I recently received an email regarding my academic dismissal due to a violation of one of the conditions stated in my probation letter. I realize that my academic performance this past quarter was not satisfactory and I urge you to please reconsider.
The condition in question is the third one that is written on my probation letter which states, “You must earn no grade below a C.” This past quarter, I violated this condition by receiving a C- in CPSC 3500 taught by Professor XXX. I acknowledge that I am fully responsible for this grade. Throughout this pass quarter my time management was not the best when it came to studying for tests and completing programming assignments. Even though Professor XXX informed my class in the beginning of the quarter that 3000-level CPSC courses are more difficult than other CPSC courses we have taken thus far, I poorly allocated my time to this course which caused my grade to suffer.
I also acknowledge that my study habits need some work as well. As a college student, I have a habit of not physically asking professor for help and waiting until the last minute to finish school work. I now realize that these habits are detrimental to my education. I did not take advantage of all the resources available to me such as office hours and establishing a strict schedule. In the upcoming spring quarter, I will actively take advantage of these resources in order to improve on study habits and succeed.
Regarding my plans for academic improvement, I have already taken action by requesting to retake CPSC 3500 this upcoming spring quarter. I also plan to start studying/working on tests and assignments earlier, review notes after each class, study in groups, seek help by going to office hours to further my understanding of the material, be prepared for class, and create a planner to manage my time (for studying, office hours, homework, etc.).
I am asking for a second chance to prove that I can succeed at XXX. I am confident that by following the steps outlined above, I will be able to succeed.
Not to throw salt on your wounds- but aren’t you asking for a THIRD chance? The second chance was when you were put on probation, no?
How are your grades in your other classes? What are you planning to major in- and have you given some thought to other changes in your life besides going to study groups (change in dorm arrangements, too much partying? too many hours at a paying job?)
I am currently a computer science major and I passed all my other classes except for this one which is why i got dismissed. Would it not be a second chance because under probation I was still in school? You have to bear with me as this is the first appeal I have written
Change pass to past. And: allocated my time poorly.
Also consider asking to come in to speak to someone in person about all of the steps you are taking. You might make a better impression in person. Good luck with your appeal.
Its a good letter, you are taking responsibility instead of whining or complaining and you have outlined concrete actions you have taken or will take. Sounds mature and responsible. I think the dismissal letter you recd was probably a form response, I’m very hopeful your appeal will be considered. Good Luck!
PS for further advice go to your adviser asap, CC is not the best place, too many naysayers.
I recently received an email regarding my academic dismissal due to violating the conditions stated on my probation letter. I realize that my academic performance this past quarter was not satisfactory and I urge you to please reconsider.
The conditions in question state, “You must earn a term GPA at least the minimum required for your major” and “You must earn no grade below a C.” This past quarter, I violated these conditions by earning a B, C+, and a C- in my classes which resulted in a 2.43 term gpa. Despite the disappointment I have towards myself, I acknowledge that I am fully responsible for these grades. Throughout this past quarter, my time management was poor when it came to studying for tests and completing assignments. I also am an active member of the XXX Club on campus and at times I prioritized club events over school, which is unacceptable and is the wrong way to set my priorities.
I also acknowledge that my study habits need some work as well. As a student, I have a habit of not physically asking professor for help and waiting until the last minute to finish school work. I now realize that these habits are detrimental to my academic success. I did not take advantage of all the resources available to me such as office hours and the ability to establish a strict daily schedule. In the upcoming spring quarter, I will actively take advantage of these resources in order to improve on my study habits and succeed.
Regarding my plans for academic improvement next quarter, I plan to start studying/working on tests and assignments earlier, review notes after each class, form study groups, seek help by going to office hours to further my understanding of the material, be more prepared for class, create a planner to manage my time (for studying, office hours, homework, etc.) either on my phone or on a physical calendar, and set my priorities straight in terms of putting school always over extracurricular activities.
I am asking for a second chance to prove that I can succeed at XXX University. I am confident that by following the steps outlined above, I will be able to succeed.
Feel free to contact me if I can provide any additional information that can aid your decision.
Does your school have any structured programs it requires for students on academic probation? You might say you plan to meet with your advisor weekly to keep on track. It’s a good letter. Sounds sincere. What is your overall gpa right now? I hope you’ve lined up a spring schedule that’s not too onerous so you can get some traction back. Good luck.
Make sure that you also check with financial aid. In the event that you are re-instated you have to make sure that you have met SAP to continue receiving aid.
You might add a sentence or two at the top or bottom requesting and opportunity to discuss the matter further face to face. The school might require an appeal by email but that doesn’t mean there can’t be a F2F meeting at some point. Your letter is fine but I think it will be rejected. It has nothing to do with not being positive either. For “probation” to mean anything it should be enforced. I work in education. I hear every excuse possible for missing class, being late, not turning things in on time, missing test and assignment deadlines, etc. etc. etc.
The excuses are always valid in the students mind. You are accepting responsibility which is fine but doesn’t really change anything. If your appeal is denied, and you have a sit out a semester or two, maybe then you really will learn how to manage your time better. In other words, students who are failing want extra credit and sometimes get mad and all this stuff and if you give it to them they go right back to missing class all the time and not knowing how to study just like normal. They pull out a tried and true “grandma got sick” excuse and get away with failing half the class and get everything wiped away by turning stuff in late or whatever. I work with teachers who fall for every sad story.
Students think, if they fail, that is a bad thing. It is. But it is even worse to let a failing student pass and send him or her to the next teacher. An F, D or W is there for a reason. You didn’t do good enough. Try again. There is no need to cheapen things so that everyone passes, grade inflation, and cheapen things for the students who actually earned a passing grade. The worst outcome is not someone getting an F. The worst outcome is someone earning and F and getting a free pass anyway. Long story short, I agree with Blossom in #1. You’ve already had your second shot and you messed up one of the probation conditions.
The letter looks fine, but I agree wih @GoNoles85 - I don’t really see any extenuating circumstances that would make someone think that you would do better with a third chance (your first chance was being admitted to the major, your second was when you were warned and put on probation). The “second chance” wording if fine though and you should keep it.
Ask yourself honestly if it’s truly a case of your slacking off, or was the material simply too difficult? Would some time to regroup while taking classes at a community college or a less challenging school be helpful? Are you in the right major? If the material in your major isn’t interesting enough for you to spend time on it, would you do better in something that you’re more interested in?
If you have a valid reason for not putting enough time into your classes, then put that in your letter. For example if you had a job, injury, etc. But then you should also explain why it wouldn’t be a factor the following semester. Best of luck to you.