SAP Appeal Letter Help

<p>Hello I just completed my SAP appeal letter that I'm planning to mail it as soon as possible. I just wanted to get some feedback on the overall structure of the essay and if I need any improvements or modifications. </p>

<p>Dear Appeal Board, </p>

<p>My name is ________ and I am writing a letter of appeal for my recent suspension of financial aid. The reason why I didn’t meet the terms of the satisfactory academic progress last semester is due to my changing of major from ________ to Economics in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. I dropped two courses, ________ and __<strong><em>with the intention to focus more towards the prerequisites that will enable me to transfer into the economics discipline by the Spring 2014 semester. I reasoned with myself to make this ultimate decision because I am currently in the _</em></strong>_ and I would have to apply for an inter-college transfer. The possibility of not being able to matriculate into my intended major scared me to believe that I was making an optimal decision. </p>

<p>Consequently, dropping the two courses left me with only 12 credit hours for the semester and instead of utilizing the abundance of opportunities to focus more on my remaining classes, I ultimately took it for granted by procrastinating. Furthermore, after receiving mediocre marks on my exams, I became very uncertain about the path that I chose in terms of my academic discipline and led me to have a lack of conviction towards my schoolwork. However this does not apply towards my aspirations after I graduate. I have dreams of having a career in consulting and entrepreneurship but like any feats of achievement in this world, I painstakingly realized that focusing on the end product does not prove effective in the long run (or the short run). This widely accepted principle took me a while to embrace due to my naivety. After a mediocre and frustrating two years in college, I finally realized what I was doing wrong. I set my goals in front of me but I never had the willpower to put forth my full potential while studying. It was until I realized the possibility of not being able to come back to the __________ next semester that willpower along with preparation is necessary to fuel any kind of achievement. A vital factor to help me get another chance to improve upon my mistakes is to receive financial aid and although I have been performing at mediocre standards, I promise to put forth my full potential by organizing my priorities and being proactive outside of the classroom. </p>

<p>My first priority is to perform well in my classes. Personally I plan to build the framework to my goal-oriented mindset by keeping a daily agenda that will organize the classes and meetings that I have to attend. I believe that constructing a list of objectives will enable me to develop a healthy habit while performing my daily activities. Among my objectives, I plan on dedicating 2-3 hours to reviewing and studying new material that I learned in class as well as prepare myself for future lessons throughout the week by reading over lesson plans. </p>

<p>In social aspects I plan on joining the Economics Club this following semester to network and engage in discussions with students who have similar academic interests as me. It is a new academic approach in comparison with my previous one because I never joined any clubs or organizations that pertained to my current major. Therefore I am looking forward to opening my mind to other brilliant students and leaders this campus organization has to offer. I am also very interested in the __________ academic internship program. This program offers the opportunity for me to pursue my interests in policy economics by allowing me to intern for academic credit while living in _________ for one semester. Stumbling upon this program made me realize that there are many opportunities that this university has to offer in helping students find their passion within their studies. The opportunity for me to learn in a fun and professional atmosphere has made me very eager to work hard towards that goal this following semester. </p>

<p>In conclusion I take full responsibility of my actions, or the lack of, during the past semester. I admit that I haven’t made a conscious effort to pursue my goals in college thus far. The false commitment I made towards myself made me realize that I have come short in several ways. And after realizing the pattern of my poor grades I have constructed a game plan to revitalize my career as a student at the ________. With a personal discipline and plans to engage in academic organizations, I have been reminded of my purpose as a student and as a future professional. I should have acted upon this earlier however taking this difficult route has been virtuous and revealing for my character. This year I intend to fully commit to my academics as well as make conscious efforts to garner interests from campus organizations. With financial aid I have the opportunity to devote myself to these promises in becoming an excellent student. </p>

