Academic Probation: Frequently Asked Questions

Should I withdraw from a class I'm struggling in?

Can I P/F a course while on probation?

I need some extra help in a class but the ULC doesn't offer tutoring in that subject!

Can I Study Away while I'm on probation?

How do I get this "I" on my transcript changed to a grade?

Can I take a course at another institution over the summer and have it count toward a requirement here?

Q: What is NYU's leave policy?

A: Taking a leave is a great way to take a break from NYU so you can come back energized and ready to succeed. There are three types of leaves you can take: medical, personal, and military. Medical leaves are for those who have been struggling from mental or physical health concerns and have a note from a doctor or the Wellness Center. Personal leaves cover everything from needing to take a break because of the death of a loved one, to wanting to explore other opportunities outside college for a short period of time. All leaves can last up to two semesters (although you can come back sooner if you want). To take a leave, you just need to speak to your advisor and submit a request for a Leave of Absence through Albert. If you want to take a medical leave, your advisor can help walk you through what kind of note you'll need. If you have more questions about this process, feel free to come in and meet with a walk-in advisor!

Q: Should I withdraw from a class I'm struggling in?

A: To get off probation, you typically have to complete 16 consecutive credits with a C or higher in each course. However, if you are struggling in a class and know you are going to get below a C (and especially if you think you will get an F), withdrawing from the class might be a good option. While it means you won't get off probation this semester, you will still be helping your GPA, and if you ultimately receive below a C in the course, you won't be getting off probation anyway. Finally, you may be able to take a course during January or Summer term to complete those 16 consecutive credits instead. Be sure to talk to your professor to see if there is a way to bring up your grade, and then come speak to an advisor before the withdraw deadline!

Q: Can I P/F a course while on probation?

A: Sure! But first, ask yourself: Is this course a major/minor requirement? Is this course a Core requirement? If the answer to either of those questions is yes, you likely shouldn't take it P/F. P/F courses cannot count toward requirements such as these, although they do still count toward your 128 credits for graduation. If this is just an elective course and you are worried the grade will hurt your GPA, etc., come meet with an advisor and we can help you take the course P/F. Keep in mind, you are only allowed to take one course P/F per semester.

Q: I need some extra help in a class but the ULC doesn't offer tutoring in that subject!

A: Are you sure they don't? Just because they don't have a study group or a slam session for that class, doesn't mean they don't have a learning assistant who can help. Check here for a longer list of tutoring subjects. If not, you should check with the department that hosts the course. Departments often also have tutors that will provide help or they can recommend where to find a tutor. Get in touch with the department administrator or the department's Director of Undergraduate Studies to see what kind of tutoring help they offer. And if you need help with a writing assignment, don't forget the Writing Center!

Q: Can I retake a course?

A: Yes, but you can only do two retakes during your entire NYU career before you have to petition for permission to retake more. This means taking one course twice, or taking two courses twice. When you retake a course, your first grade doesn't just go away. It stays on your transcript and still factors into your GPA, but the credits from that course won't count toward graduation. This means if you retook a 4 credit class, you would only receive 4 credits for both classes, even though you paid for and participated in 8 credits. For this reason, you should seriously think about whether retaking a class is the best course of action. If the course is for your major, should you continue being in that major? If the course is for a Core requirement, can you take a different class next time to fulfill that requirement instead? Talk to an advisor to determine if retaking a course is your best option.

Q: Can I Study Away while I'm on probation?

A: No. Students with less than a 3.0 typically cannot Study Away, and probation students in particular are encouraged to focus on coursework here to increase their performance before studying elsewhere. In some cases there may be exceptions made (and for this you would need to speak to your advisor as well as the Study Away office), but these are rare. You want to prioritize achieving Satisfactory Academic Progress and returning to good standing before traveling to other global campuses.

Q: How do I get this "I" on my transcript changed to a grade?

A: That "I" is an incomplete that you received for having never completed all the coursework for a previous class. You must contact your professor from that course to discuss what else you need to accomplish to get a grade in the course. It's a good idea to set up clear expectations and deadlines. What assignments do you still have to turn in/what tests do you still need to take? On which days will these tests be taken/these assignments be due? Once these are accomplished, the teacher should submit a grade for the course. Be sure to be in regular communication with the professor and start this process as soon as possible. If, after one semester, the grade has not been updated, it will automatically change to an F. So be sure to take care of these "I"s immediately; they are your responsibility to follow up on.

Q: Can I take a course at another institution over the summer and have it count toward a requirement here?

A: Unlikely. You may be able to take a course at another institution and have it count toward your credits for graduation, but this requires a Dean's petition. Getting that request approved can be difficult, and you need extenuating circumstances that support your rationale for taking the course elsewhere. If you wanted to have that course count toward Core, that would include an additional petition, and those are not likely to be successful. If you're nervous about a particular Core requirement, speak to an advisor to determine which Core offerings might work most toward your strengths.