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Undergraduate Academic Advising

Columbian College of Arts & Sciences

Academic Standing

The Columbian College has specific requirements for students who are on academic probation and wish to return to good academic standing status. Learn more about the differences between good academic standing, probation and suspension, and find out how CCAS advisers can help you navigate your options.

Good Academic Standing

Good Academic Standing: Undergraduate students are considered to be in good academic standing if at the end of any semester their grade-point average (GPA) for that semester and their cumulative GPA are 2.0 or above.

Academic Probation

Academic Probation: Undergraduate students are placed on academic probation if at the end of any semester their GPA for that semester or their cumulative GPA is below 2.0. Students on academic probation must fulfill all probation-related requirements of their home school in order to register for classes (from the University Bulletin).

Requirements While on Probation

Columbian College students on academic probation will be required to meet with the CCAS Undergraduate Advising Office at certain points throughout the semester so that we know students are holding themselves accountable for their progress, and so we can discuss strategies that most resonate with who students are and how they learn. Students will be required to complete different assignments during the course of the semester to reflect on previous semesters, gain perspective on how they are using their time and track academic progress through the Academic Success Program. If you are a student on academic probation, please review the Academic Success Program requirements.

 

Suspension for Poor Scholarship

Undergraduate students who have attempted at least 24 credits at the University (to include all letter, I, NP, P, R, W, and Z grades) will be subject to suspension for poor scholarship if they meet any of the criteria:

  • The student’s current semester GPA is below 1.0,
  • The student has completed two successive semesters without achieving semester and cumulative GPAs of 2.0 or above, or
  • The student has a semester or cumulative GPA below 2.0 in any three semesters at the university.

Your Options During Suspension

Suspension for Poor Scholarship means that you must remain away from GW for at least one academic semester (fall or spring). You cannot register for any classes at GW during that semester away.

Seeking Readmission to GW

To return to GW, you need to show evidence of successful academic performance at an accredited community college or four-year institution during your time away. To do so:

  1. Enter another accredited community college or 4-year institution as a non-degree, visiting, or guest student.
  2. Register for and successfully complete at least 12 credits of academic coursework in one semester (fall or spring) or 18 credits of academic coursework in one quarter (excluding summers). All post-matriculation transfer credit guidelines for Current Students apply.
  3. Earn at least a 3.0 semester/quarter GPA. Fill out the GW Readmission Application. Please keep in mind that there is a deadline to complete the Readmission Application and it is not guaranteed that your application will be approved should you meet the minimum criteria.
  4. Once grades are posted on a transcript, send the transcript to the GW Office of Admissions.
  5. Wait to receive an email from GW Office of Admissions, alerting you about your readmissions status.
Withdrawal After the Deadline

If you think there were extenuating circumstances occurring after the withdrawal deadline that caused you to do poorly in the semester that resulted in your suspension (e.g., medical issues, family emergency), you can move forward with a request for a full or partial withdrawal from that semester. Please refer to the Office of the Registrar website for more information about that process.

Note: If you complete this process and your request is approved for a full or partial withdrawal, then you may no longer have a suspension status. Depending on the circumstances, you may be required to obtain approval from the university before you can return to classes. If your request is not approved, you will need to follow the process listed under #1, Seeking Readmission to GW, in order to return.

Appeal

If you believe that the university should consider additional information determining your academic standing, you may appeal.

  1. Students can appeal their academic suspension decision. Students will remain in suspension status through the duration of the appeal process. 
  2. Students interested in appealing their suspension should include a statement describing extenuating circumstances that have caused the poor academic performance and a detailed description of the steps taken to mitigate those factors.
  3. All appeals must be submitted in writing, directed to Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies Dr. Rachel Riedner, and emailed to [email protected].
  4. Where applicable, documentation from medical or counseling professionals should be included in support of the appeal.
  5. If the appeal is successful, the student will be placed on academic probation and limited to 13 credits during the upcoming semester. The student will also need to complete the requirements of students on probation. 
  6. If the appeal is denied, the suspension notation will remain on the transcript.