Hello! So as the title says I’m looking for input on an appeal letter. It’s actually my boyfriend’s, not mine, although I did help edit it already. However as I’ve never exactly done this before I wanted some more feedback, and got his permission to post it here. Here it is:
-Appeals person-:
I completely understand that my GPA wasn’t sufficient to meet the standards of Champlain, however I do want to ask you to reconsider.
Near the beginning of the semester I had a very difficult time adjusting to both college life and being so far from home. I also had problems receiving sufficient medication for my ADHD and buying the books and supplies I needed for my courses on time, setting me far back compared to my peers. I have since adjusted and have figured out the arrangements I need to attain the things that I need to be successful at Champlain, so these problems should no longer be a factor.
I also realize that my study habits were in dire need of improvement. Throughout high school I was able to do well without working very hard, and came to Champlain with the same mindset. I have now learned that that will not be the case, and have begun to change my ways to focus more on my academics and meet the challenges that come with the rigor of a college course. I met with my counselor twice throughout the semester and also met with all of my teachers to discuss how I could improve. Looking at my grades, you can see that I did indeed manage to pick up my slack, even pulling as far as to bring my Statistics grade from a failing mark to a B. However, it seemed that for most of my other classes I had taken too long to realize my mistakes and ran out of time to correct them.
If you agree to allow me back into Champlain, I promise I will improve my academic standing. I will continue to meet with my counselor on a regular basis to make sure I stay on top of my work, even writing up a complete schedule if that’s what’s needed. I will talk to my teachers when I need aid and find tutors when I’m struggling with a course, and I will continue to improve my study habits by spending more time in the library to avoid distractions and in study groups to obtain help, putting all of my focus on my academics.
With these actions I believe I will be able to succeed at Champlain, so I ask that you please give me a second chance to prove it to you.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
-name-
Besides this I was wondering what else he should send in? It seems people say you should have evidence, but what exactly does that entail? I believe so far we have emails between him and his counselor and proof of his improvement in statistics. Would that be sufficient or am I on the completely wrong track?
That’s good. And no, it was his first semester at college. I looked at their policy and a GPA below 2.0 is probation, unless it’s also below 1.8, which it then becomes a dismissal. His was around a 1.2 or 1.4 I believe.
BF must also keep in mind that this is going to be a 2-step process; even if he gets an appeal to attend me may not get a financial aid appeal (which he may also need to do because he did not meet Satisfactory Academic Progress).
I would have rather seen the BF posting and taking charge of this process than you posting and gathering information for him ( it demonstrates that me may not reall be ready to take the steps go go back).
Do his parents know about the dismissal? Do the even know his grades for this semester ( hovering around a D+)? If yes, what is their take on the situation?
As a parent I would probably not send him back (especially if I spent a considerable amount of money last semester and would have to pay a considerable amount to send him back). I would want to have him take a leave, get permission for him to take courses at the local CC while working part-time to demonstrate that he can effectively manage his time, meds and to learn how to effectively use the resources available to him.
I think it is a pretty good letter and I hope they put him on probation. It does not bother me that you are helping him…sometimes people need help and there is nothing wrong with him accepting help. I would guess he knows if they give him probation and he fails he is gone! Good luck!
Evidence could be a copy of his schedule change (attending tutoring, etc.) that resulted in higher grades a long with his planned spring study schedule. Documents on med scripts being filled. Etc.
These letters get posted from time to time and as things go, this is a pretty good one. The suggestions above may improve it too.
Anything from the counselor that supports both the ADHD diagnosis and the recent efforts to improve study habits and time management (and work ethic or character) would help. Why didn’t he have meds arranged and picked up?
I wonder if your boyfriend registered with the Office of Disabilities for his ADHD. He would need documentation from a professional and a letter listing accommodations requested , which, for ADHD, can include extensions on papers and reduced course load.
The other issue that I would think he might consider is that his GPA is going to suffer a lot from this semester. If he left and went elsewhere, failed classes won’t transfer but he would start fresh and get a new GPA. He would always have to include the transcript of this school when academic record is needed for another school (or employer) but his record at a new school could start fresh- just a thought.
