Appeal letter for academic dismissal... I need help editing...

<p>I apologize if I am not in the right forum, but I recently received an email stating I was dismissed from my college, because I have a low gpa. Here is my letter:</p>

<p>To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing to appeal my academic dismissal at (Name of College). I received an email, and was surprised, and was sad, because I did not hope for this, and I knew God did have this planned for me, but as a warning to focus more on my studies. I would like to urge you to reinstate me for next semester.
I admit, I did have a difficult time this semester, both physically, financially, and academically. I do not mean to make any such excuse for my intolerable behavior academically. I have always had a hard time academically because of my arthritis, and trying to use all the resources that I needed and are listed in my IEP. My family has suffered financially, and I had my mind focused on that throughout November and October. We were struggling to pay off my tuition, and there were days where I had to go to the financial aid office and ask questions about my financial aid, and if there was any money left. My parents took in my youngest cousins, and we have been placed on food stamps since my parents both have low-paying jobs, and neither one has a high school diploma, or a college degree. I have suffered physically because of my arthritis; it is hard to wake up without pain, and since it was getting colder out, I began to move slower because of the change in the weather.
I understand completely that I had a lot of credit hours, and I would need to focus at all times with that many. I was hoping for the best, but since I am the first in my family to go to a four year university, it has been hard on my family because of my classes being at certain times, and also the death of my grandfather. My mother would have me come home and watch my cousins, do household duties, and put my cousins to bed, leaving me with less time to do any homework, or study. I have let myself become a burden to my work, and I am ashamed for this.
(Name of College) is my second home, and the day I officially became a freshman, I knew I was meant to be here, and graduate from here. My plan of action, if I am permitted to come back the following semester, is to focus more, and to not worry so much about my financial aid, and how much I owe back. Luckily, my dad is getting a promotion, and will be making more money, and my mom is trying to find a job, due to her possibly being laid-off. If I am reinstated, I will focus more on my schoolwork, take fewer hours, use more resources, such as a tutor, and speaking more often with my Professor's, and manage my time more wisely, in case another occurrence comes up in my family. I have been told by one of my Professor's from this semester to communicate with them more, which is advice I am strongly taking.
Please understand that my low GPA that led to my dismissal does not indicate that I am a bad student. Honestly, I am a good student that tries her best academically and just had a very, very bad semester. I hope you will take this appeal into consideration to give me a second chance. Thank you for considering my appeal.
Sincerely,
(My name)</p>

<p>Brandie22, what I would recommend is that you find a counselor/advisor on campus to share this with so that you can get advice re: format/organization/laying out the major points/issues this past semester, etcetera. You could also find out if there should be a specific plan in this letter: for example, ‘I plan to just take two classes if you reinstate me spring semester so that I can concentrate on doing well and showing the college I can succeed with fewer credits and more time to work on study skills, time management, arthritis management’ ‘and here are the names of those two classes’…etc. Do you have a disabilities office on campus? I assume you are registered with them since you mention an IEP in high school? You might consider showing someone in that office your draft letter, too. Those are my suggestions rather than offering advice on your letter as it stands right now. You have lots of good information in it. Show it to some good resources on campus for feedback before you turn it in. I hope that works for you, and good luck to you. I wish you the best. :)</p>