Academic Dismissal Letter Feedback Please!

Parents Forum
1

Dear Dean Dr ______ and Members of the ___________ Committee:

I am writing to appeal my academic dismissal from _____. I was not surprised, but very devastated to receive a letter earlier this week informing of my dismissal, I was extremely disappointed in myself. I’m writing with the hope that you will reinstate me for next semester and give me the opportunity to retake my failing classes. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to explain my circumstances.

I am the beneficiary of financial aid. This aid has helped me a lot in completing my bachelors degree and now medical school. Two days before third semester started I got to know through a letter from Financial Aid Department that this aid was suspended. As a low-income minority latin student, I simply can not afford it. My family is on an extremely tight budget and unfortunately cannot afford to pay for my schooling. My mother currently dedicates most of her time to take care of my sister’s two children because my sister got very sick and my father works as a truck driver for weeks without breaks to sustain and help us but his health is deteriorated due to hepatitis C he had in the past, he has sustained virologic response but his health has declined. I was abled to reinstate the aid, however, I was under probation, meaning I started third semester under academic and financial aid probation, which added an extra pressure from the beginning.

I admit I had a very difficult time last semester, and my grades suffered as a result. I don’t mean to make excuses for my poor academic performance, but I would like to explain the circumstances. I suffered from bout of chronic sleep deprivation and nightly insomnia through the whole semester, during non-exam days I was abled to fall asleep but would wake up everyday around 1am and could not fall back asleep, but days before exams I was not abled to sleep at all, the trouble with sleep led to anxiety about getting sleep and not been able to focus, over time led to depression

The lack of sleep is definitely associated with my poor academic performance, physical dysfunction, focusing, memory and performance on exams. Moreover, the sleep deprivation caused me to have a lot of anxiety and stress, I was always tired and I knew this was impacting my performance in school. I stopped my daily exercising due to exhaustion and I was also felling behind in school and wanted to use all my time to study, I don’t think cutting physical activity “cold turkey” was a good idea, it certainly played a role on my inability to sleep and school performance. Even though I was not sleeping I attended classes, however, the lack of sleep affected my concentration, I was unable to focus 100% in class and on my schoolwork after school. By the end of the semester I was feeling depress I realized I was not been able to handle all the burden.

Being behind in class has always caused me anxiety and stress, but it was magnified tenfold this semester, the never ending thought of being under two probations didn’t help either. I tried daily meditation, deep sleeping meditation music, yoga, breathing exercising but had no success with either. I sought help from the start, I went to see Dr , Dr and Dr _____ several times through the semester (Sept-Nov) and Dr ____ and Dr n the end of the semester. I made many mistakes along the way and I look back and see all the things I should’ve done to help myself. I should’ve communicated with my academic advisor, especially after second block since I knew I was having difficulties. When I was sick and had insomnia I should have talked to my professors and school administration. One thing I wish I would’ve done is gone to the counseling center to talk to Dr about coping with my stress, anxiety, sleep issues and depression earlier in the semester. Instead I locked myself at home studying 24/7, I didn’t have my priorities in line. I thought I could handle all of these burdens, and I tried my best, but I was wrong.

By the end of the semester I realized I need to do something, I started taking melatonin and with the meditation I was abled to sleep for a few hours, I also made lot of changes on my studying which I wish to continue once my dismissal is revoked, including hundreds of practice questions and visiting my professors daily with questions, I was abled to do much better on my finals.

To improve myself over this break, I have been doing many things. Firstly, I went to the doctor to seek help for my anxiety and insomnia to prevent or alleviate them while I am at school. I have also asked my doctor to recommend me to a therapist so that I can find better ways to cope with my anxiety. In addition I have been trying to find a productive way to relieve stress.

I have determined the following points to be the keys to my educational success.

  1. I will balance the course load and use my time efficiently.
2. I will manage my time wisely on academics and have a good study schedule and time management. I will preview, make my own notes and review the material everyday. I will also do as many practice questions as possible.
3. I will seek assistance with my coursework when I have difficulties.
4. I will maintain communication with my professors on a regular basis to ensure success in my courses and make sure to review every exam in order to work on my weakness.
5. Complete classes B or better.
6. I will seek help when needed instead of trying to handle all on my own because my academics are my first priority and I need to devote all of my time to them in order to be successful in the future.
    I made a self evaluation in the placement of my time, now with better emotional conditions given the overcoming of my problems, I intend to dedicate and it is pertinent with all the hours already dedicated to my academic studies, I plan to devote more emphasis given my emotional stability I can safely commit to this project.

