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Readmission Policy

Under special circumstances, a student who is dismissed for academic reasons may apply for conditional readmission to Marist College no earlier than one fall or spring semester following the dismissal. Students dismissed in June cannot apply for readmission until the following January at the earliest; those dismissed in January may apply for September readmission. However, most students will want to take more than one semester to consider whether to seek permission to continue their studies at Marist.

To be considered for readmission, the dismissed student must submit the following items to the Center for Advising and Academic Services:

1. A clearly written statement, addressed to the Academic Standards Committee, offering direct, verifiable evidence of seriousness of purpose in returning to academic studies at Marist College. This letter should outline a plan for academic success including resources you intend to use, and ways you intend to improve/change in order to be successful.
2. A letter of recommendation from a faculty member at the other institution you attended. You may also include if applicable, medical documentation indicating that circumstances have changed.
3. An official transcript documenting satisfactory full-time academic performance at another institution of higher learning in the period following dismissal from Marist if you were a full-time student. Part-time students may submit an official transcript documenting satisfactory part-time academic performance and must be a part-time student during the semester of readmission. For readmission purposes, satisfactory performance is defined as earning a grade of "C" or higher in each course during a traditional semester (fall or spring) where a minimum of 12 credits, taken concurrently (minimum of 6 credits, taken concurrently for part-time students) has been completed.
4. There is a $75 fee for readmission.

After reviewing the submitted materials, the Academic Standards Committee has the authority to readmit the student on a provisional basis. The Committee may require: limited course loads, mandated academic support services, restricted extracurricular activity and any combination of requirements that may lead to enhanced academic performance. Readmitted students are automatically placed on high-risk academic probation and are required to achieve at least a 2.0 semester grade point average during this and every subsequent semester. Under no circumstances will a student be readmitted to Marist more than once.

Please note:

• Once the total number of credits from all sources has reached 70, no further credits will be accepted from a two-year institution.
• Students must consult their academic dean for advice regarding which courses in their major and CORE can be taken at another institution. Students who plan to transfer credits must complete the appropriate course approval forms, available in the Registrar's Office, before taking courses.
• Grades earned at another institution are not calculated in the Marist grade point average.
• Readmission applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the Center for Advising and Academic Services at least two months in advance of the semester for which they are seeking permission to return.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS REGARDING APPEALS OF ACADEMIC DISMISSAL

Q: What should an appeal letter contain?

A: While there is no standard form, your appeal to the Academic Standards Committee for the reversal of your dismissal should be typed, well-written and should contain the following elements:

• A clear elaboration on the circumstances that contributed to poor academic performance.
• Official documentation that verifies your statement (i.e. medical notes, faculty recommendations, proof of hours worked, legal documents, etc.).
• If you were already on Academic Probation, your appeal should describe your compliance with the last probationary contract.
• A description of the steps you would take to improve your academic standing if given a chance to return to Marist.
• Your letter should be signed and it should contain contact information so that you can be notified of the Committee's decision as soon as possible.
• Please note that late appeals will not be considered and in such cases the initial dismissal will stand.

Q: How long should my appeal letter be?

A: There is no recommended length for an academic appeal and therefore it can be as long or as short as necessary to fully describe and document your circumstances.

Q: Can I appeal to the Committee in person?

A: Many years ago, Marist allowed students to appeal in person. This is no longer an option. Some students are comfortable discussing personal information in front of a group and others are not. Some students live locally and others do not. In order to be sure that each student has an equal and independent chance for readmission, the Committee utilizes a standardized process of document collection and analysis.

Q: What percentage of appeals are granted?

A: Appeals are decided based upon the merit of each case and not the volume of cases. Therefore there is no set pattern to the ratio of appeals requested to appeals granted. As stated above, every student has an equal and independent chance for readmission.

Q: I am going to be away during the time the Committee is deliberating. Can you leave a message with my parent/guardian regarding the outcome of my appeal in my absence?

A: Given the limits set by the Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA), notice of a student's academic standing cannot be given to anyone but the student without the student preparing and submitting a dated and signed waiver of their right to privacy.