<p>I consider myself blessed to be able to attend the ____________ and my experience has been nothing but extraordinary. I am an out-of-state student and being able to attend school in another state gives me the privilege to open up to new perspectives and opportunities. In addition to being given another chance, I believe I am ready to fully take on my responsibilities to immerse myself in this great learning environment. I will do everything in my power to not only meet the SAP requirements but to exceed them as I maintain grades that will reflect excellence in myself and in my course of study. In other words, I sincerely hope that I am given the chance to prove my words to be true. </p>

<p>I have included a document to prove my concentration towards the economics major. </p>

<p>Thank you for your time and consideration on this matter. </p>

<p>Sincerely,</p>

<p>I think its too long; I bowed out after you listed several excuses.
I think the focus needs to be how you will change, academically- on paper, not how you will join clubs and do “everything in your power”. They care about grades not excuses, nor long-winded essays about what you’ll do after you graduate. </p>

<p>If you have any kind of federal aid, it is a requirement that the university monitor the Satisfactory Academic Progress of their students receiving aid. So how will you change to improve your grades? What university tools are you using to improve your grades? NONE! Clubs are not academic.
In other words:<br>
"I’ve signed up for tutoring at XYZ’s university Student Academic Success Center and am scheduled to attend their weekly writing center sessions. I will also take advantage of their math center’s “drop in” hours. Please speak to Mr. Hiram Higginbottom for additional details of my appointments (<a href=“mailto:higginbottom@XYZ.edu”>higginbottom@XYZ.edu</a>.)</p>

<p>“On Thursdays, I have scheduled sessions with (ECON professor) Marty Smarty’s graduate assistant to review my notes and help me plan my graphic organizer. His email is ___”</p>

<p>“I’ve asked my local food bank if they could use an economics intern, to check inventory status and project needs for the following quarter. I will be donating my time and have created my own volunteer position. My supervisor is Nancy Smancy-she can be reached at Just in Thyme Food bank ___________”</p>

<p>These actions can be “measured”. Saying you’ll "change’ can’t be measured.<br>
Your “essay” just makes more of the same excuses. Be proactive and tell them how you are taking advantage of the university’s programs to help you achieve increasing your grades. Otherwise, you’d better start researching some expensive loans.</p>

<p>I would very much like to take advantage of any program that is helpful towards my degree but I just received notice of my SAP in May and there was no way for me to participate in the University’s programs this summer. </p>

<p>In what other ways can I improve the direction of this essay to make it more persuasive?</p>

<p>Everyone receives their notices in May! You’re not getting it. That’s when you should have STARTED investigating your options. No one says you have to “participate” THIS summer, that’s an excuse. </p>

<p>It’s now July and you’re just now realizing that you aren’t getting FA, so you’re backpedaling by writing an essay, detailing how you screwed up, and adding fluff about how you’ve learned your lesson. That is not going to cut it. </p>

<p>You have LOST your FA and you’re going to make a calendar, study, and join a club to fix your grades? This is high school fluff. You’re at a college now and learning with the big kids. </p>

<p>Now, you hope that an essay, about how you’ve found your motivation is all you need to do to BS the appeal committee. YOU really don’t get it. If I can read through your BS, what do you think the committee members will see? They need an academic plan from you with monthly steps that you’ve outlined, and research that you’ve done, about your university’s academic services that you plan to utilize which you didn’t do before your decrease in grades. </p>

<p>PLEASE! There’s always someone on campus during the summer! Another excuse. You can email or call and see what is available for the fall and then commit to seeking out and signing up for those programs. It’s all about the academics. Your UNIVERSITY MUST COMPLY WITH FEDERAL STANDARDS of taking away your financial aid because you couldn’t get above a C average. Writing about improving yourself ACADEMICALLY needs to have the documentation of resources to back it up. </p>

<p>Right now, you’re telling CC readers that you will do the bare minimum by writing a BS essay. If you aren’t capable of writing an academic plan, then I suggest you go to a CC to bring up your grades and transfer back in.</p>