I am currently nearing the end of a sub par first year at mac. First semester i did not fail any courses, although my marks were never higher then a D+. I also dropped one course in each of the semesters. This semester i am doing similarily but am in line to fail at least one course, possibly another. Is this grounds for me to get kicked out once first year concludes? I have read that if u have under a 3.0 (me) that you cannot continue at the university but i dont know if htey enforce this or if it is true. I also heard that that can only apply at the end of second year. Any information shared is appreciated. Thank you.

Expectations/requirements vary by department/faculty. You're best off talking to an academic adviser in your faculty sooner rather than later.

If I recall correctly, if you have been put on academic probation and do not meet the standards of the probation (i.e. don't have the neccessary average to stay enrolled) you will not be permitted to continue. You can be put on probation after completing the first term of first year.

It is my understanding that you are informed if you are on probation, although I am not positive about this.

it might be worth adding that i was NOT put on acamdeic probation at the end of first semester, i recieved no warnings or other emails from hte university

You may have first semester of second year to see if you stay at Mac. But that is if they explicitly state you are on probation, which I already stated I'm unsure about.

fair enough, thanks for your input

It would be a really, really good idea to talk to your faculty's academic counsellor ASAP. I'm sure it isn't easy for you, worrying about what could happen without knowing anything.

As far as I know, having a sessional average of less than 3.5 (3.0-3.4) will put you on academic probation. What this means is, because your final marks for first year haven't been factored in yet, they haven't contacted you about it. If your final CA is under 3.5 by the end of this year, they most likely will contact you.

http://registrar.mcmaster.ca /calen...08/sec_115.htm

Do your best on your exams, it can make a huge difference.

McMaster does not place first year students on academic probation because you need to be accepted into a program/degree first (which happens when you apply for level 2). If your average is below 3.0 you can try and apply for reinstatement where they will reset your average to 0 and you start over again. You have to fill out a form and write a letter explaining your poor success etc. Reinstatement is not guarenteed so make sure you have a good reason. Your best option is to go talk to your academic advisor and see what they have to say, and ace those exams.

bodiddy, when you say "McMaster does not place first year students on academic probation because you need to be accepted into a program/degree first (which happens when you apply for level 2).", what exactly do you mean? Are you saying that McMaster does not place first year students on academic probation or kick them out at all? OR are you saying that McMaster does not give first year students the chance to be put on probation to prove they can better marks, and instead just kick them out immediately?

I would disagree completely with bodiddy. I had friends who were on academic probation for Term II of first year...

Yeah man, have you heard of re-froshing?

Originally Posted by bodiddy

McMaster does not place first year students on academic probation because you need to be accepted into a program/degree first (which happens when you apply for level 2). If your average is below 3.0 you can try and apply for reinstatement where they will reset your average to 0 and you start over again. You have to fill out a form and write a letter explaining your poor success etc. Reinstatement is not guarenteed so make sure you have a good reason. Your best option is to go talk to your academic advisor and see what they have to say, and ace those exams.

I don't get it though, most programs require certain minimums to get into them for second year, so if someone can't make it, what happens then?

refrosh and get your marks higher!

i know in engineering theres usually at least 2 or 3 programs that don't fill up completely, so you can get in them with the bare minimum, though. so you can choose to try those, too.

Originally Posted by micadjems

refrosh and get your marks higher!

i know in engineering theres usually at least 2 or 3 programs that don't fill up completely, so you can get in them with the bare minimum, though. so you can choose to try those, too.

So kids who dont get at least a 4.0 are drafted into a random stream that has space? Surely there has to be some limitations to this..I doubt kids with a 2.0 can get a one way ticket to a 2nd yr eng program...

no, you need a 4.0 at least

but if you have 4.01 let's say, youll likely get into comp or eng phys