you have completed 15 hours and have not significantly raised your grades, you will probably be dismissed for academic deficiency.

A: If you are dismissed, you cannot enroll in any classes at the College of Charleston during your period of dismissal, nor can you take classes at another school to transfer back to the College while you are on dismissal. The first time a student is dismissed it is for two semesters (summer is considered one semester). If a student is dismissed a second time, it is for three full calendar years. Any student who is dismissed must apply to return to the College, and if readmitted, returns under a contract which specifies the minimum grade point average that must be earned each semester - regardless of the number of classes taken - in order to raise the grade point average to the minimum requirement for graduation. Any student who fails to meet the minimum grade point average on their contract is at risk of being dismissed, again.