It is hard to imagine, honestly, how he managed to do this poorly. If I were his parent I would consider bringing him home, or not paying- but it also sounds like the parent(s) did not do a good job of paving the way. Parents often get the documentation for disability and also make sure meds are on hand once the kid is at college.
Good luck. You yourself write well and fairly economically, which is refreshing in a situation like this.
@Madison85 I’ll inform him of the changes you’ve detailed.
@sybbie719 I’ll make sure he knows. Me posting instead of him was really just for ease’s sake, as I’m more familiar with the forum than he is. His mother does know about the dismissal, and they’ve already talked through it. I believe his mother gave him a choice as to whether he wants to go back or not and he’s decided to try to get back in if he can, although I’ll admit I don’t know all the details.
@dyiu13 Sounds good. I was very lost on the hard evidence part of all this. Thanks!
@compmom Again, thanks for the input. I believe with meds it was literally his mom shipping them over every time he was running low, which led to various points in time where he had none. As for efforts to improve he has some emails between him and his counselor, otherwise I’m not sure. I do know that mainly he discussed his problems with his teachers directly, and when ît came to stats I basically acted as a tutor for him (which I would like to comment ended up in an ironic scenario where a high school student was helping a college student :P).
They didn’t arrange for accommodations last semester, but they probably are going to next semester if he gets readmitted (if they decide to, we’ll edit the letter to reflect that). As with starting again somewhere else, I will tell him of the option, but I do think he’s set on trying to return. Not going to lie even I’m surprised he did this poorly, but from what I hear it was a general combination of being overwhelmed, disorganized (from all parties), and some extremely tough teachers.
Oh, and thanks, to the last comment :3
Hey, this is the boyfriend in question using my girlfriend’s account. I just wanted to clarify some things. In regards to the medication, while my girlfriend was correct that my mother was mailing me my prescription, the issue was more because of a change in insurance and a lack of medication because of co-pay problems. I plan on adding this to the letter. I know some of you think it would be better for me to just go back home and try with a different school, but this place is, and has been since my second year of high school, my dream school and if I just give up on it now, I don’t know how I’ll be able to stay motivated to keep trying at all. That’s why I’m so determined to go back. Thank you all for your feedback.
HI GF AGAIN. I was just wondering, since I was basically his tutor for Statistics, is there anything I could submit to help in that regard? Thanks :3
You absolutely need to get your prescription transferred to a pharmacy near your campus if they let you back in. This is vital. My daughter is on medication and she is now responsible for getting her own prescriptions refilled, and for dealing with her physician when the refills run out. This is an important step to adulthood.
Cardinal Fang, I will PM you but yes we certainly have some serious issues in my family.
Also what I meant, in part, is that certain interventions should happen before things get that bad: reduced course load, extensions, meeting with dean, withdrawal or leave etc. I can’t see even finishing the semester, because it is wasted money.
@“Cardinal Fang” Thank you for the note of support.
@Massmomm BF here again. The kind of medication I take requires me to pick up a printed note from my Doctor directly and take it to a pharmacy. Basically, unless I switch Doctors, there isn’t anyway I can transfer my prescription. That’s the gist of what my mom told me after she talked to my Doctor about it.
@compmom Never heard of tuition refund insurance but we’ll look into it, thanks.
Support the appeal letter in any way you can, with MD note (who prescribed the meds?) that includes diagnosis, notes from counselor, notes from teacher, anything that validates the ADHD AND signs of a turnaround in work habits, motivation and results.
Assuming you do get a second chance, consider taking a reduced load next semester to make sure you get the grades you need. S’s best friend took 5 years, not 4, to complete his engineering degree. That meant 3-4 classes/semester instead of 4-5. The breathing room was just what he needed in order to manage his life, stay on top of his class-work and still have time for a social life. It’s more expensive obviously but might be worth it in the long run.