Academic Appeal Dilemma

Colleges and Universities A-Z Drexel University
1

Hello everyone, I need some advice on what I should do next. Before I start, I will provide some background information that is relevant to my current situation.

Drexel offered 2 accelerated programs, 11-month and 24-month, for the field that I was interested in. I was admitted into the 11-month program. I failed 2 nursing within the first 2 quarters of the program and was dismissed from the 11-month program. I appealed the decision citing family issues and the strenuous academic workload. I was allowed readmission into the 24-month program with the condition that any following failures or withdrawals would result in an automatic academic dismissal with no opportunity to appeal.

Following my readmission, I obtained C/C+ grades before beginning to trend upwards to B/B+ grades in the last 2 quarters. I was close to the completion of my program with only 2 quarters left (Spring Quarter 2018 and Summer Quarter 2018).

Now onto my current situation. Into the second week of Spring Quarter 2018, I encountered a familial crisis (that will be explained in the appeal letter that I have included). I immediately notified my course and clinical instructors of my situation. My course instructor directed me to my advisor and suggested that I take a Leave of Absence to sort out everything. I replied back to both of them and said that I honestly did not feel of sound mind to make a decision yet. I asked if I could see how I do after the first exam, which was about 3-4 days later.

I received an 80% on exam 1 and felt that I may be able to handle the workload on top of everything else. When I took the midterm, I scored a 73.5% and immediately contacted my course instructor for a meeting in person. I explained my family situation and she helped me develop a plan of action for the remainder of the quarter. I was doing well until my mother attempted to commit suicide on May 18th, which was also the last day to withdraw for the quarter. I was an emotional and mental wreck after that.

I contacted my advisor and told her that I did not feel confident that I would pass the exam 3 or the course in my current state of mind. Unfortunately, it was too late to withdraw. I performed as poorly as I feared for exam 3 (72.2%) and my final (77%). I spoke with my instructor after the final (we receive our exam grade immediately after we finish submitting it) and tried to see if there was anything else that I could do to pass the course (the passing grade for the accelerated program is a C or above). She suggested that I speak with my advisor and the chairman of the program. I went home and set up an appointment to meet with both of them.

While I waited for the meeting day, I wrote a letter of appeal to explain my circumstances and obtained medical documentation for my mother’s emergency stay at the hospital following the suicide attempt and documentation that I sought psychology help after the quarter ended (which I fear did not help my case).

I met with my chairman and advisor today and she dismissed me from the program stating that I had ample opportunities to withdraw before the situation worsened and that I had written warning of what would happen if I failed a third time. In no way am I blaming anyone for my faults. Everyone that I have mentioned thus far has tried to help me within the extent of their abilities and I am grateful for their efforts.

All that I am seeking now is advice and assistance on what I can do to salvage my situation. I know that I need time to work through my own personal grief and depression (taking off for three months/one quarter or so), but I do want the opportunity to finish the program in the near future. I am hoping to meet with the Dean to appeal my chairman’s decision, but am unsure if it is the appropriate course of action right now.

I am open to any advice or suggestions. Thank you for reading and taking your time to help me.

2

I have included my appeal letter and a timeline of the events below.

Name
Address
Phone Number
email
ID

June 20, 2018

Dr. Z
Chair of the Accelerated (XYZ) Department
Drexel University
1601 Cherry Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102

