SOAP Simplified

SOAP stands for "Standards of Academic Progress." SOAP is Oakton College's academic policy which requires that students maintain a 2.0 Grade Point Average (GPA). Failure to meet SOAP criteria can result in academic suspension or dismissal. SOAP criteria are applied after students have attempted (not earned) 9 credit hours at Oakton College. When 9 credit hours have been attempted, students' records are automatically reviewed each semester to determine if satisfactory progress is being maintained.

What is satisfactory progress?

Maintaining a minimum 2.0 (GPA) each semester and cumulatively.

How does Oakton calculate the GPA?

  1. Oakton calculates the GPA using A, B, C, D, F, and I (incomplete) grades. F grades for courses numbered below 100 (i.e., 092, 097, 045) are not used in this computation of academic status.
  2. The indicators N (No Show), V (Audit), Q (no grade submitted by instructor), and W (withdrawal) will not be included in your GPA.

The following chart summarizes Oakton's progressive SOAP stages:

Standards of Academic Progress Stages
Consecutive Semesters Below 2.00 GPA Your Student Status Interventions and/or Restrictions

1

Academic Probation

Students will be restricted in one or more of the following ways:
a) number of hours for which you can enroll,
b) courses for which you can enroll,
c) enroll only with the approval of appropriate college personnel,
d) required to take the English placement test.

2

Academic Suspension

Students are suspended for one term (unless their cumulative GPA remains above 2.0) and upon their return must see an Academic Advisor prior to registration. Students who are returning from suspension should submit the Authorization Request for Student Re-enrollment (PDF (32 KB) to the Vice President for Student Affairs. Students will be restricted in one or more of the following ways:
a) number of hours for which you can enroll,
b) courses for which you can enroll,
c) enroll only with the approval of appropriate college personnel,
d) required to take the English placement test.

3

Academic Dismissal

Students are dismissed for one calendar year. Re-admission is not automatic. Students seeking readmission after dismissal must submit the Authorization Request for Student Re-enrollment (PDF) (32 KB) to the Vice President for Student Affairs prior to the start of the semester. If permission is granted, students return to Oakton on Dismissal Return status and must see an advisor or counselor prior to registration. Students will receive a written response from the college within 5 business days of submitting the re-enrollment request form.

NOTE: Students seeking readmission before the end of their suspension or dismissal period are expected to provide a letter of appeal. The letter should be typed.