I am writing to request an appeal of my current dismissal status at XXXX University. I am enrolled in the Associate of Arts in Psychology degree program and I have attempted the ENG101- Composition 1 course three times and failed on the dates from October XX to November XX, XXXX, December XX, XXXX to January XX, XXXX, and my last attempt was from February XX to March XX, XXXX. Up until my first attempt with ENG101- Composition 1 my grade point average was a 4.0. I was proud of myself being that it was my first time to ever make it on the President’s List. I had so much satisfaction because not only was I doing something that I loved and enjoyed, but after the first few courses I was able to recognize the knowledge that I have gained and use it in real life situations.
At the time of my first attempt in ENG101- Composition 1, I started to use drugs and my school work no longer was my main priority. I did not participate in class discussions, my assignments were turned in late, I did not study and prepare myself for tests, and I stopped communicating with my instructors and the faculty. When I received the news of my dismissal after my third attempt on March XX, XXXX I began to realize how serious of a situation I was in. I always told myself, “Once I get enrolled in college I will graduate,” I did not want to enroll myself and then quit, or somehow the other not be able to finish the program. I want to fix this dispute and return to XXXX University and continue to perceive my degree.
I have taken a few steps into what I feel will help prolong my sobriety as well as help me succeed in my future courses if I were readmitted into the XXXX Online Program. To help me on the road to recovery I have reached out and got a sponsor, XXXX XXXX. With her help I have started my own 12-Step Recovery Program and attend addiction recovery meetings weekly. Along with this letter, you will find a letter from my sponsor explaining more on my progress and current status. I am also interested with the counseling that XXXX University has to offer to help keep me mentally and emotionally stable with stress, depression, and anxiety if needed. To help keep my grades up and make up for my poor past performance I will communicate and participate with my fellow classmates’ and instructor, as well as ask questions and participate more during weekly discussions. I will also visit with a tutor weekly and have regular check-ins with my Academic Counselor on my performance. I will put more time out for my school work because my education is my top priority, and if I ever have a question I will reach out. My education really means a lot to me, and it is something that I will do whatever I can to become successful.
Thank you for taking the time to consider my appeal. Please do not hesitate to contact me if there are any questions.
Sincerely,
XXXX XXXX
XXXXXXXX
XXXXXXX
Just to clarify- you flunked the exact same class three times, but it was only the third failure that got you to see that you were in serious trouble?
I applaud you for taking your sobriety seriously. Maybe you should focus on staying clean for now, and put off college for a bit?
I didn’t realize you could be dismissed.
And I have to stay focused on staying clean for the rest of my life; I overcame an addiction, but when I feel like I’m ready to go and finish my education then I’m going too and I definitely am ready.
So English Comp was the one that did you in? Everyone has a class that they find challenging. I applaud you for taking it three times. Is the class required? I say after three flunks that you should try another route by taking a different class and avoiding English Comp at all costs.
Every college has their own values and standards so it is hard to speculate how your appeal will go.
I wish you the best of luck on your appeal.
Thanks. And yes it is required. I can’t pass because it is a lot of work, but what do I expect. I have a 10 page essay, plus an essay every week that’s written about my final essay and then I have tests in between all this. I’m not the best with parts of speech and there is a lot of identifying parts of speech too.
You write fairly well in your post and letter, so it would seem you have the skills (“perceive” should be “pursue” but that might be a type or autocorrect).
Did you fail three times because of your substance abuse? Was this the only class you failed?
Almost all college programs have composition in the first year. You can take a CLEP instead if you want. It is not very hard and gives you 6 credits and a waiver for the college classes (1 and 2).
True sobriety takes awhile. I can’t tell how long you have been sober. Did you go to a treatment program at all? Is your sponsor a professional or otherwise qualified? (I understand what a sponsor is, and they range from a buddy to a serious skilled person who is tough on you.)
I think this letter makes the mistake almost everyone does, because you are in a position where you must feel you have to defend yourself. But there is too much information and too much text. I wouldn’t emphasize the number of times you have failed either.
Just maybe write that you failed English 101, due to a substance abuse problem that you have now addressed by joining a program. (No need to mention all 3 and certainly not all those dates- they have then anyway).Mention how long you have been sobe.r Offer the recommendation from your sponsor and maybe a professional as well. Also mention other measures you plan to take such as tutor, counselor on campus. Keep it simple, just what is necessary.
If this is not successful, believe me, all is not lost. You can take classes, and/or work and prove your ability to stay sober over a longer period of time and reapply or perhaps you will even find a new path that you like better. Life isn’t a race, you can do fine over time…
You might want to ask your advisor if a related course at a different community college would substitute for this one. I assume you are getting an F for not handing in the work, because your writing is decent.
No before I started using I was a 4.0 student, made it on the President’s List. I did not turn in all my work when I was using that is why I failed. Instead of turning in a 10 page essay it was 7 pages. My assignments did not provide everything that was required. So if that’s the case, should I focus my letter more on turning in completed assignments?
^^^ No, that’s splitting hairs. You failed three times, they don’t care if it’s because you turned in a 7 page essay or an 8 page essay.
As others have said, I’d focus on what you’ve done to get clean and your concrete plans to stay clean. No need to mention the number of times you failed or the dates. They’ll review all that info once they get your appeal.
My appeal was approved :)* Thank you for the advice everyone.
@Casper69 Way to go on your appeal! I noticed it’s been almost a year since this thread started, and I hope everything is going well for you and your road to sobriety. Hang in there! 