What is Disqualification?
If you were on Academic Notice and did not transition to Good Standing with your semester grades, you may be required to take a break from attending UC Berkeley. This is called being "disqualified.” Disqualification (formerly known at Dismissal) is meant to allow you time to find direction, overcome struggles, and demonstrate your readiness to get back on track at UC Berkeley. L&S Advisers have worked with many students through their disqualification period, offering encouragement and guidance to not only return to UC Berkeley, but to achieve bigger picture goals.
How does it work? If you do not transition to Good Standing after a standard Fall or Spring semester on Academic Notice, then you are subject to temporary disqualification from the university. In this situation, you can either be granted Continued Academic Notice status or be temporarily disqualified from attending standard semesters at UC Berkeley until conditions have been met. In order to resume studies at UC Berkeley after disqualification, you will need to be readmitted by the L&S Deans' Conference. Please see the Readmission after Disqualification page for further details on how to return to UC Berkeley after Disqualification.
There is no appeal or petition process on academic disqualification decisions. All decisions are final. While disqualified, you will still have access to meet with L&S College Advisers. If you have been Disqualified, review the terms for being Readmitted after Disqualification with a College Adviser. They are here for you and are a valuable resource during your terms away. Advisers can help you prepare a complete Readmission after Disqualification application for a successful return to UC Berkeley. Please note that advisers do not have adjudication authority and cannot reverse a Disqualification decision. There is no limit on how many times you can be disqualified from the College.
For students who are not disqualified by the College of Letters and Science, there is a separate readmission process.
Note: If your grades are retroactively changed at any point (e.g. by resolving an Incomplete or being granted a retroactive withdrawal), your academic standing in the subsequent semester will not change. Your official transcript will continue to reflect Disqualification and you will still need to fulfill the requirements for Readmission after Disqualification.
Disqualification FAQ
What to do when you are disqualified
assess
The goal is to allow you time and space to address the challenges that have led to your academic difficulty. You came to UC Berkeley with goals, whether it was to graduate or to achieve something larger, and have encountered obstacles. This is a chance to reflect and plan for the future.
After being disqualified, it can be helpful to first take some time to honestly assess the factors you believe may have impacted your academics. These may relate to the classroom (i.e. study skills, major choice) or may be rooted outside of academics (i.e. health/mental health, financial, family, etc.). Identify if there are things you can change, resources that can support you, or strategies you can develop. You may realize that the timing is not right for focusing on school and decide to take a full break from school until challenges are resolved. You can take the time you need.
Standard terms
When you are ready, meet with an L&S College Adviser to plan for your readmission. To be readmitted, you will need to complete "standard terms." This means attending another institution for at least two terms (semesters or quarters) and earn B grades or better as a full-time student, unless you are eligible for reduced course load (more details about this process and the types of institutions you may choose, including UC Berkeley Summer Sessions or UC Berkeley Extension, can be found on the Readmission After Disqualification page). An adviser will help you plan class schedules that meet expectations for these terms, including choosing transferable coursework and designing schedules that reflect what you plan to take at UC Berkeley in the future. An adviser can also help you determine whether it is possible to satisfy any degree requirements during these terms and discuss timelines that may work best for you.
If you are a Financial Aid recipient, you should discuss your next steps with Financial Aid to understand your best options as it relates to financial aid.
Apply for readmission after disqualification
You can typically apply for readmission after disqualification when your first standard term is completed with Bs or better and your second standard term is in progress. This timeline may or may not work well for you depending on timing and availability of courses for your specific major direction. An L&S Adviser can discuss this with you in more depth to make a plan that fits your goals.
Once you are ready to come back or planning to come back, please read our Readmission after Disqualification page in order to get all the necessary details and information.
Approval required for Summer Sessions or UC Berkeley Extension
Disqualified students may be eligible to enroll in UC Berkeley Summer Session and/or UC Berkeley Extension courses and receive units and grade points towards their UC GPA, but these requests must be approved by L&S.
UC Berkeley Summer Session may count as one of your two standard terms, but the other term must be a regular Fall or Spring semester at another institution.
Prior to enrolling in summer courses, or as soon as you have been notified of your disqualification status, discuss your summer plans and grade points with an L&S College Adviser.
To request grade point approval for UC Berkeley Extension (e.g. XB and XBW) courses, students should meet with an L&S College Adviser before enrolling in courses.
I want to change my college to L&S as part of my Readmission after Disqualification. What do I need to do?
You may submit a Readmission after Disqualification application and a Change of College petition to L&S at the same time. Please meet with an L&S College Adviser to discuss the Change of College policy and criteria that must be met alongside the criteria for Readmission after Disqualification. If you are not eligible to change into L&S at the time of your readmission, you may readmit to your home college and work on a plan to later change colleges to L&S.
I am a transfer student and have already reached the 70 unit transfer cap and/or have completed all prerequisites for my major. How will terms away at a community college benefit my educational plans?
Taking time away at a community college can be an opportunity to:
- Take UC transferable courses that can supplement major exploration or major completion. There may be certain subjects or areas of focus that are not offered at UC Berkeley. Or, you may wish to deepen or enhance your knowledge in a particular area while away.
- Take courses that could inform a potential alternate major or minor upon your return to UC Berkeley.
- Take courses that could provide you with the necessary knowledge and skills to inform your goals for graduate school, your career, or other post-graduation opportunities.
Whichever direction you decide to take during your time away, having intentionality and purpose behind your class choices can be helpful in assessing your readiness to return to UC Berkeley and commitment to earning a bachelor's degree. L&S Advising is available to you while you are away. We welcome you to meet with us to discuss your plans.
Can I complete one term away instead of two?
All students must complete two terms away. However, you can submit your Readmission after Disqualification application after you have completed your first term away with Bs or better. If you are approved for Readmission after Disqualification, your final readmission will be contingent upon your completion of the second term away and submission of transcripts reflecting B grades or better in all of your courses.
Do I still need to resolve my Incomplete(s) while disqualified?
If you have been disqualified, you are still required to resolve your Incompletes through one of the 3 pathways (resolve, extend, or freeze) by the Incomplete deadline shown on your CalCentral.
I have been disqualified after Spring but have already enrolled in Summer Sessions. Will my Summer courses be cancelled?
If you are disqualified after Spring but have already enrolled in Berkeley Summer Sessions, L&S will not cancel your summer enrollment. You will still be enrolled in your summer courses, and liable for the related fees, unless you withdraw from your Summer Sessions by the appropriate deadlines. The college will update your academic standing to Disqualification after Summer Sessions.
What should I do if I am Disqualified while on a F-1 or J-1 visa?
If you are disqualified while on a F-1 or J-1 visa, you should consult with the Berkeley International Office immediately. BIO advisers are prepared to discuss how to protect your visa status in case of disqualification. BIO’s advising and student services offerings are listed on BIO's webpage here.
Will Disqualification show on my transcript?
Yes, Disqualification will be reflected on your official transcript.