Academic Standing Advising

Low Academic Standing Explained

Any student on low academic standing should plan to meet with an academic advisor until they return to good academic standing. Advisors can help students develop a plan for success including GPA calculations, identifying campus resources, etc.  

We know that sometimes you might face academic struggles and cause your grade point average (GPA) to slip below 2.0, which puts you in low academic standing. When this occurs, you will receive notification via email of your academic standing. Low academic standings at Western include academic warning, academic probation or continuing probation, and academic dismissal.

If you find yourself in low academic standing, you are not alone. Academic Advisors are here to help you set realistic goals and make a plan to return to good academic standing.  We encourage you to make full use of the resources and support services that Western has to offer and reach out quickly to schedule an appointment.  

See the Academic Standing Registrar’s Office site for full policy details. The information below shares more about low academic standing and possible outcomes in your next quarter. Remember, advisors are here to help you understand your specific situation and next steps.

Academic Standing is based on the student’s academic performance (Quarterly and Cumulative GPA) at the end of each quarter. Academic Standing does not apply to students admitted to Fairhaven College or Graduate Students. 

Academic Warning FAQ's

Any current or first quarter student whose quarterly GPA is below a 2.0. 

Yes
  • If your next quarterly and cumulative GPA are both 2.0 or above, you will be in good standing. 
  • If your next quarterly GPA is below 2.0 and your cumulative GPA is 2.0 or above, you will be in academic warning standing. 
  • If your cumulative GPA is below 2.0 you will be on academic probation, regardless of whether your quarterly GPA is above or below 2.0. 

Academic Probation FAQ's

Any current student (excluding first quarter student) whose cumulative GPA is below 2.0. 

Yes
  •  If your next quarterly and cumulative GPA are both 2.0 or above, you will be in good standing. 
  • If your next quarterly GPA is below 2.0 and your cumulative GPA is above 2.0, you will be in academic warning standing. 
  • If your next quarterly GPA is 2.0 or above and your cumulative GPA is below 2.0, you will be in continuing academic probation standing. 
  • If your next quarter GPA is below 2.0 you will be academically dismissed from Western. 

Continuing Probation FAQ's

A student’s cumulative GPA has been below 2.0 for the last two quarters or more.  

Yes
  • If your next quarterly and cumulative GPA are both 2.0 or above, you will be in good standing. 
  • If your next quarterly GPA is below 2.0 and your cumulative GPA is above 2.0, you will be in academic warning standing.   
  • If your next quarterly GPA is 2.3 or above and your cumulative GPA is below 2.0, you will be in continuing academic probation standing. 
  • If your next quarter GPA is below 2.3 you will be academically dismissed from Western. 

Academic Dismissal FAQ's

Students are academically dismissed if they:

  • begin a quarter on probation and earn a quarterly grade average below 2.00 and fail to raise their cumulative grade average to at least 2.00 or
  • begin a quarter on continuing probation and earn a quarterly grade average below 2.30 and fail to raise their cumulative grade average to at least a 2.00. 

Students in dismissed status cannot attend classes as a matriculated student and will need to go through the reinstatement process to fully return to WWU. Students can take courses as a non-matriculated student through Outreach and Continuing Education. Talk to an academic advisor about your options.

Meet with an academic advisor to discuss your options and develop a plan for reinstatement. Call 360-650-3100 to schedule.