* The specific college or university: Each institution has its own attendance policies.
* The individual professor or instructor: Even within a university, different professors may have different tolerance levels for absences. Some might have strict attendance policies, while others might be more lenient.
* The course itself: Some courses, particularly labs or studios, might have stricter attendance requirements due to the hands-on nature of the work.
* The student's overall performance: A student with perfect grades might be able to miss more classes than a student struggling with the material. Professors often consider the overall academic performance when deciding whether or not to penalize absences.
In short: You must check your college's syllabus, or your professor's course information, for the specific attendance policy of each class. Don't assume a certain number of absences is acceptable – contact your professor if you have concerns.