So, I committed to Mount Holyoke College for the fall, but I’m about 99% sure my acceptance will be rescinded. My grades from the fall semester weren’t great, but they weren’t completely horrible either (4 b’s, 2 c’s). My grades from this semester though? Atrocious. I missed so much school this semester that I ended up with 3 C’s, 1 D and an F. I missed so much school for a combination of reasons (mental illness, my parents are separating, my uncle passed away). Should I explain this to them in a letter or is it a lost cause? I don’t know if there’s even a chance that my acceptance won’t be rescinded.
You should definitely write a letter explaining your situation. Explain in very succinct terms what happened. Do not go into elaborate detail. Read through the threads on appeal and suspension letters on this site so you’ll know what a terrible appeals letter looks like. Read the comments by parents so you’ll know how to craft a good one.
The ad comm will be moved by the strength of your case, not by the volume of words you use to describe it.
Massmomm, shouldn’t the OP take no action until MHC actually takes action to rescind the acceptance? OP is ASSUMING something will happen that has not yet taken place. A letter may call attention to a situation that the college may not be concerned about?
@MADad , I think the college will know about the situation when it gets her poor grade report. I believe it would be helpful to send a letter in advance, explaining the bad grades in very clear terms.
“I had undiagnosed bipolar disorder, which is now under control with medication”
vs
“Little did I know I was suffering from bipolar disorder, plus my dog died and my stepfather moved in, and my uncle in Colorado died in a rafting accident, plus I didn’t realize how hard AP Calculus BC was going to be. I should have taken AP Psychology instead but I know MHC values a challenging curriculum.”