Student Progress & Academic Success

To support the mission of the Arts & Sciences and the work of the College Office, the Student Progress & Academic Success unit supports undergraduate students as they navigate academic challenges, transitions, and opportunities for growth. We help students understand their circumstances, explore available options, connect with appropriate resources, and take informed action toward their goals. 

Student Progress: We help students understand their options, navigate changes in academic standing, leaves of absence, reinstatement, and other academic transitions, and make informed decisions that support continued progress toward graduation. 

Academic Success: We coordinate support, interventions, and academic recovery resources that help students respond to challenges, build effective strategies, and move through challenge toward success. 

Our work is grounded in the belief that challenges and setbacks are a normal part of learning and development. Through personalized guidance, coordinated support, and collaboration with advisors, faculty, and campus partners, we assist students in making meaningful progress toward graduation and beyond.

Recommended Academic Momentum Program

Building Momentum for Academic Success 

The Recommended Academic Momentum Program (RAMP) is Arts & Sciences' approach to supporting students who encounter academic challenges while working toward their educational goals. Academic success involves more than grades alone. It also involves reflection, persistence, informed decision-making, effective use of resources, and the ability to adapt when challenges arise. RAMP is designed to help students strengthen these capacities while continuing to make progress toward degree completion. 
 

How RAMP Works 

Academic standing is determined by criteria outlined in the Bulletin, such as Academic Concern, Academic Notice, or Academic Time Away. These indicators suggest that additional support may be beneficial. However, students do not all receive identical supports simply because they share the same academic standing designation. Instead, supports are selected based on factors such as: 
  • Academic performance patterns 
  • Progress toward degree requirements 
  • Course completion history 
  • Previous engagement with support resources 
  • Academic goals and educational trajectory 
This approach recognizes that students experiencing similar academic outcomes may benefit from different types of support. 
 

What RAMP Helps Students Develop 

  • Understanding: Students reflect on experiences, identify patterns, and develop greater awareness of how they approach learning, decision-making, and academic challenges. 
  • Application: Students learn to translate insight into action through planning, accountability, help-seeking, and intentional academic choices. 
  • Sustainability: Students develop habits and approaches that support continued progress, persistence through challenges, and timely movement toward degree completion.
     

Supporting Academic Progress 

RAMP is designed to support: 
  • Academic success 
  • Retention 
  • Persistence 
  • Academic recovery 
  • Timely degree completion 
The program helps students build the awareness, agency, and resilience needed to navigate a rigorous academic environment and continue making meaningful progress toward their goals.
 

What Support Might Be Required? 

Students participating in RAMP may be assigned one or more forms of support. Support activities are selected to help students better understand their academic experiences, strengthen their approach to learning, and maintain progress toward degree completion. Not all students will be assigned the same supports. Learn more about available supports and what they are designed to accomplish:
 

Academic Reflection 

What is it? A guided opportunity to reflect on a recent academic experience, challenge, or semester. 
Why might it be assigned? Reflection helps students identify contributing factors, recognize successful and unsuccessful approaches, and consider how future decisions can support continued progress.
 

Strategic Learning Assessment (SLA) 

What is it? A diagnostic assessment that examines learning-related behaviors associated with academic success. Areas explored include: persistence, growth mindset, time management, focus and concentration, help-seeking, sense of belonging, communication, stress management, and test preparation.
Why might it be assigned? The assessment helps students better understand their academic behaviors and identify areas that may support stronger performance and engagement.
 

Progress Counseling 

What is it? A structured series of meetings with a designated Progress Counselor. 
Why might it be assigned? Progress Counseling provides ongoing support, reflection, and accountability as students work toward academic goals. Conversations often focus on educational planning, decision-making, progress monitoring, resource utilization, and responding to challenges as they arise.
 

Learning Center Support 

What is it? Workshops, consultations, and services offered through The Learning Center. 
Why might it be assigned? These services support students as they navigate academic demands, manage competing responsibilities, prepare for assessments, and strengthen approaches to learning.
 

Assistant Dean Consultation 

What is it? A structured conversation with a member of the Student Progress & Academic Success team. 
Why might it be assigned? These meetings provide opportunities to discuss academic trajectory, degree progress, major feasibility, enrollment planning, barriers to success, and pathways forward.
 

Self-Determination Student Scale (SDSS) 

What is it? A reflection tool focused on self-awareness, planning, action, and learning from experience. 
Why might it be assigned? The SDSS helps students explore readiness, resilience, goal setting, and self-determination while considering future academic plans.
 

College Intensive Study Program Seminar (CISP) 

What is it? A structured academic support seminar designed to promote successful re-engagement and continued progress. 
Why might it be assigned? The seminar provides additional structure, reflection, and support for students returning from academic interruption or experiencing significant academic challenges.

Students may step away from Washington University for academic, personal, military, or medical reasons. Students should review the parameters provided by the Office of the University Registrar, as well as those provided by the College of Arts & Sciences in collaboration with their four-year advisor, in preparation for requesting time away and also returning to WashU. 

 

Time Away from WashU

Time away from WashU can be an important opportunity to reflect, recover, and strengthen your foundation for academic and personal success. Whether your leave was voluntary or required, we encourage you to use this period intentionally — to regain balance, pursue meaningful experiences, or develop strategies that support your long-term goals.

Returning to WashU

Reinstatement requests are reviewed by the College Office and relevant University offices. Every reinstatement or return request is reviewed with care and attention to both your individual circumstances and your readiness to resume full-time study. Whether your time away was voluntary or required, your materials should reflect reflection, growth, and a clear plan for academic success.

Learn More About Time Away and Reinstatements

Helpful Resources for Continued Success

Academic Calendar

find dates for deadlines, holidays, and more

The Learning Center

receive support through academic mentoring and skills coaching

Student Financial Services

receive personalized, confidential assistance to make your dream a reality

Student Health Services

receive premiere, student-centered health and health promotion services

Writing Center & Speaking Studio

get support for writing and public speaking, from brainstorming to final draft and presentation

Disability Resources (DR)

resource for students who have disabilities or suspected disabilities

The Big Four: Behaviors Supporting Academic Success Guide

For Students

Welcome to a new chapter in your academic journey! College is a time of exciting growth, but it can also be a big adjustment. The expectations, independence, and rigor are different from high school—and that’s okay. Many students take time to find their rhythm. You’re not alone, and plenty of resources are available to help you succeed. Take the initiative, stay curious, and don’t hesitate to reach out for support. WashU is here to help you thrive.

To help you navigate these next steps, we created the following guide that includes valuable information on topics like academic progress and academic accommodations, as well as a list of guiding questions and helpful resources.

The Big Four Guide for Students

For Parents

Parents, we encourage you to check in periodically with your student about their experiences in and outside the classroom. Academically, it is common for a student to undergo an adjustment period as the rigor and classroom environment of college are different from high school. Students are more likely to succeed if they use available support resources, even if they didn’t utilize those resources in high school.

To help you navigate this next chapter with your student, we created the following guide that includes valuable information on topics like academic progress and academic accommodations, as well as a list of guiding questions and helpful resources.

The Big Four Guide for Parents

 

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