TDLR: I’m part-time, my GPA was good prior, 3.0 ish overall, I WF one class and D in another my TERM GPA is 0.57, and I’m trying to APPEAL my dismissal.
So this really sucks to post but I’m being academically dismissed from uncw. I took 2 classes this term and took a WF in one because I was too anxious to show up to class because I was sick in the 4th or 5th (I literally developed shingles from stress) and was nervous the arrogant professor would say something. Me being sick also didn’t impede on my learning since the material could be done at home and didnt require an in person exam. So it wasn’t detrimental. I missed the cutoff when I thought I could last-minute make up for the 5 quizzes and 1 test I missed.
I knew I’d take a hit but I planned already on making it up for the summer term.
I’m technically a senior but I have about 6 more semesters to go (I transferred with a ton of credits from a CC in another state and even though 30 credits are useless electives I’m stuck with them) I’m a stat major with a math minor and I have a while before I’m good to graduate but I have a solid plan for every semester.
I transferred last year and did well these past 2 semesters prior but failed CHM 102 because I was confident and didnt study enough. I retook it this semester but same deal was anxious and I ended up with a D in the class. It’s whatever my GPA was strong before I can pull it back up.
Problem is, with a WF and a D, my term GPA is a 0.57 BUT my overall is still a 2.25.
SO…
Within those parameters I am allowed to appeal the dismissal to a committee and theyll decide if I’m let back in on probation, sit out a term, or sign some academic contract about going to SI or tutors and office hours with professors.
I talked to someone in the college and she said I had a really good chance of being readmitted if I just explain why I had such a hard time.
Btw my first semester I had a 2.1 because of that first CHM 102 fail, and the last one I had a 3.2. I transferred in with 64 credits at about 3.2-3
3.
Since I only took 2 classes will it look better than having failed 4 or 5? My reason for doing so badly isn’t some death in the family or accident or financial burden.
I was just anxious but never sought therapy, I had a tutor for like a week but bailed because I felt stupid, I got lazy, I work 20 hrs a week but could definitely study on the job since I work at another school in the area. So it’s all my fault.
I desperately need them to re-admit me and allow me to take a summer semester since I have 2 bottle-neck courses for my major to complete so I can get momentum.
Do I have a good chance of making it back in? Has anyone else been term-dismissed and pleaded a successful case?
I’m required to write a brief letter but I don’t know If they’ll empathize if I have no solid reason for being such a loser.
The TLDR is you didn’t want to do the work. It’s called earning a degree for a reason.
“I don’t need to go to class or take exams to learn the material” shows a serious failure to understand the point of having professors and classes. If you were able to learn it all on your own, professors wouldn’t exist.
Frankly, they won’t want excuses as to what happened. They only care that it won’t happen again. Your appeal has little chance of working if you don’t show them what steps you will be taking to succeed. Are you in therapy? Are you reading the books, going to class, doing the work? Are you planning to go to professor office hours, the tutoring center, study groups? Are you going to alter your social life or work schedule to accommodate the necessary time need to devote to studying? Without providing evidence of those things, it’s going to be tough to get readmitted.
You need to be specific: I plan to go to office hours every Thursday afternoon…I plan to visit the tutoring center each Tuesday from 3-5 for stats tutoring…etc… SHOW them you are committed to succeeding. Good luck.
I agree with @Lindagaf and have a side question - Do you have enough credits to graduate in any major?
- Were you medically diagnosed with shingles? 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 anxiety 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
Here are some examples:
http://collegeapps.about.com/od/Academic-Dismissals/a/Sample-Appeal-Letter-For-An-Academic-Dismissal.htm
Some of this is general, and some specific to your situation.
- search this topic on CC and you will see many other posts on academic appeals
- Make sure your letter states what the issue was that caused you to have academic difficulties
- Did you talk to your professors/dean of students about the issue?
- Did you make use of the many resources your school has? if not, why not?
- Find out what those resources are…e.g. counseling center, talking to professors, talking to your adviser, withdrawing from class, talking to dean, maybe taking incompletes. Include specifics from your college. Here are more ideas http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/college-life/1920853-college-is-a-step-up-from-hs-16-tips-on-doing-well-in-college.html
- State how you would use those in the future
- How are you addressing what caused the issue?
- 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.
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)
@Lindagaf
I can plan out exactly how I’m going to treat the next semester for them and I’ve finally found a major and plan that I’m motivated to go after. This semester was just emotionally taxing but I can’t exactly justify that in the letter. I’ve been a solid student I just didn’t handle this semester well.
The reason I didnt go and was assuming I can teach myself is because for the 2+ years at community college for the 64+ credits I took that’s essentially what I did for any class that didn’t require attendance. And i did well in it so obviously i learned the hard way this school isnt the same but it was a habit built of me being lazy but seeing that same method work out.
Medically I have proof I was diagnosed and was cleared from a week of class but my symptoms were going on for about a week-10 days prior.
My anxiety hasn’t been officially treated but I will start therapy when I’m able to with my insurance to cover it. My anxiety now is obviously a bit worse given the situation but I know its manageable because it’s something I’ve been diagnosed with as a teenager. But because I have to submit this appeal by May 23rd it’s hard for a psychiatrist to tell me I’m compliant with a plan I would have started about 2 weeks prior to my first visit. But I’ll stil try.
It isn’t an odd dismissal at all. You didn’t hold up your part of the bargain by not attending class.
When I was doing hiring for my company, the two biggest things I evaluated applicants for were: plays well with others and being responsible. One part of being responsible meant always showing up. You would be doing yourself a favor to learn to do so.
@HPuck35 Odd meaning I wasn’t full time and a WF and a D is not the more common situation I have been reading about. I’m aware of how I’m responsible for this for not going to class and letting the semester go too easily.
Every school has standards to which full time students must meet and there would also be standards for part time students. Most of the discussion here would be for full time students. But no matter what, a 0.57 GPA for a term isn’t good. Look up the standards for your school and understand the rules of the game.
You seem to be overconfident in your abilities but lack follow through and organization. You skip class, you plan to make up half a dozen assignments at the last minute, and your backup plan is to just redo courses over the summer. If you were my kid I’d tell you to get a job for a year or two and return to school when you can prioritize your work, meet deadlines, and show up when you’re supposed to.
If you need help getting your anxiety under control please see someone.