Georgia Institute of Technology

Each semester, instructors of 1000- and 2000-level classes submit Midterm Progress Reports, based on students’ performance in the first six weeks of the term.  Below are frequently asked questions about Midterm Progress Reports and how to respond to Unsatisfactory grades. 

1. What are midterm progress reports, and what are the consequences for a U?
Midterm progress report grades are required for all 1000- and 2000-level classes at Georgia Tech and are intended to alert you to problems with your academic performance.  Generally speaking, a grade of Satisfactory (S) indicates a performance at the level of C or better; a grade of Unsatisfactory (U) indicates a performance at the level of D or F.  However, an instructor may assign a U to indicate possible trouble (because of poor attendance or recent quiz grades), even for students who have a passing average.  Midterm progress reports do not appear on your transcript and do not affect your GPA; they are intended solely as an early warning to help students who are in academic peril to get back on track.

2. What should I do if I have a midterm U?
Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor!  Academic advisors are interested in your academic well-being and will have guidance for you about next steps.  Your advisor will require that you visit if you have more than one midterm U.  Please schedule this appointment promptly, so that you will not have registration holds placed on your account that might prevent you from registering or dropping a class.

You should also see the professor or TA for the course or courses for which you received a U. Professors want students to succeed in their courses and can provide explanations about course content that you might not have fully understood. When you visit your professors, you should respect their time and approach them with specific questions about the content of the course (e.g. “I seem to have missed the questions that involve integration by parts. Can you show me where I’m going wrong?”).

3. What resources are available to help me with specific subjects?
The Center for Academic Success has many programs to help students with 1000- and 2000-level classes:

1-to-1 Tutoring: CAS offers free peer tutoring for more than 80 courses, but you must schedule appointments at least 24 hours ahead of time.

PLUS—Peer-Led Undergraduate Study: Twice-weekly group study is facilitated by a student who has already made an A in the class.  Students who regularly attend PLUS sessions are much more likely to earn an A or B in the course than peers who do not attend those sessions.

Commons Tutoring: Come see your TAs and get help with exercises in CS 1371, Chemistry, Physics, and Math classes.  

In addition to the CAS-sponsored tutoring and academic success programs, tutoring services are available through other campus departments.  

The Communication Center on the fourth floor of Clough offers one-to-one tutoring in written, oral, visual, or electronic communication.

OMED offers tutoring in several subjects Sunday-Thursday, 5:00 pm-10:00 pm.  See the OMED web site for specific times, locations, and subjects.

4. What resources are available to help me with study skills such as time management, test preparation, preparing for class, and note-taking?

The Center for Academic Success offers free Academic Coaching appointments with our professional staff.  These one-on-one appointments can help you set goals, find motivation, and address specific study skills.

Reboot is an academic recovery program for students who are not meeting their own academic expectations.  This is a voluntary, non-credit program that includes both a weekly seminar-style group session and opportunities to work individually with Center for Academic Success staff.

5. What resources are available to help me with personal problems that are interfering with my academic performance?
The Counseling Center offers a variety of services, including individual and group counseling, as well as self-help materials, to help students succeed academically and personally.

Hall Directors in the Department of Housing are another good resource for students who want some individual attention.  They are available to hear your concerns and direct you to appropriate resources on campus.

The Center for Career Discovery & Development (C2D2) can help you to set goals and find motivation by counseling you on possible careers to suit your values and interests. 

6. What if I believe I cannot pass a class?

Please speak to professors, advisors, and other campus professionals to ensure that you are making an informed decision about dropping a course. The last day to withdraw from a single course or from all courses with “W” grades is usually the tenth week of the term.  See http://www.registrar.gatech.edu/calendar/index.php for the exact date.

The Center for Academic Success offers “To Drop or Not?” workshops to help students reason through the advantages and disadvantages of dropping a course.  See success.gatech.edu for specific dates.

7. Does Georgia Tech care about my academic success?

Yes.  Faculty members, advisors, CAS professionals, and student affairs staff are all committed to your academic wellbeing.  Georgia Tech has implemented many programs to help you succeed academically, and we are always looking for new strategies.  If you have ideas or suggestions for resources that are not featured here, please let us know by contacting success@gatech.edu.

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