B.Sc. Academic Standing
What does it mean to be on Academic Probation or to be Eligible to Continue?
If you are placed on Academic Probation, your cumulative average is greater than or equal to 50% but less than 60% (except in first semester). It is highly recommended that you see your Program Counsellor for advice on scheduling classes and resources available to you to help with your academic performance. This rule applies differently for students completing their first 0.25 credits to 2.50 credits (usually students who are in their first semester). In that case, only students whose average is below 50% will be put on Academic Probation.
If you are Eligible to Continue, this means that you have a cumulative average of 60% or greater.
Note: To graduate with the four year Honours B.Sc. degree, your cumulative average must be 60.0% or higher.
When are you put 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 |
| 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.
Important Notes
After you have completed 2.50 credits, if your cumulative average is between 50% and 60% you will be put on Academic Probation. Once you are on probation, if you do not receive a semester average of 60% or higher, you will be Required to Withdraw for 2 semesters. This requirement applies if you take 1 course or 5 courses per semester, so please see your Program Counsellor before you sign up for that one summer course you’re thinking of taking. Remember, you are required to achieve a semester average of 60% or higher even when you are taking a single course.
If you do receive a semester average equal to or greater than 60%, but your cumulative average is still below 60%, then you will remain on Academic Probation. Once your cumulative average is greater than 60% you will be taken off probation.
You are Eligible to Continue as long as your cumulative average is minimum of 60.0%.
If at any time your cumulative average drops below 50%, you will be Required to Withdraw, except in first semester ( 0.25 to 2.50 credits).
It is crucial that if you are having trouble with any courses or if any circumstances arise that affect your academic performance that you see your Program Counsellor immediately!
What does 'Required to Withdraw' mean?
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 may be 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:
- You were on Academic Probation and your semester average was below 60% or your cumulative average was below 50%.
- Academic Misconduct – Required to Withdraw may be the penalty for a student found guilty of academic misconduct. See the Withdrawal section of undergraduate calendar.
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.
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. Full details on the readmission process are given below.
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. We very strongly encourage all students to meet with a Program Counsellor before submitting a Request for Academic Consideration, but this is not required.
Three steps to appealing the decision and asking for extension of probation (this is called a Request for Academic Consideration):
- Complete the Request for Academic Consideration form.
- Include a detailed letter, providing reasons for your appeal, with supporting documents (eg. medical note). Please address the letter to the B.Sc. Academic Review Committee.
- Submit the Request form, your letter and supporting documents to the B.Sc. Academic Counselling Centre (SCIE 1329, bscweb@uoguelph.ca) or your Program Counsellor.
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.
Readmission
Students wishing to apply to return to the B.Sc. program are advised to take two degree-credit Science courses (1.0 credits) - total - through Open Learning and Educational Support during the 2 semester period of rustication. Not 1.0 credits in each semester, but a total of 1.0 credits. Normally, two degree-credit Open Learning Science courses with minimum grades of 70.0% in each will support an application for readmission. This is a key consideration in the readmission process. Failure to take these two Science courses may be considered grounds for denial of your readmission application.
To search courses offered by Open Learning and Educational Support, please visit their website.
Readmission is not automatic nor guaranteed. Admission decisions are based on the complete academic history of the applicant. You must apply for readmission by completing the Internal Transfer/Readmission process. Please follow the instructions closely paying special attention to application deadlines. Applying for readmission requires you to write a letter to accompany the application form addressing four different issues:
- Why you are reapplying,
- What you have been doing since your last registration at Guelph,
- A statement of reason(s) for past academic performance,
- Steps you have taken to ensure academic success in the future.
Students wishing to apply for readmission directly to another degree program (for example, B.A.) should seek advice from the appropriate Admission Counsellor in Admission Services to determine the proper readmission process to follow.
If your readmission application is successful, you will be placed on Academic Probation until your cumulative average is above 60%. All continuation of study guidelines will apply, and you must meet the minimum of a 60% semester average to continue.
Note: You do not have to take a full course load when you return. Please see advice from your Program Counsellor if you have questions.
Voluntary Withdraw
You can choose to voluntarily withdraw from the University of Guelph. As long as six consecutive semesters have not passed before you register again for courses at the University of Guelph, you will not have to re-apply. For example, if you took courses in the Winter 2016 semester, you must register for courses again no later than Winter 2018. You may use WebAdvisor to register (during regular course registration periods) and are advised to do this during the semester prior to your return. To view the Schedule of Dates, including course registration periods, see the Undergraduate Calendar. After 6 consecutive semesters of not enrolling in courses, you will have to reapply to the University of Guelph.