Congratulations, you've been placed on academic probation! You made a mistake or maybe a few mistakes and now you're facing the consequences of such actions. This means you're adulting, you're living, you're dealing with it and facing this head on. So, yes, CONGRATULATIONS!
Now, on those consequences. Probation should be taken seriously. While this is not something permanently on your transcript it does mean that as long as you are on probation you are not in "good standing" at the College. You may not be eligible for various opportunities such as internships, fellowships or study abroad programs. More importantly, the stakes are higher: if you receive any failing grade while on probation you may be required to withdraw from the College. This is when the Ad Board is a fantastic space because we take the opportunity to hear from hear each and every one of you (in the form of a statement you give to your Resident Dean) in case there's any circumstance that you'd like us to consider. Sometimes this means staying on probation for another term. Sometimes it means moving along to a requirement to withdraw, it depends on a lot of factors that can be discussed with your Resident Dean and/or other advisors. This is why your relationship with your Resident Dean is crucial to your career at the College (and why you should answer our emails).
Probation is not supposed to be punitive but, rather, a structured learning opportunity for you to really focus on your academic responsibilities. Remember, we are a school first and last and you may be involved in dozens of extracurricular activities but that is all that they are: EXTRAcurriculars.
Put it this way: You can't be in that play, show, event, magazine, newspaper, contest, conference if you're not an enrolled student in the first place. And the only way to be an enrolled student in the College is to prioritize your courses!
Personally speaking, if I were King of Harvard I wouldn't allow extracurriculars while on probation and I'd place a cap on the number allowed for first-year students but that's for another post some other time ;p
More information on Academic Probation here.
More information on Academic Review here.
Helpful Stats on Academic Review