Okay guys here is a completely revised and reformatted version of my appeal draft. Hopefully, it is near the finished product. Thank you to those who have commented and continually supplied advice. I am ambitious, driven and will fight the hardest I can to have a second chance at my University’s education. I have tried to make my letter convey how serious I am about implementing change and outlining steps I will take. I thought that putting my personal issues last would detract from them overall, but also highlight their significance and impact on my academics.
I have four solid paragraphs of plans outlined for how to handle my academics and one for my mental/emotional state. I’ve poured over this letter for hours and if someone can lend a fresh pair of eyes that would be much appreciated. This still seems so long, but all so relevant.
Additionally, I am reaching out now to counselors and potential therapists but I can’t guarantee I’ll find someone to give me a definitive start date for treatment before this letter is due on 5/30.
Dear Dean [X] and Members of the Academic Standards Committee,
I am writing to appeal my academic dismissal from [X] University. I was not surprised, but still extremely upset to receive an email earlier today informing me of my dismissal. I'm writing with the hope that you will reinstate me for my final year at [X]. I greatly appreciate the opportunity to explain my circumstances.
I accept my failure to secure a sufficient GPI and the needed 12 credits per semester to remain in good academic standing at [X[, as well as a resultant drop in my GPA. I have already prepared summer classes to ensure I finish with 128 credits to graduate while retaking courses I struggled in. I have also decided to change my minor from science to Classical Studies: as my transcript shows, I have a better chance at academic success studying the classics for my GPA/GPI whilst also fulfilling credits needed to graduate. My GPA is above the 2.0 needed to remain in good academic standing and I am willing to do whatever it takes to get myself back on track and show an upward trend in GPA and GPI.
In order to improve my academic performance moving forward, I will take any measures requested or suggested by the university, including meeting with advisers or tutors weekly to help with coursework I may struggle with and to communicate better with the University. I will also seek help with class material by going to professors and teaching fellows much more than I have previously to eliminate the chance of falling behind. I will be proactive in seeking alternative help if I cannot make office hours by fully utilizing [X]'s Peer Tutoring program through the [X] to prevent my past mistakes.
Further plans for academic success, if reinstated, are to make studying and reviewing class material my top priority. This past semester I struggled with staying on top of lecture material on a daily basis so I will minimize distractions such as social media (I have already deactivated majority of my social media accounts) and extraneous websites that take time away from reviewing. It is my fault alone that I didn’t fully utilize University resources, like the [X]’s [Insert specific advising office] until I was too far behind. If reinstated my [X] adviser already agreed to meet with me bi-monthly for academic planning.
I will make academics my top priority rather than work or volunteering, which meant less time for extra help or reviewing material this past academic year. I have taken steps to reduce time spent on non-school matters for next year, such as making my position as Program Manager in [X]'s Community Service Center my sole extracurricular focus to ensure time for the extra help to succeed academically. I am reaching out to the Community Service Center’s director to make a plan to put my academics first without sacrificing my time in the CSC.
On a personal note, I believe I was impacted by the health issues suffered by my parents in the last two years, particularly a discovered thoracic aortic aneurysm suffered by my father in 2016, and the need to provide support for both my parents ever since. My mother slowly lost her mental composure from taking care of my father and it ultimately culminated in a mini-stroke spring of 2017. These events put a strain on me and thus I struggled academically. I am also the first person in my family to attend college and felt the added pressure to not let them down. When my grades started falling I felt a lot of shame. I didn’t seek help sooner to recover my grades because I was ashamed and too stubborn to realize I couldn’t handle my situation alone. I tried to hide what was going on and developed an eating disorder, which, combined with another diagnosis (polycystic ovarian syndrome), was a risk to my health and my studies.
I fully realize that I need professional help for these emotional and physiological issues and am seeking assistance to get myself where I need to be to complete my final year at [X]. I have reached out to [X]’s [X] Clinic and will continue to see them or whomever they refer to address the impact on my grades. This is the most important step I can take toward better grades as well as my health.
I love [X] University and sincerely wish to graduate from this institution, making me the first person in my immediate family with a college degree. I hope to serve [X] and the city of [X] as a Program Manager in [X]’s Community Service Center by bringing enrichment programs to youth. This title as well as my admission into [X] University are two positions I fought hard for, and I would like to keep both of them. I have big goals for my future and so much more left to do at [X] if you would give me a second chance. Thank you for considering this appeal.