Ask a Professor: What Happens When You Get Expelled From College | BestColleges (2024)

What can get you expelled from college? And what can you do after being expelled? A college professor explains your options when facing expulsion.

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Genevieve Carlton, Ph.D.Read Full Bio

Contributing Writer

An award-winning historian and writer, Genevieve Carlton, Ph.D., has published multiple scholarly articles and a book with the University of Chicago Press. She currently works as a writer and consultant. She holds a Ph.D. in history from Northwestern...

Updated on August 28, 2024

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Tyler EppsRead Full Bio

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Tyler Epps is an editor for BestColleges. He writes and edits content about higher education, specializing in degree planning and college rankings. He is passionate about helping students prepare for college and navigate their educational journey. He...

Learn more about our editorial process

By

Genevieve Carlton, Ph.D.Read Full Bio

Contributing Writer

An award-winning historian and writer, Genevieve Carlton, Ph.D., has published multiple scholarly articles and a book with the University of Chicago Press. She currently works as a writer and consultant. She holds a Ph.D. in history from Northwestern...

Edited by

Tyler EppsRead Full Bio

Editor & Writer

Tyler Epps is an editor for BestColleges. He writes and edits content about higher education, specializing in degree planning and college rankings. He is passionate about helping students prepare for college and navigate their educational journey. He...

Updated on August 28, 2024

Learn more about our editorial process

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Colleges rarely expel students for academic reasons. Most schools work with students struggling academically who risk expulsion. However, colleges have the right to expel students for violating policies or the code of conduct.

While expulsions are rare, they do occur. So what does it mean to be expelled from college? What can cause an expulsion? And can you still earn a degree after being expelled?

What Does It Mean to Be Expelled From College?

Colleges and universities expel students who violate campus policies, fail to meet academic standards, or break the law. Expulsion is a very serious step. Students can no longer attend the school after an expulsion.

Before expelling students, colleges typically conduct an investigation and hold hearings where students can defend themselves. In some cases, students can voluntarily withdraw before an expulsion.

What's the difference between suspension and expulsion?

Colleges may temporarily suspend students as a disciplinary action. Expulsion means permanently losing your place at the college. After a suspension, undergrads can return to the school and register for classes.

Returning after an expulsion is more difficult. At many schools, students may face a suspension or probation before being expelled. Undergraduates can also appeal a suspension or expulsion.

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What Causes Expulsion in College?

Expulsion is a significant decision. Colleges generally resort to expulsion in serious situations where there are no other remedies. For example, a persistent failing academic record, cheating, or illegal activity can result in expulsion.

Academic Probation

Colleges have clear policies on academic performance. Students who drop below a minimum GPA, often 2.0, typically receive academic probation. If students fail to make progress or continue to receive low grades, the college can expel them.

Schools generally avoid expelling undergraduates for one failing grade or even one semester with low grades.

However, students with persistent academic problems, including multiple failing grades, can face expulsion. In these situations, students often have the option to withdraw from school before an expulsion. A withdrawal gives students more options to return to school later.

Academic Integrity Violations

Colleges set academic integrity policies that include expulsion as a disciplinary action. For example, serious cases of plagiarism or cheating may result in expulsion. So can falsifying documents.

After the 2019 college admissions scandal, for example, multiple universities expelled students linked to it.

The process for addressing academic integrity violations typically includes a hearing where students can explain their actions. Cases of accidental plagiarism, for example, typically do not lead to expulsion. Chapman University has a list of common academic integrity violations that offers more examples that could lead to expulsion.

Criminal Activity

Criminal activity — even off-campus criminal activity — can lead to expulsion. Colleges have student conduct policies that lay out the consequences for different violations.

Minor violations like a parking ticket do not rise to the level of expulsion. But more serious criminal accusations can result in suspension or expulsion. In particular, schools can expel students deemed a threat to others.

Violating Campus Housing Policies

It may seem minor compared to breaking the law or cheating on a test, but campus housing violations can be serious. And violating your school's campus housing policies can result in expulsion.

Typically, colleges take several steps before expulsion, including warnings, suspensions, and expulsion from on-campus housing. But for serious violations, the consequences can include expulsion from the school.

