University Of California, Berkeley
Office of Undergraduate Advising

  College Policies  

College of Letters & Science

  Academic Probation and Dismissal  

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Berkeley students are among the finest in the nation. Most find that, with hard work and diligence, they can maintain a grade-point average (GPA) that meets or surpasses our established norms. However, students occasionally may find that their academic performance is suffering. Sometimes freshmen and transfer students find it hard to remain in good standing (with an average GPA of 2.0) as they try to adjust to college life and compete with other top scholars for the first time.

Whatever the reason for a dip in performance, our aim is to help students overcome obstacles and set off again on a strong, successful academic path. If you need academic support, the Office of Undergraduate Advising can direct you to the myriad resources available to you on the campus - tutors, counseling, workshops, and study groups of all kinds.

Students are placed on academic probation if their cumulative UC GPA falls below 2.0. Should this happen to you, you will need to bring your cumulative UC GPA up to a 2.0 the following semester or else you will be subject to dismissal.

Students are also placed on academic probation if their Berkeley term GPA falls below 1.5 for any semester. In this case, you must bring your Berkeley term GPA up to a 2.0 in the following semester, or you will be subject to dismissal.

If You Are on Probation

Seek advice immediately so that you can quickly return to good academic standing. Here are two key actions you should take:

  • Make an appointment with a College adviser. The adviser will review the strategies and alternatives available to you.

  • Attend the Reach for Success workshop in which advisers and counselors help students identify problems that may be affecting their academic performance and devise a plan for the semester.

Most students overcome their academic difficulties and achieve a good academic record as they continue their studies.

Guidelines for Students on Academic Probation

  • Students on academic probation must take all courses for a letter grade unless the course is offered only on a Passed/Not Passed basis.

  • It can be to your advantage to repeat a course in which you have received a deficient (D or F) grade. Meet with an adviser to discuss the pros and cons.

  • Graduating seniors on probation should meet immediately with an L&S adviser and their major adviser.

Guidelines for Students Subject to Dismissal

Students who are subject to dismissal at the end of a semester should not continue in classes the following semester, whether or not they have received their letter of dismissal.