Dear Suspension Appeals Committee,
I am ________, a first year Computer Science student at (University). I am writing
to hope that this committee find’s that I a worthy for another chance to return (University)
for fall semester. Thank you for the opportunity to explain my circumstances.
Before coming to (Univeristy), I had 25 credits with a 3.72 cumulative GPA from
(Univeristy) concurrent enrollment because of the USU concurrent enrollment academic standing policy I was placed on academic probation after receiving a 1.44 gpa. I started out the semester very strong up to the point when I met with my advisor to find out which classes I should take for spring semester. I however at this point had many concerns with my roommates who were frequently in an altered state of mind and have had police visit our room at various times throughout the semester. My roommate (roommate 1) was by far the worst he and I shared a room; (roommate 1) was a student who never attended class, never showered, would stay up all night and sleep throughout the day only to stay up all night and insist on keeping the light on making it hard to keep much needed sleep. One night there was an argument about his hygiene while he was under the influence of a drug called ketamine and he threatened me with a knife, fearing my life I drove home at 2am and got home at 4am there is a record of this instance with resident housing. After the incident I was unable to make it to class that day and was the turning point for my academic success. That day I had a meeting with my residence director (RD name) where I was told there would be a meeting between the two of us after she met with Andrew however (roommate 1) averted his meeting with (RD name) as much as possible it took over a month and almost a month and a half for our meeting to talk about the incident to happen. (roommate 1) and my other roommates (roommate 2) and (roommate 2) would chase a high almost daily and because of the many people in the room it was very difficult to get work done and sleep what (university) housing is designed for, I honestly feel as if though (University) housing has failed me to provide a safe and constructive place for me to study and sleep. I admit I have not always been the strongest student and with these factors they made it extremally difficult for academic success. To add after the first semester (roommate 2) and (roommate 1) have dropped out of college and (roommate 3) is facing academic warning, My room was a very poisonous place for academic success, and I hope this committee can see how this has broken my study habits.
I am a student who has always had their life planned out before them and receiving a degree in computer science from (University) has been my plan since sophomore year of high school and I if this appeal were to be granted, I have no doubts that I can be a successful student. For spring semester I will be rooming with my close friends (Close Friend 1) and (Close Friend 2) students who like me do not participate in consuming drugs and alcohol we are very clean people and I believe that any issue with academic success would be removed. Additionally, I will work with my advisor and tutor labs to ensure my academic success.
The letter is much too long regarding everyone else, and too short about your own shortcomings. They don’t need dates and times. My roomates had substance abuse problems that became completely disruptive and I became preoccupied with my safety says plenty…
You have typos. You have non grammatical useage of words. Try cutting it into a few paragraphs so it doesn’t read like a defensive rant. And above all, concentrate on specific steps that you control regarding better performance. “I know I can do better” is not nearly as persuasive as " I realize now I need to ask for help sooner, and spend more time studying".
I, too, had a substance-abusing roommate, so I am sympathetic to your plight. Thankfully she moved in with another party animal after six weeks, or I very well might have been in your same position.
I think the length of your letter is about right on the whole, but I agree with greenbutton that you go into too much detail about your roommates. Also, have a friend check your grammar and spelling.
“I honestly feel as if though (University) housing has failed me to provide a safe and constructive place for me to study and sleep. I admit I have not always been the strongest student…”
Please don’t say this. It’s okay to say that you haven’t performed as well as you hoped or expected, but the living situation made even moderate success impossible. While you were disappointed that your living space was not conducive to either study or sleep, you attempted remediation. Roughly 1/3 of the semester passed while you were escalating your complaint, during which time you remained optimistic you could catch up, but ultimately fell too far behind to be able to meet your contract.
The U failed to provide you with safe housing? It’s their fault? If that’s how you feel then change the whole tone of your letter. Tell them you are willing to come back and give THEM one more chance.
If I were the guy reading and deciding on this I’d ask you what did YOU do to get out of this situation? Unless I already knew the specifics and the legitimacy of the troubles, I might entertain the idea that this is just common frosh partying and related troubles. It looks like you tolerated it for a long long time. I would find that suspect. A meeting was delayed and delayed, so what did you do then? Start writing letters about how serious your situation was? Were you in the advisor’s office daily? Weekly? Or did you just accept the delay, time after time?
When you don’t speak up in life it is often interpreted as acceptance or perhaps acquiescing.
When you send this letter get prepared- what might they ask? What will you answer? Don’t just stammer around, act like you thought it out.
And yes, it’s way too long with too many “unforced” errors as a past teacher of mine used to say.
Hey now…let’s not blame the OP for the situation. Escalating roomate problems are really hard to solve without some help, and RA really does sound like they weren’t pressing the issue.
OP, just emphasize problem solved, new roommates,new confidence, new plan.
Thankfully, no one so far has blamed the Op.
My point however, is that to someone who may not already know the specifics of the situation, this op might appear to have tolerated the situation, and that could lead an outsider to skepticism.
Cut this letter by at least 30%. Put in paragraphs.
Mention, but do NOT dwell on, housing problems. Focus on a specific plan to raise your grades. Mention actionables such as tutoring, regularly meeting with your instructors/professors, relying on university student resources & advisers,etc.
In a suspension appeal, a school doesn’t want to hear specifics of how you failed. It wants to hear specific on how you plan to succeed. And you should certainly NOT blame the school on failing you in any way.
Some of this is general, and some specific to your situation.
search this topic on CC and you will see many other posts on academic appeals
Make sure your letter states what the issue was that caused you to have academic difficulties. So in your case, it was what? Didn’t get sleep? Did you try studying in the library.
Did you talk to your professors/dean of students about the issue?
Did you make use of the many resources your school has? if not, why not?
Also if the RA didn’t help out, did you go to the housing office?
State how you would use those in the future
How are you addressing what caused the issue?
Think about if you should continue at college, or take a break.
In general, keep in mind what the college wants…they want students who can succeed. They need to know that you understand what the issue was, know now the resources that you can use, how the problems is resolved so you will not have academic issues in the future.
Talk to admissions at the CC. Usually they allow anyone in.
Most universities have a writing center, I would take it there and get it edited, but as others have posted, eliminate most of the details, do not blame the university, take more accountability in the letter, and dwell more how you’ll learn from this going forward, as katliamom points out.