Academic Standing
The academic standing policy varies for students pursuing degrees from the College of Arts and Sciences, Oberlin Conservatory, or the Double Degree Program.
The Academic Policies section of the course catalog provides complete details of the requirements for academic standing.
Review the Academic Standing policy
Access the Academic Progress Plan
Download, complete, and save to your documents. A copy must be submitted to your assigned AARC contact. Consult the original letter of academic standing for details.
May I appeal a suspension decision? Yes, students may appeal a suspension decision by following a well-defined appeal process within firm deadlines. Please contact the Academic Advising Resource Center for more information.
I was suspended for two semesters. It's time for me to return now. What do I need to do? Suspended students must submit a Reinstatement Form to the Office of the Registrar for readmission to Oberlin College. Students are asked to speak with Laura Herron, Associate Dean for Academic Standing, in the Academic Advising Resource Center prior to submitting the form.
No exceptions are made.
May I appeal a dismissal decision? Yes, students may appeal a dismissal decision by following a well-defined appeal process within firm deadlines. Contact the Academic Advising Resource Center for details.
Will this sanction show on my transcript? Alerts and probations are recorded internally only and do not appear on the transcript. Suspensions and dismissals are recorded both internally and on the transcript.
Who is notified about an academic standing action? The student, advisor/s, registrar’s office, financial aid, and students accounts are notified about an alert or probation. For a suspension or dismissal, the Office of the Dean of Students is also notified.
Will this sanction affect my financial aid? The Office of Financial Aid is notified of academic standing actions. Because each situation is unique, please consult with that office to see how this may affect you personally.
Who do I contact if I have questions/concerns about my academic standing?
- College of Arts and Sciences students may contact the Academic Advising Resource Center.
- Oberlin Conservatory students may contact the Office of the Associate Dean of the Conservatory
- Double Degree Program students may contact Office of the Associate Dean of the Conservatory
How does course underload affect academic standing?
Any student approved by the AARC/Registrar for part-time status will be expected to complete all registered courses in a given semester. Passing fewer than all registered courses will result in an individualized review by the Academic Standing Committee with possible sanctions of probation, suspension, or dismissal, depending on the student’s previous status and outcome of review.
The tables below indicate the possible academic standing sanctions that serve as guidelines for the initial review of a student’s record.
Please note:
- “GPA” refers to cumulative grade-point average
- Students who matriculated prior to fall 2021 must earn a cumulative GPA of at least 1.67
- Students who matriculate fall 2021 or after must earn a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0
- Of the 3.5 full courses per semester needed to remain in good academic standing, the equivalent of 3 courses per semester must be academic courses not co-curricular credits.
For students in their first semester
| Performance criteria | Action |
|---|---|
|
Pass 3 full academic courses and GPA at least 2.0 |
No action |
|
Pass 2-2.5 full academic courses and GPA at least 2.0 |
Alert |
|
Pass 2 or more full academic courses with GPA below 2.0 |
Probation |
|
Pass fewer than one full academic course |
Suspension |
For students in the second semester of their first year, sophomores, juniors, seniors
| Performance criteria | Action |
|---|---|
|
Pass 3.5 full courses and GPA at least 1.67/2.0 |
No action |
|
Pass 3 full academic courses and GPA at least 1.67/2.0 |
Warning/alert |
|
Pass 2-2.5 full academic courses or GPA below 1.67/2.0 |
Probation |
|
Pass fewer than 2 full academic courses |
Suspension |
| Performance criteria | Action |
|---|---|
|
Pass 3.5 full courses and GPA at least 1.67/2.0 |
No action |
|
Pass 2-3 full academic courses or GPA below 1.67/2.0 |
Probation |
|
Pass fewer than 2 full academic courses |
Suspension |
| Performance criteria | Action |
|---|---|
|
Pass 3.5 full courses and GPA at least 1.67/2.0 |
No action |
|
Pass 3 full academic courses and GPA at least 1.67/2.0 |
Probation |
|
Pass fewer than 3 full academic courses or GPA below 1.67/2.0 |
Suspension |
| Performance criteria | Action |
|---|---|
|
Pass 3.5 full courses and GPA at least 1.67/2.0 |
No action |
|
Pass fewer than 3.5 full courses or GPA below 1.67/2.0 |
Suspension |
| Performance criteria | Action |
|---|---|
|
Pass 3.5 full courses and GPA at least 1.67/2.0 |
No action |
|
Pass fewer than 3.5 full courses or GPA below 1.67/2.0 |
Dismissal |
| Performance criteria | Action |
|---|---|
|
Pass either 3.5 full courses or half of the remaining courses needed to graduate, whichever is fewer, and GPA at least 1.67/2.0 |
No action |
|
Pass fewer than half of remaining courses needed to graduate or GPA below 1.67/2.0 |
Determined on a case by case basis. * |
* If a student in this category is dismissed and appeals the dismissal, the Academic Standing Committee may: grant the appeal, deny the appeal, or, one time, suspend the student for two semesters.