Illegal drugs, violent behavior, or harassment can represent serious violations.

Can You Appeal an Expulsion or Suspension?

Each school has its own process for expelling students, which often includes an investigation or hearing. But can you appeal an expulsion or suspension after the school reaches its final ruling?

Students can appeal a suspension or expulsion. However, colleges only allow appeals for specific reasons, such as an error in the investigation or new information. They may also limit the timeframe to submit an appeal.

Read your school's policies closely to make sure you understand the appeal process. You can also reach out to an attorney who specializes in expulsion appeals.

Can You Go Back to College After Being Expelled?

Is it possible to finish your degree after an expulsion? Yes, students expelled from college can still earn a degree. However, an expulsion can limit their options.

Below are four steps you can follow to return to college after an expulsion:

1 Consider an Appeal

If you're hoping to gain readmission to your previous school, consider filing an appeal of your expulsion. Keep in mind that schools follow a process to decide expulsions, so an appeal might not work. If the school does overturn the expulsion, you can reenroll.

2 Research Readmission

Just like schools have codes of conduct, they also have readmission policies. At some schools, you can apply for readmission after an expulsion. At the University of Hawaii at Manoa, for example, students expelled for low grades can apply for readmission after one year.

3 Contact Your Former School

If you decide to apply to other schools, it's still a good idea to contact your former school. Ask about the materials they provide to other schools when you apply for admission. It's important to know what records the school shares so you can explain the expulsion.

4 Disclose the Expulsion

When applying to new schools, make sure to disclose the expulsion on your application. Never lie or cover up an expulsion. That can be grounds for expulsion from your new school. Instead, provide context and an explanation for the expulsion on your record.

How to Avoid Expulsion

An expulsion will appear on your academic record permanently. Even if you return to college and graduate, the expulsion remains on your record. So the best way to handle an expulsion is to avoid it, if possible.

Make sure you understand your school's policies and procedures. If you've violated a policy, research the potential outcomes and what steps you can take to avoid expulsion. A student adviser at your school can help you understand policies.

If the school does expel you, look into the appeals process. An overturned expulsion will have less impact than an expulsion still listed on your record. Overall, take steps to follow your school's policies and consider withdrawing before an academic expulsion.

For example, if you're on academic probation because of medical issues or a mental health condition, a temporary withdrawal makes it easier to return than an expulsion. If you are expelled from college, take time to reflect on the cause of your expulsion. Then, consider your next steps.

Frequently Asked Questions About College Expulsion

What does "expel" mean in college?

Getting expelled from college is one of the most serious disciplinary actions. Colleges expel students who violate academic integrity policies, break the law, or create an unsafe campus environment. They also dismiss students who fail to meet academic standards.

What happens if you are expelled from college?

If you are expelled from college, you can no longer attend the school. At some colleges, expelled students face arrest if they return to campus.

After an expulsion, you have several options. You can apply to other schools to finish your degree. You can pursue different forms of education and training. Or you can appeal your expulsion. Some colleges let expelled students apply for readmission after 1-5 years.

Are expulsions temporary?

Unlike a suspension, expulsions are not temporary. Instead, the student must leave the school. However, students can appeal an expulsion or apply for readmission after a certain amount of time. These policies vary depending on the school.

Does expulsion show up on transcripts?

Yes, college expulsions show up on your transcripts. As a result, you should never lie or cover up an expulsion when applying to other schools or applying to jobs. Instead, disclose the expulsion and provide context.

Ask a Professor: What Happens When You Get Expelled From College | BestColleges (2024)

FAQs

Ask a Professor: What Happens When You Get Expelled From College | BestColleges? ›

An expulsion will appear on your academic record permanently. Even if you return to college and graduate, the expulsion remains on your record. So the best way to handle an expulsion is to avoid it, if possible.

What to do if you get kicked out of college? ›

Explore alternatives: Research different educational pathways, such as community college or trade schools, where you can continue your education or acquire new skills. 4. Readmission: If you're eligible for readmission, work hard to address the issues that led to your dismissal and make a strong case for your return.

