An undergraduate student in the College of Letters & Science is placed on probation when his/her term [fall/spring term or summer session(s)] GPA falls below a 2.000.   The probation system is designed to serve as a warning to students to let them know that their academic performance (either in a series of classes or through their GPA) is not strong enough for them to be making acceptable progress towards their undergraduate degree.  If things are not going well and a student's grades are declining, the probation system allows a student a semester to improve his/her grades.  In short, the probation system gives students time to assess their strategies and to make some improvements so that they may obtain the required 2.000 GPA needed to graduate.  More detailed information can be found at probation.

The L&S Undergraduate Probation System is as follows:

• If a student is not on probation and earns a term GPA of 1.000 - 1.999, the student is placed on probation.
• If a student is not on probation and earns a term GPA of less than 1.000, the student is placed on strict probation.
• If a student is on probation and earns a term GPA of 1.500 - 1.999, the student is placed on strict probation.
• If a student is on probation and earns a term GPA of less than 1.500, the student is dropped (placed on academic suspension) for one (1) year.
• If a student is on strict probation and earns a term GPA below 2.000, the student is dropped (placed on academic suspension) for one (1) year.

Students can clear probation when:

• their cumulative and term GPA are at least a 2.000 on any number of credits, and
• their academic records contain no grade(s) of Incomplete (I)

All L&S undergraduate students are required to have at least a 2.000 cumulative GPA (a "C" average) in order to graduate with a degree in L&S.  A student must also earn a term GPA of 2.000 each semester/term in order to not be placed on probation. 

Any L&S undergraduate who has been dropped or placed on academic suspension for one calendar year will have a notation placed on their academic record giving the exact date when the dropped status was posted. Students who think that they might be on probation, strict probation or in drop status should speak with their undergraduate advisor(s) as soon as possible for more guidance. Students can find the contact information for their academic advisor(s) in their MyUW Student Center.

Additional information can be found at L&S Probation Rules and How to appeal your academic suspension.