RE: Academic Dismissal Appeal

Dear Dr. Z,

My name is Zxxxx Zxxxx and I am writing this letter to appeal my dismissal from Drexel University’s XYZ program. I admit that I had a very difficult time during the last quarter and my grades have suffered as a result. I would like to have the opportunity to explain the circumstances that affected my academic performance and to plead my case for readmission into the program.
In the second week of the quarter, my family and I discovered that my father, who was in Cambodia at the time, was married to and had two children with a woman in Cambodia for the last 10 years. I had to become the primary decision maker for my family as my mother was mentally and emotionally incapable of handling the role during this time of crisis. I became solely responsible for getting my mother the medical and psychological assistance that she needed. I had to translate for my mother during her appointments. I was also responsible for ensuring my brother’s well-being regarding the situation and preventing the exacerbation of my grandmother’s existing psychological disorders. Between my school and my family situation, I was unintentionally neglecting my own health and spreading myself too thin.
When I saw the decline in my academic performance, I scheduled a meeting with Dr. X on May 8th, 2018 to see my Midterm exam and to develop an improvement plan for the remainder of the quarter. I was spending time outside of the house to focus on my studies while my brother watched over my parents in my place. On May 18th, my mother attempted to commit suicide by ingesting an unknown amount of Advil PM pills. I called for an ambulance and stayed with her until she was discharged on May 19th, but the mental and emotional strain from everything was too much for me to cope with. By the time I understood this, it was too late to withdraw or request a leave of absence for the current quarter.
Once I realized that I had to complete the quarter, I shifted all of my focus into passing the quarter and helping myself. I left Philadelphia to stay with a close family friend in Virginia who had also went through a similar situation. During my stay, I studied for the upcoming exam and started working through my own grief and depression. I scheduled a meeting with Mrs. W to discuss my opinions for the current and following quarter. I stayed away from my parents and out of the house until finals were over to remove myself from the situation.
Despite my efforts, it was too little, too late. I should have taken the advice of the people around me and requested a leave of absence when this crisis began, but I was stubborn. I accept full responsibility for my failure and sincerely apologize for my poor performance. I am aware that my past academic performance does not reflect positively upon my abilities to improve, but I have started the process to ensure my future academic success. I have obtained long-term counseling to address my depression and anxiety related to my family crisis. I will be removing myself from the negative environment and temptations by moving out of the house. I have familiarized myself with the CLASS’s academic coaching and tutoring services. I will schedule a meeting with an academic coach within the 1st week of the following quarter and maintain an on-going relationship with him/her to hold myself academically accountable.
I implore you to grant me the opportunity to prove that I can succeed and be the student that I know that I can be.

Respectfully,

Name

Timeline of Events

March 31th Father departed to Cambodia for business

April 11th Found out that my father had a mistress and children in Cambodia

April 13th Mother verbalized suicidal ideations. My brother and I take turns watching her to make sure that she did not follow through with her intentions

April 14th Emailed clinical instructor, Professor Y, explaining family crisis and inability to attend clinical today

April 15th Father left Cambodia on a flight back to Philadelphia

April 16th Father arrived home. My mother wanted me to stay at home as her emotional support while my parents talked

April 17th Exam 1

May 1st Midterm exam

May 8th Met with Dr. X to discuss my declining academic performance and to develop a plan of action for the rest of the quarter

May 14th Parent’s 30th wedding anniversary. Mother’s disposition temporarily regressed and I was finally able to convince her to seek counseling

May 18th The last day to withdraw

May 18th Mother attempted to commit suicide by ingesting 7 to 12 Advil PM pills. I called for an ambulance and she was admitted to Einstein Hospital

May 19th Mother was transferred to LaSalle’s emergency trauma unit for a psychological evaluation before discharge (letter attached)

May 23rd Found out that my brother left for Texas without telling anyone

May 29th Exam 3

May 30th Left for Richmond, VA to stay with a close family friend who has also been through a similar situation

May 31st Emailed my advisor to request a leave of absence

June 6th Came back to Philadelphia to meet with my advisor

June 12th Final exam. Met with Dr. X after the exam.

June 15th Meeting with a counselor to assess my emotional and mental well-being. Was referred to an outpatient therapy facility (appointment set for July 3rd)

3

The chairman is trying to tell you that an accelerated program (either 11 or 24 months) is not right for you. I am sorry for the serious problems your family is facing. You need to find a non-accelerated program – is that a program at Drexel that would utilize some of your completed coursework?

4

I’m sorry you’re struggling. It does sound like you need time off. According to the rules you’ve stated, there is no appeal process for the accelerated nursing program. Are there any non-accelerated programs available?

How are you paying? If you’ve been getting financial aid you need to pay attention to the eligibility requirements.

5

Thank you CheddarcheeseMN for replying. I would not mind transferring to a non-accelerated program so long as I can still utilize the credits/coursework that I have completed, but I am not able to apply for any of Drexel’s nursing programs (according to the dismissal letter).

6

Thank you austinmshauri. I will look into it. I have been using a combination of financial aid and a private loan.