<p>Where to start... My senior year was a mess. The only good thing that happened was, I got into umich. At the beginning of the year I added way too many classes. My dad got into an accident at work and had his hip replaced. My brother came out as transgender and this was really tough on him because he is only 15 so he went through a long process of seeing psychiatrists and being put on antidepressants. I worked 24 hours a week at my part time job. 30 after I turned 18. My mother is constantly trying to get my dad sent to jail because he owes her $500 a month in "spousal support" payments. He is a roofer and he works alone. I actually spoke on his behalf in court and now my mother won't speak to me. My friends all moved to different schools or were graduated and off to college. I had no support system. Throughout the year my grades got lower and lower. I'm not even sure what my final grades turned out to be but I know they weren't good. I think I got about 4 c's by the end of the year (my school is on the trimester system). Either way, I got the letter last thursday. I wrote back and said pretty much what I said on here. I'm having a hard time getting a hold of my guidance counselor. I don't really know what else to do. I can't get my admission revoked. My life would be over. I understand that I messed up big time but I am ready to turn over a new leaf and begin a new chapter of my life where I can go to college and focus on my dreams. But it seems like I won't be able to. What do I do? I feel lost and helpless. I don't know if I can live with myself knowing I had everything and just blew it.</p>
<p>Hold the phone,</p>
<p>It sounds like you had a lot on your plate. I recommend that you send an email with the following</p>
<p>-State that you will NOT be working anywhere near 24 hours a week during the fall semester. Why did you work so many hours? Did you need to support yourself or your family? If so, you should mention that is why you worked such a large amount
-Explain the family situations (maybe even in more detail, unless it makes you feel uncomfortable). I don’t think many students admitted to U-M had parents fighting over “spousal support” payments</p>
<p>You should also contact your guidance counselor again and try to have him/her write a letter explaining how you are a great student (you did get admitted) and that these “unusual” (you can probably find a better word) circumstances are the reason why your grades fell.</p>
<p>More importantly, DO NOT BE SO HARD ON YOURSELF. From the sound of it, a lot of what happened was out of your control. You were given a bad hand in a card game.</p>
<p>I honestly needed to work that much. I pay for my own gas, clothes, shoes, school supplies etc. My dad tries to help me out as much as he can, but he is in a lot of debt himself. I will post the letter I sent in a moment. I think it will give more insight. I realize I left a few important things out. Should I send another letter or will that just annoy them?</p>
<p>thank you so much for your reply btw. I really am a wreck right now.</p>
<p>Dear Grade Review Committee,</p>
<p>I am writing to you to explain the decline in grades during my senior
year. I would like to begin by saying I accept all responsibility for
the lack in my performance. However, this was not out of laziness or
negligence. To be honest, I pushed myself past my personal limits this
school year. I overloaded my senior year schedule without anticipating
the time I would need to spend on family issues, work, personal
issues, and senior year activities.</p>
<p>Soon after school began, my father had an accident at work that
demanded he have a hip replacement. This created an emotional and
financial strain on my whole family. My relationship with my mother
became tumultuous over my fathers missed spousal support payments. I
was constantly worried he would have to go to jail over the missed
payments. My mother now refuses to speak with me because I spoke on my
father’s behalf in court.</p>
<p>Around the same time, my younger brother had come out to the family
that he was transgender female to male. I really struggled with this
transition and our once strong, supportive relationship became one of
turmoil. This all became so much for me to handle on top of such a
busy academic schedule. I was no longer able to be the strong section
leader in band I once was. I felt a definite change in the way I felt
from day to day. Every morning I felt slower and groggier. I looked
more unkempt. My self esteem sunk. It was very obvious I was depressed
but I was too afraid to come to anyone for help. I had set the bar so
high for myself and I could not come to terms with the fact that I
should lower it.</p>
<p>In retrospect, I should have been able to admit to myself that due to
the circumstances I should change my academic plan. I had too much
pride to admit to myself I couldn’t overcome the challenges before me.
