To give some background, I am a chemistry major at a top tier university, and I just got my letter of dismisal. I was first placed on probation for my very low GPA (1.1) from taking too many difficult classes my first semester , and this semester did not turn how i wanted it to and it resulted in a 1.7. This makes my cum gpa too low to meet the required academic standing. The policy is to sit out one semester and reapply if you wish.
A cum 1.7 avoids complete dismissal in the university’s book but lets you continue on probation, however I took heavy science courses and was not able to handle the course load last semester. I was a good student in high school, and everything came very easily to me then. However in college, I was not able to keep my grades up. I have major test anxiety and completed all homeworks easily but the test scores always came out low. How do I change that? This entire situation really makes me question if I even deserve to be at such a great institution.
I really love my school and I still can’t believe I won’t be going back. I want to apply for readdmissioin, but what if my application is not accepted? How can I prove to the university I am ready to be back? Should I appeal the dismissal?
It seems like you didn’t take drastic enough action after getting the GPA of 1.15 the first semester. You needed to take an easier schedule and take classes that would help increase your GPA dramatically. Did you work with a counselor to pick your second semester schedule?
It isn’t clear from what you wrote that your next semester will be any different, unless you make major changes to course selection and choose fewer science and math courses. What argument would you make in your appeal?
First question is how many hours were you studying per exam? When HS comes easy, it can be a shock in college how many hours of study are necessary per exam. I’m not counting routine homework.
My second semester course load was definitely easier, and majority of my grades were on the edge of the next higher grade. My grades were okay second semester, but I didn’t perform that great on my final bringing my grades down. I know with greater focus I could definitely keep 2.5+. I plan to take cc courses in the mean time. I really doubt my appeal for the fall semester would go through, but I want to reapply for the spring. But what should i be doing to make sure I get readmission?
I study for my tests at least 3 days in advance dividing the material in half and reading it over again. And then spending the 3rd day doing practice questions
Good news is I went to college with folks who dropped out with 1.somethings and came back years later and made 3.5 plus. Worst case, go to CC like you say and apply in a year or two.
I used a standard of at least an hour per chapter when studying for exams. More for difficult classes, less for things that came easier to me. I always preferred problem sets becuase I could work them until I had the content mastered and didn’t have to worry as much as remembering facts from reading.