I feel victorious because I have conquered the goal to be in______, I was able to I overcame even a hurricane by the persistent desire to be in this university. I understand the expectation better now and I will do well in the coursework the following semester. I am determined to do even better. Although I know I can made great improvements, without you aid I fear I won’t be able to continue my education. I hope those of the committee who read this will give me a second chance to help me accomplish my goals and reach success for the rest of my time at _____.
I hope you can understand the situation I have been through. Hence, I request you to revoke the dismissal as my future depends on it. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to explain my circumstances. I look forward to hearing about your decision.
I would like to thank you deeply with the assurance that I will be served in this reinstatement.
Yours sincerely,

2
  1. So your financial aid was suspended before you got notice of the dismissal? Even if you're reinstated, how will you pay for medical school?
  2. Your letter is way too long. You need to prune it considerably.
3

Borges- can you first state all the relevant facts for us?

You have a BA already, yes? How many semesters of Med school have you completed? What is your GPA right now? Did you pass any classes this semester and if so, which ones and what are your grades?

So you have been dismissed from the Med school or asked to take a leave of absence? Seems to me that’s your first problem, the aid is irrelevant if they won’t let you back in for next semester, no?

Big hug to you. You’ll find a path forwards but help us by just stating the facts here.

How much have you racked up in loans so far (both undergrad and med school)?

4

The content is compelling, but it is too long IMHO. I would try to pare it down but still include the following:

  1. The info about your finances/family
  2. The reason you fell behind
  3. Lessons learned from this semester
  4. What you will do differently in order to succeed

You have all that; just shorten it. I feel for you. Hugs to you and hope they will give you another shot.

5

@borges20 I feel for you I do but are you sure you want to keep going? You seem seriously overwhelmed Did you go straight to med school from from undergrad? Also, is this a US school or somewhere else?

6

Don’t lead with what’s really their position: that you weren’t meeting expectations. In fact, from the beginning, you need to lead with what will make them trust you. That’s not that you knew you were in trouble, but what you did that specifically makes you a better med student and worth giving more time.

Med school demands attention to skills. You can’t really fail basics and go on to somehow practice based on knowledge you missed. How does needing fin aid, your mother babysitting, Dad responding poorly to meds, taking melatonin, etc, make them want to reinstate you? You need to focus more directly on the positive steps, the changes already. Not just the roadblocks. Surely you knew, after first semester, that you were at risk.

Med schools don’t usually like to drop kids. My exprience is they give every chance. The school I know best approaches kids, directs them to support, tracks, to avert issues before they collapse.

So yes, I think we need to know more of what’s missing in your post.

Try to realize that, how you wrote this letter tells them why they should suggest a separation from med school, whether temporary or permanent.

7

From reading this, I think- and I say this kindly- that you might benefit from leaving and regrouping. I mean that with the best of intentions. It sounds like you already had at least one chance to improve your performance academically and that it did not work out. There is no shame in taking a break, working, and figuring out the best path.

Financial aid is often suspended if a student fails or withdraws from a certain number of classes. It would seem that that, you got that aid back for this past semester, but were under probation for both aid and academics, and did not succeed in restoring either status with your work. Your letter does not convince me, yet, that you are ready to resume your studies after the break. But you can prove yourself by leaving and working or taking whatever classes might help you progress if that is appropriate- and learning how to cope with sleep, anxiety and depression. You are not there yet.

That said, if you really want to send in this appeal for your dismissal, here is one possible shorter version:

I am writing to appeal my academic dismissal from _____. I was not surprised, but very devastated to receive a letter earlier this week informing of my dismissal, I’m writing with the hope that you will reinstate me for next semester and give me the opportunity to retake my failing classes.

I had a difficult semester due to family health issues, insomnia, and the anxiety and depression that resulted. I got behind in my classes, which worsened my anxiety, which further affected my focus. I take full responsibility for these problems.

I tried daily meditation, yoga, and breathing exercises and sought help from Dr _, Dr _and Dr _____ several times through the semester (Sept-Nov) and Dr ____ and Dr _____ near the end of the semester. I made many mistakes along the way and I look back and see all the things I should’ve done to help myself. I should’ve communicated with my academic advisor, especially after second block since I knew I was having difficulties, and should have gone to the counseling center to talk to Dr _________ earlier in the semester.

