Academic Standing (Probation)

For a quick "cheat sheet" and chart explaining averages and academic standing, see:  Probationary Status 

Undergraduate Calendar and the Continuation of Study Requirements

What is my Academic Standing?

Your academic standing refers to your academic status. There are three types of academic standing: 

1. Eligible to continue
2. Academic Probation
3. Required to Withdraw

What does it mean to be Eligible to Continue?

  • Your cumulative average is 60% or higher
  • There is no semester average requirement for you to meet
  • You are eligible to continue your studies as usual
  • This is the academic standing you want to achieve

Note: To graduate with a BA general or honours degree, you must have a 60% cumulative average. Honours degree students must also earn a 70% average in their specialization courses.

What does it mean to be on Academic Probation?

Below is a chart illustrating when you are put on Academic Probation. The columns "If Eligible to Continue" and "If on Academic Probation" represent your status at the start of the listed credits. New students are classified as "Eligible to Continue."

Credits

Academic Standing

0.25 to 2.50 credit attempts

If your cumulative average is equal to or above 50%, you are Eligible to Continue
If your cumulative average is less than 50%, you will be put on Academic Probation

 

Credits

If Eligible to Continue

If on Academic Probation

Between 2.75 and 5.00 credit attempts

If your cumulative average is below 50%, you will be required to withdraw. If your cumulative average is greater than or equal to 50%, and less 60%, you will be put on Academic Probation. If your cumulative average is equal to or greater than 60%, you are Eligible to Continue

If your semester average is less than 50%, or your cumulative average is less than 50%, you will be required to withdraw. If your semester average is greater than or equal to 50%, but your cumulative average is less than 60%, you will continue to be on Academic Probation. If your cumulative average is greater than or equal to 60%, you are Eligible to Continue

More than 5.00 credit attempts

If your cumulative average is less than 50%, you will be Required to Withdraw. If your cumulative average is greater than or equal to 50%, and less than 60%, you will be put on Academic Probation. If cumulative average is above 60%, you are Eligible to Continue

If your semester average is less than 60%, you will be Required to Withdraw. If your semester average is greater than or equal to 60%, but your cumulative average is less than 60%, you will continue to be on Academic Probation. If your cumulative average is greater than or equal 60%, you are Eligible to Continue


If you are on Academic Probation, please see your Program Counsellor for advice on courses, course load and resources available.

What does it mean to be Required to Withdraw?
Required to Withdraw standing means that the University of Guelph requires you to take a minimum of 2 semesters off. This is called the rustication period (the Summer semester is included in this time period). For example, if you were Required to Withdraw after the Winter semester, the earliest you could apply for readmission to the University of Guelph would be the Winter semester of the following year. 

There are two reasons why you would be Required to Withdraw: 

The first reason is based on your academic performance:

  • You were on Academic Probation last semester (because your cumulative average was below 60%)
    • Upon being placed on Academic Probation, your subsequent semester average was less than the required 60% 

The second reason is based on Academic Misconduct: 

  • Being "Required to Withdraw" may be the penalty for a student found guilty of Academic Misconduct. See the Withdrawal section of undergraduate calendar for more information.

Please note: Required to Withdraw standing is not enforced at the end of the Fall semester (unless for reasons of Academic Misconduct). Instead, students who fail to meet the continuation of study requirements at the end of the Fall semester will be placed on 'Academic Probation 2' for the Winter semester. Failure to register for the Winter semester (or voluntary withdrawal from the Winter semester) will result in the Required to Withdraw standing being applied. Students are strongly advised to contact their Program Counsellor to determine how 'Academic Probation 2' standing will affect their studies.

Who do I contact if I have been Required to Withdraw?

You need to contact Admissions to discuss the next steps/how to be readmitted:

Admission Services - Admissions
transferinfo@uoguelph.ca
UC
+1-519-824-4120 x58721

Students who have been Required to Withdraw may appeal (see below). If no appeal is submitted, or if the appeal is denied, then students may apply for readmission by contacting Admissions. 

How to Appeal Required to Withdraw Standing
You can appeal the Required to Withdraw standing if you feel you have extenuating circumstances of a medical, compassionate or psychological nature, that led to your poor academic performance. Please note that appeals are taken very seriously, and not granted lightly.

There are three steps to appealing the decision and asking for extension of probation (this is called a Request for Academic Consideration):

  1. Complete the Request for Academic Consideration form
  2. Include a detailed letter, providing reasons for your appeal, with supporting documents (eg. medical note). Please address the letter to the B.A. Academic Review Committee.
  3. Submit the Request form, your letter and supporting documents to the BA office in person (Mackinnon 130) or via email at baco@uoguelph.ca 

For more information about what to include in your Request for Academic Consideration, please see the following links: 

Quick Facts: Academic Consideration 
Undergraduate Calendar: Academic Consideration, Appeals and Petitions

The Academic Review Committee may only meet three times during a semester, so you need to get your request in as soon as possible. Please see the Schedule of Dates in the Undergraduate Calendar for details.