Maintaining adequate progress for a degree is defined by meeting a 2.00 cumulative grade-point average (CGPA). Students who do not maintain a 2.00 CGPA move into a status of Academic Warning. While on Academic Warning students will have a hold placed on the registration of subsequent semesters and must meet with an Academic Adviser to remove this Academic Warning hold. All notifications concerning the hold will be sent to a student's campus email address.
Q1 - What is Academic Warning?
To earn a degree from Penn State, all students must have a minimum 2.00 CGPA. Students go into Academic Warning status when their CGPA has fallen below a 2.00. Academic Warning is an intervention to ensure students work with Brandywine Campus advisers and Recovery Team members who can help support their academic success.
Q2 - What are the consequences of being on Academic Warning?
If on Academic Warning at the time that final grades post, a registration hold will be placed on a student’s account that prevents enrollment for subsequent semesters. The hold will allow the student to adjust their current schedule but prevent enrollment for subsequent terms.
While on Academic Warning, students must also maintain a minimum semester GPA of 2.00. If a student does not meet the minimum semester GPA while on Academic Warning, they will be put on Academic Suspension and will be unable to enroll at any Penn State campus for two consecutive semesters.
Q3 - How do I remove the registration hold while on Academic Warning?
Step 1 - Students in Academic Warning are required to complete an Academic Reflection and Action Plan. To review this with a member of Brandywine’s Recovery Team, call 610-892-1390.
Step 2 - Once the plan is approved, the Recovery Team will remove the hold and encourage the student to meet with their assigned Academic Adviser to execute the plan.
Q4 - How do I remove myself from Academic Warning?
By reaching a CGPA of 2.00, students are no longer on Academic Warning.
Q5 - How is my cumulative grade-point average calculated? What is the difference between cumulative and semester grade-point averages? Where can I find both grade-point averages?
The CGPA is the weighted mean value of all grade points earned through enrollment in Penn State courses, including online courses and courses taken at another Penn State campus. A semester GPA is calculated using only Penn State courses completed for one specific semester. Please visit the University Registrar’s Grade-Point Average site for more information.
Students can find both cumulative grade-point average and averages for each semester by viewing their unofficial transcript in LionPATH.
Q6 - Why must I meet with a Brandywine Campus Recovery Team member to prevent/remove the registration hold?
Recovery Team members at Penn State Brandywine are invested in the personal and academic success of students. They are aware of University resources and have experience helping students overcome challenges. A conversation with a Recovery Specialist allows a student to reflect and develop a plan to move forward successfully. In addition to other considerations, it is time to:
- Reflect on the challenges that led to Academic Warning
- Discuss the resources available for support
- Plan a balanced schedule for the upcoming semester
- Understand GPA, grades required for Good Academic Standing, and the Suspension Policy
If students’ Reflection and Academic Recovery Plans are approved, they are strongly encouraged to work with their assigned Academic Advisers throughout the semester to execute the plans and return to Good Academic Standing.