IF someone can look over my appeal that would be very helpful:
I’ve struggled most my life with depression and anxiety which has negatively affected me and became a big factor regarding my performance. There were many days where my depression completely took over and I felt there was no way I could be successful. I knew my responsibilities, what was important, and what I needed to do, but did not have the mental strength. Anxiety restricted me from showing my professors how much I can accomplish when I set my mind to something, and from doing things that required stepping out of my comfort zone, like speaking up to ask questions in class or visiting my professors during their office hours. Since these are all important things in college, my grades were negatively affected. I visited CAPS twice, but not as much as I should have this semester. Since then, I have seen a doctor for treatment with my depression and anxiety. I have become more willing to challenge myself and ready to give everything I can as a student and show how well I can do academically. During the last week of school last year, I was sick with mono during exams, which affected my cumulative GPA and hindered me from giving my best on my finals from the pain I was in. I was also met with a class that was very challenging, Mr. Atterholt’s pre-calculus class, which was the only course I did not do well in. I put in many hours studying for his tests and I understand I could have went to him more often to discuss curriculum that I did not understand. I do take full responsibility for my academic failures, but plan to show that I am capable of much more when I set my priorities correctly with a clear mind.
My plan for improving my academics begins with utilizing CAPS, more often. This way, I can receive help, as needed, with my mental health and continue studying at WCU. Since receiving treatment, Ive become more motivated to do my best and work hard in all my classes to show my full potential. I plan to change my study habits and prove how responsible I can be by managing my time more wisely and completing all assignments in the library. I will meet with my professors during their office hours to discuss anything I am struggling with and work on communicating with them more often. My second plan is to make use of the WALC and all learning services for help with assignments I’m struggling with and find a tutor in classes that are challenging. I plan to meet with my advisor upon coming back to discuss the best plan of action for my success and retake courses I did poorly in. I hope that the board will give me the opportunity to prove that I am capable of being a strong student, to show how passionate I am about earning my degree and how hard I can work to be successful. I am prepared to show my fullest potential if I am given the privilege of being readmitted.
You should look over the other posts about appeals, where the advice always is to shorten them. Your letter should start with a sentence saying what you are appealing. There is too much discussion of your depression when just one sentence will do.
Agree with @CheddarcheeseMN,
Keep it simple and to the point. I didn’t even bother to read the full first paragraph because I read the first sentence and knew the gist of the rest of it. They don’t have time to read a novel. They already know you didn’t do well.
Focus on one short paragraph:
**how ** you will improve,
by using which facilities? tutoring center/writing center
appointments already scheduled with them^
monitored by? which professors and counselors have agreed to work with you on campus.
If you were sick with mono during finals, why on earth did you
Talk to your dean of students
Take incompletes?
Were you medically diagnosed with depression? If not, have you seen or will you see a doctor? If so, then you may be able to get a retroactive medical withdrawal.
Have you seen a doctor? Is your depression under control? What evidence do you have?
Can you appeal your dismissal?
A successful appeal must do several things:
show that you understand what went wrong
show that you take responsibility for the academic failures
show that you have a plan for future academic success
in a broad sense, show that you are being honest with yourself and the committee
Think about if you should continue at college, or take a break.
Think about if you should continue at a community college, to be close to your family
How is your college funded? Will that continue?
In general, keep in mind what the college wants…they want students who can succeed. They need to know that you understand what the issue was, know now the resources that you can use, how the problems is resolved so you will not have academic issues in the future.
Talk to admissions at the CC. Usually they allow anyone in.
This is the decision my committee would have made. Please use the time away from school to take care of your health issues. It would be good to be evaluated by a health professional, start a treatment plan, and find a job/volunteer position.
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Here is a post that I saw on this topic from someone who is on a committee that review these letters:
My committee would consider you a strong case for reinstatement if you can provide:
a) documentation from your health care provider of a diagnosis
b) confirmation from your health care provider that you have been compliant with treatment and your situation has improved so that you are better equipped to handle the stress of college life if/when you return
c) details of how you plan to continue your treatment plan after you return to school
d) details of other campus resources you will use and adjustments you will make after you return to enhance your success
e) some statement of how you know your treatment has improved your situation (e.g. if you have been working during your time away and found it easier to handle the stress and demands as your treatment progressed)