Everyone expected so much from me. I was afraid to disappoint the
people that were counting on me. Even though with each day I became
more disappointed in myself. Often the only thing that kept me getting
out of bed in the morning was the idea that soon I would be a
Wolverine.</p>
<p>The worse my grades got, the worse I felt. The worse I felt, the worse
my grades got. I watched them slip lower and lower as I tried my best
to clear my head long enough to finish an assignment. By the time I
swallowed my pride enough to ask for help, my teachers were already
fed up with my failure to perform. Perhaps if I had been honest with
myself instead of pushing too hard I wouldn’t have reached my breaking
point.</p>
<p>While I did make many poor academic decisions, I assure you that I
have learned from my mistakes. I am not a lazy person. I value
education. I have just hit a low point in my life. Every dark cloud
has a silver lining, and while my senior year was probably one of the
worst years of my life, I learned so much about myself. I am almost
thankful for the reality check that life has put me through, because I
feel more prepared to make decisions that will lead me to success.</p>
<p>I sincerely hope that you will look past my struggles to see that I am
able to take on the challenges of a college education. There is
honestly nothing I am more passionate about. I know I can succeed if I
am given the chance.</p>
<p>If I could speak frankly for a moment, I would like to ask from the
bottom of my heart for another chance. My dream is to work in a lab
where I can develop treatments for people with mental health issues.
All the mornings I woke up late for school with my textbook pages
stuck to my face, it seemed as though my dream were slipping further
and further away. I ask for a chance to make my dream a reality.
Please realize what it would mean to me to break away from all the
struggles I have at home to a place where I can flourish and focus on
what matters to me. I promise I have what it takes. I cannot afford to
lose this. I am much stronger than the percentages on my report card
this year.</p>
<p>Please let me know if there is anything else I could offer that would
aid you in making your decision.</p>
<p>My Sincerest Apologies,</p>
<p>You’ll be fine Kurtlin. The letter above is good. Wait for others to offer their $0.02, but my vote would be to send it in.</p>
<p>I think he said that already sent it in (I assume Kurtlin is a guy’s name). I think your fine, but I agree with one of the other posters that you should talk to your HS counselor and ask him/her to send a letter in on your behalf.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for the replies! I did sent it in and I had a couple teachers send a supporting letter. But I still can’t get a hold of my counselor -_-
I was just wondering if you think this will work… I’m very scared. Michigan is really my only option other than being a hobo at this point. I really hope things work out.</p>
<p>Ps. Kurtlin is a girls name haha. Its a mix of my name and kurt cobain because nirvana was my favorite band in middle school so that was my nickname.</p>
<p>There is no need to worry. Assuming you are confident that your counselor will write a statement on your behalf once you establish contact, you can inform Michigan that you have been trying to contact your counselor and you will request that he/she write a letter on your behalf as well once you get a hold of him/her. Your academic case is not extreme enough to warrant drastic action. I cannot imagine that Michigan will rescind your offer as a result of four Cs.</p>
<p>To be honest, I don’t know exactly how bad my grades got because I never received my final report card yet and I no longer have access to my online grades. I hope its not worse than I expect… I don’t think it would be but I really am not sure. Two of my teachers who knew me well have written statements. I just hope my counselor checks her email! I emailed my superintendent and asked him to help me reach her and he said he would. They gave me an august 3rd deadline to send anything in. Thanks again for all the replies. They are much appreciated!</p>
<p>This was so sad to read, but your letter sounds great. Seriously hoping it works out for you! Good luck!!</p>
<p>Thank you so much! Its been tough but I hope it all works out in the end.</p>
<p>Kurtlin, your letter was good. The only “missing” piece was the compelling and competing phenomenon of having to work 24 or more hours a week to manage financially, and this having some relationship with your father’s being out of work and behind on child support.</p>
<p>If you have the opportunity to send along a note that the situation was exacerbated by an increased work schedule, that is the kind of concrete information that helps.</p>
<p>Also, be prepared to answer the question “What would you do differently to avoid performance issues if life became rough during school.” It’s a question that could be asked of you.</p>
<p>Best wishes.</p>
<p>Here is hoping you get good news!</p>
<p>UPDATE! I got an email this morning saying my admission has been continued for this year. I just have to meet with an academic advisor for the first few weeks. I’M GONNA BE A WOLVERINE!!</p>
<p>GO BLUE!!</p>
<p>That’s great news! Enjoy!</p>
<p>I just read this thread trying to think of other ideas, then got to the good news. Congratulations! Good luck, you will do wonderful, never be afraid to ask for help in the future, it is there for you.</p>
<p>Congratulations! I hope you make the most of the wonderful opportunity that awaits you. Go Blue!!</p>
<p>Good Luck and </p>
<p>“Hurrah for the Yellow and Blue”</p>
<p>Thanks all :-)</p>