CREDIT LIMITS FOR STUDENTS ON WARNING

Students in academic difficulty may think they need to "make up for lost time" or compensate for failing grades in a previous semester by taking a larger number of subjects and units in the next semester. Experience shows, however, that such overloading usually hinders academic recovery. That is why CAP places a limit on the number of units for which a student on Warning may register during his or her next regular term at MIT.

The usual limit is four subjects (48 units for freshmen; 48-51 units in no more than four subjects for upperclass students). At the time of the Warning vote in January or June, the student's home department (not the student) may request a higher or lower limit to fit an individual situation. Students placed on Warning by recommendation of the Communication Requirement Office have a limit of 36 (CC, WC) or 48 (C) units plus a CI subject.

Students on Warning whose next term record is unsatisfactory may be required to withdraw from the Institute. If you are on Warning, it is in your best interest to register for and do well in a reasonable number of subjects during a recovery term. Missing units can usually be made up later—in future terms, over summers, or during IAP.

PETITIONING TO EXCEED A WARNING CREDIT LIMIT

If you and your advisor believe there are sound educational reasons for you to exceed a Warning Credit Limit, you may petition the Committee on Academic Performance near the beginning of the term. Such petitions should be reviewed at the first CAP meeting of the term: see Petition Deadlines elsewhere on this site.

Do not register for more units than the credit limit allows. CAP will review a petition before Add Date so that you can add a subject if your petition is approved.

CAP rarely approves petitions to exceed a Warning Credit Limit. You and your advisor may consult the Committee's Staff Associate in advance to learn more about how CAP has handled such petitions.

Petitions to exceed a Warning Credit Limit include three statements.

• Student Statement:
  
  Explain in specific terms why you need to exceed the limit and what leads you to believe that you can complete the term successfully with a heavier load. Explain how you will find time to meet all academic and other commitments.
  
  
• Advisor Statement:
  
  Your advisor should indicate the degree to which s/he supports your request, and provide any clarifying or corroborating information that may help the Committee's decision.
  
  
• Undergraduate Officer's Approval:
  
  The Undergraduate Officer of your major department, or for first-year students Dean Julie Norman, should indicate whether the department supports your request, and provide any information that may help the Committee make an informed decision.

Your statement and the undergraduate officer's approval must be submitted in hard copy on the petition form; your advisor's statement may be emailed to cap-help@mit.edu.

See the Petition Process section of this site for general information on preparing a petition, submission deadlines, and petition review.

Download Petition to Exceed Warning Credit Limit (PDF)

If you have any questions on Warning Credit Limits, please contact CAP.