HELP Academic Suspension Letter Appeal

Student Lounge College Life
1

Would anyone be willing to give me some feedback on my letter?

My name is [name] and I am currently a Computer Science major at the University of Maine. I am writing to you in hopes of an appeal to the decision of my academic suspension. When I found out about my academic suspension I felt disappointed in myself, but I understand why the decision was made. I failed to meet the requirements of the college to remain a student on campus. I take full responsibility for my actions and I am at fault for being in this position. I’d like to lay out the full circumstances of my failure, my mistakes handling those circumstances, and my future plans for success if I am allowed to return in the fall.

I admit I had a very difficult time last semester, and my grades suffered as a result. I don’t want to make excuses for my poor academic performance, but I would like to explain my circumstances. My first semester of freshman year I registered for the required courses for Computer Science and I struggled slightly in them, and passed them with B’s. I thought Computer Science was the right major for me so I continued to the second semester. I took the second semester courses for Computer Science and I struggled a lot. I struggled in Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming, and I was working so hard to understand it that I didn’t leave as much time for my other classes. I didn’t ask for help enough as I should, and I understand I should have gotten more help. I acknowledge that I should have managed more time more wisely which had led to me doing so poorly. I felt trapped and didn’t know if Computer Science was right for me. By the end of the semester I had decided to change my major to Mechanical Engineering, since I struggled so much in the Computer Science. If I get reinstated I will be changing my major to Mechanical Engineering and working on improving my GPA.

Last semester has taught me that if I’m struggling in a class I need to ask for help when I really need it and I need to focus more on my schoolwork and understanding everything completely. My plan is to increase my time I spend on homework and my time studying for quizzes and test to about thirty to forty hours a week. If I see myself slipping, I will visit my professors to seek help, and if I am still struggling I will ask for a tutor to help me with my classes. I will strictly focus on my schoolwork. If given the chance, I will be retaking Calculus 1 for a better grade, I will construct studying blocks everyday to study for my classes and will always ask for help when I need it. 

    I love [college name], and it would mean so much to me to graduate from this school, which would make me the first person in my family to complete a college degree. If I am reinstated, I will focus more on my schoolwork, ask for help when I need it, and manage my time more wisely. Please understand the my low GPA does not indicate I am a bad student, but I just had one very bad semester. I hope you will be give me a second chance. Thank you in advance and for taking the time to read my letter.
2

It’s too long and repetitive. They know why they dismissed you. Three paragraphs, the biggest in being devoted to how you will prevent the situation from occurring agin. You need to be more concise: I regret my actions, I was immature, etc… Here is why I screewed up, briefly. Here are the steps I will take to ensure I can succeed. (List them, and be precise. I will meet with professors at the start of the term and regularly to ensure I am on track. I will attend tutoring sessions. I will form study groups, or similar. I will minimize work/socializing, etc…and spend xxx hours every day for studying. I will attend all classes and read all assignments. Whatever else…) then thank them for taking their time, you really apprecaite it, and you would be grateful if they would reconsider your dismissal.

3

A concern I have is that your struggle with Calc 1 might make it difficult to get admitted to the Mechanical Engineering department at this time. Do you have any class (or work) experience that would make a compelling positive argument for admissions to the ME department?

If you don’t have a strong case for why ME is a better major for you, then instead of asking for an ME major you could ask to be readmitted as undecided. State in your letter that you are asking this because you realize now that you need to more carefully consider your major selection. If your college offers counseling to help you in this regard, say that you will be taking advantage of these services.