Academic Suspension Appeal Letter feedback?

Parent Cafe
1

To Whom It May Concern:

My name is [my name] and I am a Computer Science major. I am writing to you to appeal the decision of placing me on Academic Suspension. When I was notified about the Academic Warning at the end Spring 2016 semester, I did not take it lightly. I immediately met with my advisor, [advisor name], and also participated in the “[success program name]” program. It was clear to me that the college was indicating to me that my GPA was very low and changes in work habit were needed as soon as possible.

I transferred into [school name] from [community college name]. As per an existing [course equivalency agreement], I would complete the first two years in the community college, then transfer of [school name] to complete the remaining courses. When I first began my classes in Spring 2016, I attempted to take 5 classes at once (“[class name]”, “[advanced class name 1]”, “[advanced class name 2]”, “[challenging class name 1]” and “[challenging class name 2]”). I was unaware at the time of the differences (such as pace of the class) between the University’s class and the community college’s class. This became evident when I was forced to withdraw from challenging class name, due to lack of time for my other classes. Additionally, my interest in entrepreneurship and growing my “side-projects” portfolio for my Resume further drew my attention away. Although I pushed myself to talk to my instructors more often (office hours, class lectures), it was too late. As a result, final grades for the semester were very poor and drastically brought down my GPA. Wrong expectations and lack of focus are what brought my GPA below 1.5. After meeting with my advisor, it was obvious to me that in order to bring my GPA up, I had to establish discipline and focus.

In addition to my low GPA, I was also informed that the Computer Science program would likely remove me from the major if my GPA did not meet the minimum 2.5 GPA threshold by the end of Spring 2017 semester. Since I was working to improve my Resume with the assumption that I would complete my degree soon, the idea of being removed from the Computer Science major was frightening, yet eye-opening. It was that fear which led me to remain focused throughout the Fall 2016 semester and create a “recovery” plan. I made minor differences, such as participating in class discussions more often, meeting with the instructors regularly and engaging in group-studies more frequently. At the same time, I also made significant changes in my studying habits: better time management (dedicated “hour blocks” for studying), reading ahead of the class, making sure all work was completed regardless of outside activities. This time, the grades were significantly better. My “[challenging class name1]” grade was brought back to a C, “[reasonably more advanced class]” (only CS course for the semester) grade was a B and “[introductory class name]” grade was also a B. Unfortunately, poor performance in [challenging class name 2] yet again kept my GPA below the minimum 2.0.

If given a chance, I will successfully be able to raise my GPA above 2.0. My “recovery” plan has been as follows: 1.) Complete additional CS curriculum requirements with better study habits and better grades. Also re-take “[challenging class name 1]” for a better grade. 2.) Re-take “[advanced class name 1]” and “[advanced class name 2]” for a better grade as well as complete more course requirements. Poor grades in these two courses is what is holding my GPA back. “Step 1” was successfully (with the exception of 1 course) completed this past Fall semester. I firmly believe that if I am allowed to move forward and complete “Step 2” in the Spring 2017 semester as part of my existing plan, my overall GPA as well as my CS GPA would be above the required minimum. I am fully aware that the University wants me to succeed and I have already implemented a plan to achieve that. My final grades in the Fall 2016 semester display the validation of this plan.

I request the University and the Computer Science program to allow me to continue in the Spring 2017 semester and raise my GPA to an acceptable level.

Sincerely,
[my name]

2

What caused the poor performance in this class?

Seems kind of long…

3

Terrible test grades. I historically suck at tests. :frowning:

4

Does not seem that long to me. It has specifics. It has a plan. It does not have any whining.

5

Thank you for your feedback @AboutTheSame. Is there anything you think I should improve on? When I met with the guys who make a decision, they told me that it’s likely I’ll get the appeal approved, however the question is if I will still be in Computer Science. Not sure if I should stress anything more regarding CS in the letter.

6

This seems a little weird to me. Like you needed the college to tell you that a GPA <1.5 is bad and to pick it up. I’d rephrase.

