College of Science and Engineering Student Resource Center

Probation Help | Career Planning | G.E. Help

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Probation Help

 

As you know, you must maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 in your SFSU course work. When your GPA falls below 2.0, the University will automatically place you on probation. This also means an administrative hold will be levied, and you will not be able to enroll in courses! If you remain on probation for several semesters, you will be subject to disqualification. The Student Resource Center is here to help you avoid being placed on academic probation, or to develop a strategy to get off probation.


Are you getting low grades?

If you are getting D's, F’s, or U’s, you are at risk of falling below a 2.0 GPA and being placed on academic probation! COME SEE US NOW to discuss your situation, and we will be happy to provide some suggestions to help keep your academic career afloat. AVOID PROBATION. GET HELP.


Are you on probation this semester?

If you are on probation, your enrollment in the next semester will be blocked. To lift the hold, you must submit an Academic Standing Petition by the 11th week of the semester. You will need to arrange to meet with your advisor, the chair of your department, AND with the Student Resource Center, all of whom will provide helpful advising and suggestions for improvement in the coming term.

 

Things to do BEFORE you obtain probation advising:

After your advisor AND department chair has signed you petition, bring it to the Student Resource Center (SCI 247) along with all the information listed above, and make an appointment to see the Director of the Center.

It is important to understand that to prevent disqualification you need to continually show progress. We can help you with strategies for progress.

 

How difficult is it to get off probation?

Your GPA does not tell you how quickly you can get off probation.

You have to look at your Grade Point (GP) deficiency, that is, the number of GPs you are below that required for a 2.0 GPA. Your Units Attempted (UA) times 2.0 is the minimum value of GPs you need in order to have a 2.0 GPA.

For example, assuming that this semester you have no grades lower than a C, here is the number of 3-unit courses and grades you would need to eliminate a given GP deficiency:

GP Deficiency No. of courses to eliminate deficiency
3 1 A, or 1 B, or 4 C+
6 1 A, or 2 B, or 7 C+
9 2 A, or 3 B, or 10 C+

Clearly a few A's and B's can eliminate a deficiency with in a few semesters, if the deficiency is small (as above) and if you do not get any more F's and D's.

To check your situation, see our Grade Point Deficiency calculator.

 

Are you in the "right" major?

Sometimes students under perform because the major itself is not well suited to the students' skills, aptitudes and REAL interests.

Obtain career advising!

Take an inventory of your skills and aptitudes so that you can discover the best major for you. One place to go is the Career Center. Contact Laura Carter for advise and help in this inventory. See our career webpage, or visit the official Career Center webpage.

Another place to go is a self-directed inventory as part of an online course in the College of Health and Human Services.

 

How Are Your Academic Skills?

Do you manage time well? Do you have trouble focusing when studying by yourself? Do you get really nervous when taking tests?

The Testing Center webpage at SFSU has many online workshops that can help with your concerns and would be a good place to start.

Also check out tutoring at:

See Student Resource Center, SCI 247, for more help.

 

E-mail: cosesrc@sfsu.edu -- Phone: (415) 405-3955 -- Science Building, Room 247

This page was last modified on May 2007

San Francisco State University