Academic Disqualification
Students who have not achieved the GPA standard (either 2.0 overall or 2.3 semester) at the end of their second consecutive term on probation will be academically disqualified from the university. Disqualified students who are interested in returning to USC should meet with their academic review counselor (FIG 107) as soon as possible to discuss readmission procedures.
A student who is later readmitted is placed on a readmission contract. Any student who fails to meet the terms of their contract will be permanently disqualified. Similarly, readmitted students who achieve a 2.0 cumulative GPA but are subsequently disqualified will be considered permanently disqualified.
Petitions for Readmission
Readmission petitions are initiated with an academic review counselor (FIG 107) after the disqualified student has successfully completed coursework at another institution. Because there is no guarantee of readmission, students are encouraged to meet with an academic review counselor as soon as possible after being disqualified to discuss the most effective strategies for being readmitted. Although required for readmission, coursework completed at another institution will in no way reduce a student’s grade point deficit or affect their USC GPA.
The five essential items that must be included in a readmission petition are:
Disqualified students seeking readmission should attend an accredited college or university. First-year students and sophomores are encouraged to enroll in courses that will satisfy previously unmet diversity, language, or major prerequisite requirements. Juniors and seniors are encouraged to enroll at a four-year college or university in courses considered upper-division and major-related. Physical education courses will be excluded from the GPA calculation.
The minimum requirement for readmission is 12 transferable semester units (18 quarter units, or 16 quarter units if completed in one quarter) with a 3.0 GPA. The number of units that must be completed for readmission depends on the USC deficit and cumulative GPA. Not all students will qualify to submit a petition with the minimum requirements.
Note: Transfer credit for major-related coursework is granted at the discretion of the department of the major. Transferability of courses must be evaluated on a Readmission Pre-Approval Form. Coursework taken outside USC that is not pre-approved will not be used toward readmission.
The course plan should list the remaining general education, major prerequisite, major and elective courses the student needs for completion of the degree. Students are encouraged to review missing degree requirements with their department advisor prior to enrolling in coursework elsewhere.
This form should be completed by the departmental advisor and authorized school signer of the student’s intended major.
The statement should be addressed to the Committee on Academic Policies and Procedures (CAPP), and it should address the following:
- What caused your work at USC to fall below acceptable standards? Think carefully about it and be specific.
- How have these conflicts been resolved?
- How has the coursework taken (and time away) since disqualification prepared you for your return to USC?
- If readmitted, how do you intend to return to good academic standing?
Special attention should be given to spelling, grammar, and the writing style of the statement. Since the committee does not meet with students in person, the written statement is the student’s only opportunity to address the panel. Statements should not exceed two double-spaced typed pages.
This will be prepared by the student’s academic review counselor and must be signed by the chair and dean of the student’s intended major. The cover sheet is not provided to the student until they submit items 1-4 to their academic review counselor.
Readmission Information
For information regarding readmission deadline dates, students should contact their academic review counselors directly.
Readmitted students will be placed on a readmission contract. The terms of this agreement must be met each and every semester of enrollment (including summer sessions) until the cumulative GPA reaches 2.0 or higher. Students are only permitted to petition for readmission once. Petitioning students who are not readmitted will be advised on what they can do in the future to strengthen their requests, otherwise they will be encouraged to pursue education elsewhere.
Important note for students who are on financial aid, reside in campus housing, or have an outstanding balance with the university:
The Financial Aid, Housing and Collections offices should be kept informed of your intention to return to USC, as you will require funding and housing if readmission is granted. An outstanding balance that has resulted in a Collections hold can prohibit your registration, regardless of your success in petitioning for readmission. Your readmission petition does not address these concerns. Such issues must be addressed by their respective offices.