Students at Purchase are expected to maintain satisfactory academic progress and to progress towards timely degree completion and graduation. Among the requirements for graduation, a student must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0. At the close of each semester all grades are processed, and the student’s semester GPA and cumulative GPA are then used to determine whether the student is in good academic standing. A student who is not in good academic standing will be issued either an academic warning, placed on academic probation, or dismissed from the college. Only grades earned at Purchase are used in determining academic warning, probation or dismissal status.

Criteria.  Any student subject to a first-time dismissal will be invited to appeal that determination.

The following criteria are used to assess a student’s academic standing:

• First semester students (freshmen and transfers) receiving a GPA less than 1.5 will be dismissed with the right to appeal;
• Students whose cumulative GPA falls below a 2.0 for two consecutive semesters with be dismissed with the right to appeal;
• Students whose semester GPA falls below a 2.0 for three consecutive semesters will be subject to dismissal from the college. The Academic Review Committee may grant an additional semester of probation prior to dismissal on a case-by-case basis;
• Students whose semester GPA falls below a 2.0 for a fourth consecutive semester will be dismissed with the right to appeal;
• Any student returning from a dismissal (either because an appeal was granted or by readmission) whose semester GPA is less than 2.0 will be dismissed without the right to appeal.

Appeals. Neither an academic warning nor an academic probation may be appealed.

Appeals of academic dismissals are reviewed by the Academic Review Committee (ARC). Students are entitled to appeal dismissals in writing to the committee. The committee will not hear appeals in person or by phone.

Details regarding the appeals process, including deadlines, will be stated in the dismissal notification and on the Advising Center page. If the student’s appeal is granted, the student will be reinstated on probation for the semester following the dismissal. Any student returning from a dismissal (either because an appeal was granted or by readmission) whose semester GPA is less than 2.0 will be dismissed.

If a student does not appeal, or the appeal is denied, the student may not take any coursework at Purchase College for one year following their dismissal.

Students who have been dismissed a second time have no right of appeal and must reapply to the College after waiting one full academic year.

Any notice of academic warning or probation will appear on a student’s Degree Progress Report (DPR)

Notification. A notification of warning, probation, or dismissal will be sent to the student’s official Purchase email address prior to the commencement of the next semester. Any communication of probation may also include conditions for continued of study at Purchase (e.g. participating on athletic teams, holding a student government position).

Probation. As noted above, the Academic Review Committee has the right to set forth conditions on a student’s probation. Students are encouraged to work with their advisors to devise an appropriate course load and to attain a balance between study and other activities.

Dismissal. The first time a student is dismissed they can appeal for a reversal of the decision. Any student whose appeal is denied or who chooses not to appeal will not be allowed to return to the university for two full semesters. A summer session is not considered a full semester, and a dismissed student may not enroll in any classes during a summer session. For example, a dismissal following the spring semester means that the student will be required to remain out for the subsequent fall, spring, and summer semesters.

A student who is dismissed for a second time will not be permitted to reapply to Purchase.

Readmission after Academic Dismissal
Please refer to Readmission

Visiting Students

Nonmatriculated or visiting students who have attempted 12 or more credits will be academically dismissed if their cumulative GPA is below 2.0. They may appeal in writing for a Waiver of academic dismissal to the Academic Review Committee. A waiver will be granted only once. Students granted a waiver will remain on academic probation. If a waiver is not granted, dismissed students will not be permitted to re-enroll until two semesters have elapsed (not including winter or summer sessions) and only after the Registrar has reviewed and approved the request.

For information on academic progress standards for graduate students see Academic Progress Standards for Graduate Students.