Over this break, I went to the doctor to seek help for my anxiety and insomnia to prevent or alleviate them while I am at school. I have also asked my doctor to recommend me to a therapist so that I can find better ways to cope with my anxiety. In addition I have been trying to find a productive way to relieve stress. I feel that I have learned enough to help myself in the next semester and beyond.

I have determined the following points to be the keys to my educational success.

  1. I will balance the course load and use my time efficiently.
  2. I will manage my time wisely on academics with good study schedule and time management.
  3. I will review material every day and do practice problems.
  4. I will seek assistance with my coursework when I have difficulties.
  5. I will maintain communication with my professors on a regular basis to ensure success in my courses and make sure to review every exam in order to work on my weakness.
  6. Complete classes B or better
  7. I will seek help when needed instead of trying to handle all on my own

Thank you so much for your consideration.

8

Do medical schools even consider these appeal letters? Start there.

Undergrad, yes…but medical school? I’m not sure the aid is the biggest issue. The biggest issue is you have not met the standard to continue.

9

I don’t think you should be asking to be reinstated for this January. You should take a break now and start investigating in the next semester the steps toward getting back in. I think your appeal would be more credible if you took time off. I wasn’t aware that medical students who get kicked out for flunking multiple classes can get back in.

10

Just want to add that in the long run, this is not the disaster that it may feel like right now. This may even prove to be a turning point in a positive way. Take a break from school and try some areas of work while you figure things out with a counselor. Get healthy and you will be able to move forward.

11

This is nit picky but you are not “very devastated.” You are “devastated.” That’s already “very.”

I know nothing about appeal letters and their success rate but I would come at it more professionally with some heavy editing. It’s too long and you haven’t really given they any reason to believe next semester will be better.

I wish you luck. If it doesn’t go your way, take some time to raise funds and figure all this out then try again.

12

@WayOutWestMom

Do medical schools do appeal letters for students who are academically dismissed, and who lose merit aid?

@borges20 if by some chance your medical school allows you to return, it’s not likely they will reinstate your merit aid. BUT if you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident in medical school, YOU can take Grad Plus Loans in your name up to the full cost of attendance like MANY (if not most) medical school students.

Could you please clarify your status? Are you in undergrad school? Medical school? A BS/MD program…and if so, what year?

If you are in medical school…what does “balance the course load” mean? It’s not like you have choices about what you will, and won’t take in medical school…and you can’t take a reduced number of credits. Your courses per term will be assigned to you in medical school…no choices.

13

All medical schools have a process for dealing w/ students in academic distress. That process should be laid out in your Student Handbook as well as on the Office of Medical Student Affairs website. Any appeal needs to comply with the process specified in the Handbook if you want the appeal to be considered.

I agree w/ @thumper1 your biggest problem isn’t your fin aid, but your academic standing. Any merit aid is unlikely to be reinstated after a dismissal, but if you are a US citizen or green card holder, you will be eligible to continue to receive federal student loans and Grad Plus loans.

14

Unfortunately the content of your excessively long appeal letter is neither compelling nor persuasive, in my opinion.

Basically, your letter indicates that you are overwhelmed by medical school, unprepared financially, academically & psychologically, and placing you on academic and financial probation was not enough motivation to get you to seek readily available help. Your letter suggests that medical school is too much for you to handle and that you want this nightmare experience to end.

P.S. Have you considered a physician’s assistant program ? Is that a reasonable alternative ?

15

@Publisher

I agree that medical school is not likely in the cards…but the “reasons” this student is giving for not doing well in medical school will not bode well for a physician assistant program either.

16

What??? This is unclear. The letter is way too long and not as polished as one might expect from a med student. Is this for real?

17

When I am in need of medical care I hope that my care will not be affected what the doctor’s family life is like. That the doctor can figure out when things are not going well ( ie. on probation) and can rectify it before it goes any further (ie., dismissal). Doing it over won’t always be an option for your patients.

I’m sorry, but I wouldn’t grant your appeal.

18

I think that the OP’s writing is largely a product of stress which can result in less than clear expression.

19

Fair point about stress, but doctors need to be able to cope with stressful situations.

20

ask in on the site studentdoctor dot net.

I am not sure if Medical schools would take you back or not.