What are the consequences of being expelled? ›

When a student is expelled from school they are removed from school, sometimes permanently. Expulsion is the last resort punishment for student behavior. If the removal by expulsion is permanent the parents would have to find another school system that would accept the student or they would have to homeschool them.

Is it hard to get into another college after being expelled? ›

If you have been suspended or expelled, the rules at one school may prohibit you from transferring, while a transfer could be allowed under the rules of another school.

Will an expulsion be on your transcript permanently? ›

Expulsion from the university: Permanent termination of student status. A permanent notation will appear on the student's transcript.

What happens when you are expelled from college? ›

If you are expelled from college, you can no longer attend the school. At some colleges, expelled students face arrest if they return to campus. After an expulsion, you have several options. You can apply to other schools to finish your degree.

Is my life over if I get kicked out of college? ›

You could move on with your life and choose a different educational path, but being dismissed from even a community college will leave a mark on your academic record that may prevent you from other educational opportunities in the future. Seeking legal help after being kicked out of community college makes sense.

How does expulsion affect your future? ›

And, the reason for this is as follows: expulsion not only creates educational challenges, it can affect their post-education future. Just as an example, if your child is expelled, then it may be more difficult for them to get into college or even obtain their high school diploma.

How bad is getting expelled? ›

Since expulsion is the most serious disciplinary action that a school can take, it is seen as a last resort punishment by the school. In public schools, it is reserved for the most serious behaviors. Public schools have a responsibility to provide an education to the children living within their boundaries.

What are the disadvantages of being expelled? ›

Suspension and expulsion lead to negative school climate and impact all students. Students who are not in school are more likely to engage in risky behaviors. Students who are suspended are more likely to be involved in the criminal legal system.

Can a student come back after expulsion? ›

For a pupil who has been expelled pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 48915, the governing board shall set a date of one year from the date the expulsion occurred, when the pupil shall be reviewed for readmission to a school maintained by the district, except that the governing board may set an earlier date for ...

What is it called when you get expelled from college? ›

Expulsion, also known as dismissal, withdrawal, or permanent exclusion (British English), is the permanent removal or banning of a student from a school, school district, college, university, or TAFE due to persistent violation of that institution's rules, or in extreme cases, for a single offense of marked severity.

What is the difference between expulsion and expelled? ›

To expel is to drive out, and its usual noun is expulsion. Expel is similar to eject, but expel suggests pushing out while eject suggests throwing out. Also, ejecting may only be temporary: the player ejected from a game may be back tomorrow, but the student expelled from school is probably out forever.

Do colleges look at expulsion? ›

Colleges do care about your disciplinary history, your so-called “permanent record.” Of course, not all offenses are weighted equally, and not all colleges ask. In this article we'll cover which colleges care, why they care, how you need to inform them, and how all of this affects your chances of college admission.

How bad does a suspension look on a college application? ›

Colleges definitely still accept students if they have a suspension on their record. However, it's important to keep in mind that the way a suspension is viewed is going to vary by school or even by admissions officers within a specific school.

Do college suspensions show up on transcripts? ›

Does suspension affect my transcript? Yes. When suspension is under one year, suspension is noted on a student's transcript during the suspension period, the notation is removed at the conclusion of the suspension, and the disciplinary record is retained for seven years.

Can you reapply to college if you get kicked out? ›

Things You Should Know

Re-enroll in the college you were dismissed from after your dismissal period has passed. You may need to reapply. Apply to a new school if you want a change. Every college will accept previously-dismissed students, so don't sell yourself short.

What happens if you get kicked out of your major in college? ›

Rather, the student is out of a certain major, program, or academic pursuit because requirements were not met. The postsecondary student in this situation can still remain in the college usually, but may have to pick a new major or degree.

What is it called when you get kicked out of college? ›

Expulsion, also known as dismissal, withdrawal, or permanent exclusion (British English), is the permanent removal or banning of a student from a school, school district, college, university, or TAFE due to persistent violation of that institution's rules, or in extreme cases, for a single offense of marked severity.

Why would someone get kicked out of college? ›

What can get you kicked out of college? The issues that may get you kicked out from your alma mater include violating the college's code of conduct, being engaged in severe academic misconduct, or being related to some illegal activities on campus or off campus.

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