Unfortunately, I did not do so well my first year of college. I was on probation my first semester I got a F in one class(college algebra) and a C-(chemistry) in another which really ruined my GPA and made it a 1.7ish. Well I retook those classes and didn’t do as well as I hoped I received a D and a B- in both 3 credit hour classes. Well it took me up to above a 2.0 but since I needed 12+ credit hours to be a full time student I enrolled in Calc I and intro to physiology. I received a B- in Calc and a F in physiology. I understand that it was my fault for not meeting the academic guidelines to be able to attend the university but I believe that next semester will be a great improvement. I am taking a summer course and I have also signed up to retake physiology in the fall which i hope can show how serious I am. I took 15 credit hours in the fall and I took 13 in the spring and my cumulative would round out to be about a 1.98 or something really close to that. I intend to appeal this suspension but I don’t know how to start it. Do you think I will have a good chance at winning this appeal? If i do not win this appeal how do I tell my family members I can not return to the school I am extremely scared.
You don’t seem to have identified what made you fail the class the first time, nor do you indicate what you will specifically do to improve. Saying “I believe that next semester will be a great improvement” is just misguided hope unless you have a solid plan to address what made you start off on a bad foot.
Is your major in something STEM related? You seem to be struggling with STEM classes.
My major involves a lot of chemistry and math… I was doing pharmacy. But College algebra was so hard to me I literally studied a lot for the class but it never worked out and physiology was a very hard class. Half the class withdrew but I couldn’t because it would put me below 12 hours but I went to the tutoring center a lot for college algebra an I also went to office hours like 4-5 times in the last 2 weeks.
Do you have an academic adviser who can help you to analyze what went wrong for you and outline a realistic academic improvement plan?
Yea, you think I should do that before writing the appeal?
I meant spring 2017*
Dear Dean XXXX,
I am writing to appeal my academic dismissal from The University of XXXX. I am ashamed to admit my low GPA reflects a lack of effort during the spring 2016 semester. I take full responsibility for my actions.
Being away from home for so long was a very new experience for me, and I greatly overestimated the ability to manage myself in the freedom I now had. I made poor choices this past year, especially during my second semester. I didn’t go to classes because I could sleep in, I went to parties knowing that I had upcoming exams, and I let my social life take over my academic career. I was irresponsible in not seeking help and I’m not proud of my choices or actions.
I realized I lost my focus this past semester and receiving notice of my dismissal was a big wake up-call for me. I am taking a summer course and I also plan to retake physiology if I am reinstated. I am committed to raising my GPA above the minimum requirement within one semester. If given the chance my GPA recovery plan has been to: 1) Make sure I attend every single class period, as well as proactively schedule office hours at least once a week for every professor and meet once a week and to also meet with my advisers the end of every week. 2) I will see on-campus tutors in the Learning Center for the extra help that I need as soon as I feel I can’t grasp the course material. 3) I will have a weekly schedule with at least 20 hours of study time outside of class to prepare for upcoming assignments, quizzes, and even more adequate time for exams. Nothing is more important to me than graduating The University of XXXX and I plan to make my schoolwork a priority.
I don’t know much about the process but I think it’s a solid appeal letter.
Ok thank you
I like that you outline an improvement plan. Good luck.