Academic Dismissal Appeal Help

<p>I had a pretty rough semester that ended in getting me academically dismissed but i'm trying to appeal it. What are my chances:</p>

<p>To Whom It May Concern,</p>

<p>I am writing to appeal my academic dismissal from the ___________. It didn’t come as a shock when I received the email notifying me of my dismissal, but it was still just as heartbreaking. Just to be clear, I don't blame anyone but myself for the substantially low GPA I received. All I’m asking for is a second chance as a probationary student so that I can demonstrate that I can be a much better student than I was last semester. </p>

<p>Over the course of this last semester, a couple things affected me in such a negative way that I went from being the type of student that earns A’s and B’s to barely being able to keep up with C’s and D’s. *Looking back, the cause of this was a mixture of some bad experiences and poor choices. I came to ___ as a hopeful transfer student, with goals of continuing my trend of getting good grades. What I didn’t expect was for my family back home to struggle even harder financially when I had left. My mother is a single mother, and I've always taken my role as the eldest child very seriously. I see it as my responsibility to make sure my family is okay. So when I realized my family was going through a financial crisis, I was overwhelmed with a terrible guilt. I thought that it was selfish of me, being away and not being able to help. I began to go into a really dark place, I felt helpless because there was nothing I could do for my family. This is when things took a really bad turn, I started feel depressed and I felt an overwhelming amount of anxiety. This anxiety made it hard for me to function in my day to day life, interfering with my school most of all. This only made it worse, as I began to feel like everything was slipping away from me. I began to have panic attacks, and I felt I had no control over my life. The worse my anxiety got, the worse my grades got. To make matters worse, I was only taking ten credits, in two classes that have always been challenging to me, even when I didn't have things to deal with, Chemistry and Math. </p>

<p>At this point I should have gotten counseling, seen a doctor, or gotten some type of help. But I didn't, I was not in the right frame of mind, I didn't want to be labeled or to be attached with the stigma that comes with mental illness. Once the semester ended and I had time to reflect, I began to see my predicament in a whole new light. What happened to me doesn't define me, and it can only control my life only if I let it, that’s why I decided to go to a doctor that I trust, and tell her what was going on with me. She told me it was okay and that with proper medication, I could go back to being a good student, and that I could take control back of my life. *I know that I should’ve done this earlier, and that maybe then I wouldn't be where I am now. But all I can ask now is for this university to take into account my circumstances and to keep in mind that there’s proof I am a good student. The proof is in my transcript from last year, it’s in the email I'm attaching showing my math professor recommended me to be a peer tutor. It’s also in the letter of recommendation that will be sent to this department, from my seminar professor, ______. *I can be a good student again, and I will be. </p>

<p>I realize that being treated for my Anxiety Disorder isn’t enough to be a great student. The first thing I would do if I were reinstated would be to retake the two classes where I received poor grades in. I've also learned my lesson about only taking science courses during a term, what I've learned from this semester is that I need to balance my classes between ones that I know will be challenging, and ones that I know come more easily to me. Once I enroll in the classes, I will stay diligent on studying. Last year I spent multiple hours in the library studying material, and I would often go to the tutoring center if I needed help. I plan to incorporate this into my lifestyle again. Places like the tutoring center and a professors office hours are great ways to get help if you’re struggling, and I plan to take full advantage of these resources. Please understand that one bad semester does not define me as a student, and the lessons I’ve learned will make me an even better student than I’d ever been. Please take into consideration that my university GPA is based off of only one semester with a light credit load, and that my cumulative GPA is a better representation of me as a student. </p>

<p>I’ve grown to love this school, and it would mean the world to me if I could continue my studies at ____ and earn my degree there. *I have big plans for my life, education is important to me and once I graduate, I would like to either go to medical school or earn my master’s in Public Health. I want the University of _____, to be the school that guides me to my dreams and aspirations. *Thank you for taking the time to consider my appeal, I really hope that I can continue my studies for spring semester. </p>

<p>Sincerely,</p>

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<p>**** also i'm planning to attach a letter from my doctor stating i recently came in for anxiety, and then got medication.</p>

<p>Looooooooooong letter with lots of details. I think you should setup an appointment with the dean or whomever who can let yo continue and just tell him/her 1x1 and then followup with a shorter letter of appeal. If you choose to just write a letter I think you should shorten it considerably.</p>

<p>tl;dr</p>

<p>This is not an effective letter–too long. You need to get to the point. </p>

<p>But just from reading the beginning, it sounds like you can’t afford this school?</p>