Thoughts on my Readmission Petition Letter

Hello all,
I’m applying for readmission for the Spring after an academic suspension last Fall. I’d really appreciate feedback on my petition letter. Thank you in advance. It is as follows:

When I came to This University as a freshman in 2013, and eventually left after the first semester of my sophomore year in 2014, I was isolated. I did not have a support system, spent the majority of my time alone and couldn’t find motivation to leave my room. I was misdiagnosed with depression after leaving the university and underwent treatment for this condition. I did not notice a large difference with the medication I was on, but decided to buckle down, find work, go back to school and get myself back on track. I attended Local Technical College from 2015 to 2017 and worked various retail jobs around the city until I felt ready to attempt university again. I was readmitted to the university in Fall of 2017 and was thrilled to start again.

That semester at University began well but I soon started feeling the same attitudes and traps that caused my initial academic suspension in 2014. I found it hard to focus and study for long periods of time. I got very frustrated with myself and the fact that I couldn’t focus through simple tasks such as reading a chapter in my chemistry textbook. I tried new study habits, and some did help, but even when I invested a good deal of time in studying, there was no guarantee that I would retain much information. I recall going over the same Vector Calculus problems several times in one session, thinking I understood them, and then getting the related question wrong on a quiz or test. My partner was confused how I could spend every single night studying and still be doing poorly on quizzes and tests. I would often procrastinate because my work made me feel anxious and defeated.

I received a diagnosis for Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder this past Summer after rigorous tests performed by my psychiatrist, Dr.Gab (see attached letter). This diagnosis was a revelation for me as it explains my inability to concentrate for extended periods of time and my previous misdiagnosis of chronic depression (depression being a common symptom of ADHD). Living and studying as a student with ADHD will present challenges, but I am working in tandem with my doctor, my family and all of my support systems to be the fullest, healthiest version of myself. Following my diagnosis I began a treatment process that includes a medication routine of Adderal (Mydayis 25 mg) and a companion supplement of Reduced L-Glutathione. Since starting this routine I have found it much easier to concentrate on my work assignments, study, and read for long periods of time. Because of this, I have never been more confident in my ability to return to school and succeed academically.

My goals, if readmitted, are to develop closer relationships with my professors, schedule myself to attend as many tutoring/SI sessions as I can, register with The Student Disability Resource Center as a student with ADHD, and stay the course of treatment I am undergoing with my psychiatrist. I believe my ADHD treatment will help my academic performance, but I cannot just assume I’ll be doing better automatically. Real work and effort will need to be put into my coursework and improving as a student if I want to succeed. I feel committed and ready for that work. Of course my ultimate goal if readmitted is to earn my degree and I’ve always wanted This Univeristy’s Name to be the name across my diploma.

Its a bit long. Perhaps leave out all the “misdiagnosis” stuff and focus on what you have done successfully to improve and what you will continue to do. Stay positive.

I agree with @jym626 that it is long. Too many details left this reader wondering if the third time really is the charm. I would refer to anything in the past as “a difficult academic and medical history prior to my ADHD diagnosis”, and focus on what you are doing and why this time is different. Be specific. Don’t use words like “I feel” or “I believe” because you don’t have room for hope and opinions anymore - you AND the college - need to KNOW you can succeed. A second chance would have been understandable, but a third chance will be defying the odds. Offer to answer any questions they might have. Good luck!

@Groundwork2022
So do you suggest dropping the stuff before Fall 2017 and get straight into what happened that semester or ignore all of that and just talk about why this time will be different? Is it better to focus more on why I’ll succeed this time and not what went wrong previously?

@jym626 Solid advice, thank you.

Don’t do anything to draw attention to the fact you’ve already had two chances. Go right to “why this time is different”. Stick to facts, not feelings. Be thorough, but not long-winded. Have a plan.

I’m not sure you should leave out the misdiagnosis entirely. But do shorten the top and change the focus. The misdiagnosis shows that you recognized a problem, sought help, and followed the recommended treatment. This supports your claim that you will do the same with the current diagnosis.

^^^ This. You already have the facts, thoroughness, and plan in your letter. Cut away the stuff that hides it.

I would cut the part of the paragraph that went before this and replace it with a simple statement of the ADHD diagnosis. Those are thorough facts and the last paragraph spells out your plan. Add a shortened, fact based introduction.

Good luck!