Academic Notice

A note to our students,

If you are a student exploring this webpage, there's a chance that you are navigating academic difficulty. We want to acknowledge that this can feel discouraging, stressful, and even scary! You may feel concerned or anxious about your academic standing. Please know that academic difficulty often reflects challenging circumstances, not your academic ability. Many students experience difficulty during their time at UC Davis, and many students return to good academic standing. 

We care about you and are here to support you.

Your advisors are here to partner with you toward academic recovery and we share your goal of graduating successfully from UC Davis. That is our responsibility to you. If you're unsure about your status or next steps, connect with an academic advisor in the College of Letters and Science Undergraduate Education and Advising office. 

Academic Notice Overview

Students can be on Academic Notice due to Grade Point Average (GPA), Minimum Progress (MP), or both. The following situations will result in each academic status:

  • Academic Notice (PB) for GPA:  An overall or term GPA below 2.000 but above 1.500 (i.e. 1.500-1.999)
  • Academic Notice Continued (PC): An overall or term GPA between 1.500 to 1.999 for two consecutive terms
  • Academic Notice for MP: A Degree Progress Average (DPA) falling below 12 for one, two, or three consecutive full-time quarters. 
     

Learn more about Minimum Progress Academic Notice 

Academic status is determined at the end of each regular term (Fall, Winter, Spring) upon submission of final course grades to the Registrar’s Office. Once grading has been completed, the Registrar will begin "end-of-term" processing and academic status for the term will be updated on official transcripts. 

An overall or term GPA below 1.500 (i.e. 1.499 or lower) or An overall, term GPA between 1.500 to 1.999 for three consecutive terms, or a DPA below 12 for four consecutive terms leads to Subject to Disqualification status.

Read more about Subject to Disqualification processes here.  

Navigating Academic Notice

The following information will cover each of the steps of the process in the College of Letters and Science and steps you should take if you are on Academic Notice. 

Notifications

You will receive a message via the UC Davis message center notifying you of your status. You may be required to engage with an advisor, either through a Canvas assignment, webinar, or individual appointment. It is very important that you read the message carefully as soon as you receive it and take action immediately. 

Guidance to return to Good Standing 

To return to Good Standing, you must complete the next regular term with a term and overall GPA of 2.00 or higher. We recommend doing the following as you work to return to good standing. 

Engage in thoughtful reflection 

Take time to reflect on the previous term. What went well? What challenges did you encounter? Reflecting on obstacles you faced and how you can overcome them is an important part of moving forward. Before the following quarter begins, we encourage students to reflect on the following questions:

  • What are your academic goals and do you feel they are realistic? Are they truly your goals?
  • Is UC Davis meeting your academic and personal needs?
  • Are you ready to continue your studies at UC Davis or do you feel a break from school could be beneficial? Would time off allow you to address specific issues (ie: health, financial, personal, or family)? 
  • What specific actions can you take to improve your academic situation? Examples include: 
    • Reducing unit load
    • Working fewer hours at your job
    • Changing your living environment
    • Committing to utilizing campus resources on regular basis
Identify Resources for Support
  • Health and Wellness: In some cases, academic difficulty has less to do with the courses themselves, and more to do with serious outside factors impacting your ability to be successful. Ultimately, you can’t fully prioritize your academics if you are having difficulties with your physical, mental, financial or emotional health. 
  • Academic Success: Often, students share that the study habits, time management strategies, and academic resources they used previously in their academic career do not set them up for success in the fast-paced quarter system at UC Davis. We strongly encourage you to explore the wide breadth of academic resources (other than appointments with your major and college advisor) that are available to you. 
  • Community Networks and Support:  While taking academic courses is a primary function of your day-to-day life as an Aggie, you are more than just a scholar. You are a multi-faceted person whose unique experiences and perspectives contribute to our Aggie community. Feeling a sense of belonging on campus is a crucial part of your development as a student and a person.  We encourage you to explore the various community spaces available on campus to develop your network of support. 
Create an Academic Plan 
  • Identify the grades required for you to return to Good Standing. 
    • If your overall GPA is below 2.00, you’ll need to improve it to 2.00 or higher. 
    • If your overall GPA is above 2.00 (you’re on academic notice because of your last term GPA), you’ll need to earn a GPA of 2.00 or higher the following term to return to Good Standing. 
  • Adjust your course schedule if needed for a manageable workload.
    • Take no more than 2 STEM classes, 2 upper division major courses, or 2 Writing Intensive classes
    • Keep your course load around 12–16 units.
    • Make sure you are in a reasonable and appropriate course load. For example, if you received a D, F or NP in a series course, you should not be enrolled in the next course in the series (i.e. do not register for MAT 19B if you received a D in MAT 19A). Instead, plan to repeat courses if appropriate.
    • Consider creating an academic plan in consultation with your major advisor. If you have been following a specific major plan unsuccessfully, adjust your schedule to reflect a viable alternative major.

 Be aware that you are not allowed to elect for Optional P/NP grading in letter graded courses if you are not in good academic standing for GPA. 

Connect with an Advisor

Meeting with an academic advisor can provide you with personalized support to understand your status, set goals, and develop a plan to improve your GPA. Advisors are available for one-on-one appointments or you can meet with us during Express Advising hours. We can help you review your academic progress, discuss strategies for improvement, and provide information about resources on campus.

Although this may be a challenging time, remember that we are here to support you. Sometimes achieving your goals may not look like what you envisioned, but we are here to discuss your options and work with you to create a path to your academic success.