7

^^ Agree. Maybe my GPA was “in the danger zone”?

8

@johnnyjohn : I don’t think you want to add anything. The math is bad for getting your GPA above the 2.5 mark very quickly, so CS may not be an option. You should prepare yourself for half a loaf … but keep your fingers crossed.

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@AboutTheSame: I’m sorry, but what does “the math is bad for getting your GPA above 2.5 mark very quickly” mean?

10

Sorry. Unless the school allows you to completely replace the former grade with a better one for the classes you propose to retake, the original lower grade sits there as a drag on the GPA, so the math is bad. If you can replace [wipe out] the original grade, the math is not bad. Capeesh?

11

@AboutTheSame Oh ok, that makes sense. I got an F in the math course, so I have to retake it and the newer grade will replace the older one (GPA will change accordingly). The advanced courses that I performed poorly on in Spring and plan to re-take now in the upcoming semester will also have the new grade replace the old one (with the GPA being recalculated appropriately).

12

Have you done some soul-searching on whether this is really the major for you? There’s no shame in changing directions.

13

This is definitely the major for me. I have been programming since 6th grade, been known as the tech guy among my social circle and even had a software engineering internship recently. My grades aren’t low because I don’t understand CS, it’s low because of me putting my focus on the wrong stuff (such as entrepreneurship and product-building as opposed to doing homework/studying for test).

14

Are you sure the new grade replaces the old grade or are you assuming that’s the case? Most schools I know average the 2. Not saying it’s impossible that they do it this way but make sure that’s the case

15

Yeah, you are given two course worth of credit allowance to replace older grades. For failed courses, repeat is mandatory and new grade replaces old one automatically.

16

You’ve mentioned entrepreneurship a few times. If you’ve been programming for 6+ years now and your life goal is to build a technology company (or multiple companies) then you may not need any more CS. After the first few introductory learn to program and learn about data structures courses…which you’ve probably figured out on your own, CS is going to become highly theoretical which you may find even more frustrating than what you’re dealing with now.

Consider a pivot to a business major. You seem to know how to build your product, or you can figure it out on your own. What you can’t easily figure out on your own is how to write a business plan and create a marketing program and open sales channels and manage large groups of people.

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@Otterma Entrepreneurship is not my goal, just an interest. The only reason I looked into that area was to generate a side income and start paying for college. CS is still my focus. I’m already set on that. The question is not whether CS is for me, instead it’s why, despite so much enthusiasm and interest in the field (and success in the field outside of school - such as getting the internship and doing well enough that the company wants me back), have I not done well. The answer is not complicated, it’s rather embarrassing. A college senior having trouble with time management and losing sight of the end game (which is to finish the degree and get a job).

18

Assistant Dean said to meet with CS department head and see what he says. I’m not sure what to say to him. This entire thing has been a shock and HAS put me back in my place. But to prove that and redeem myself, I desperately need him to let me continue Computer Science. :frowning: Any suggestions from anyone on what I should say to him in my meeting other than straight up begging?

19

So you are 1. Bad at tests and 2. Distracted.

Do you know why you are historically bad at tests? Is it because you are unprepared, or is there another reason such as a learning disability? If the latter is true and diagnosed, you may be able to get testing accommodations. Also, you can lay out a plan for how you intend to prepare for the classes/exams differently this time. Maybe you have a tutor, different study strategy, different materials. Maybe you plan to meet with the professor one-on-one on a set schedule. These sort of concrete changes, whether study habits or addressing a learning disability, are worth discussing.

However, if the issue of poor performance is being unprepared then you need to address what is distracting you. Have you more or less completely ceased extracurricular activities to 100% focus on studying? You should have a good explanation for why the distractions caused you to do so poorly and how ceasing them will fix it. Even with intense extracurriculars, you shouldn’t be failing a class. If the other commitments were so time consuming, that you couldn’t attend class, then I see how stopping them would lead to a better class performance. Though, I would proceed with caution if I were going to say this because not attending class may make your adviser question your commitment to school and be less willing to show you leniency.