Feedback on my Appeal Letter for Academic Dismissal?

College Life
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A successful appeal must do several things:

  1. show that you understand what went wrong
  2. show that you take responsibility for the academic failures
  3. show that you have a plan for future academic success
  4. 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.

  1. search this topic on CC and you will see many other posts on academic appeals
  2. Make sure your letter states what the issue was that caused you to have academic difficulties
  3. Did you talk to your professors/dean of students about the issue?
  4. Did you make use of the many resources your school has? if not, why not?
  5. 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.collegeconfidential.com/college-life/1920853-college-is-a-step-up-from-hs-16-tips-on-doing-well-in-college.html
  6. State how you would use those in the future
  7. How are you addressing what caused the issue?
  8. Think about if you should continue at college, or take a break.
  9. Think about if you should continue at a community college, to be close to your family
  10. 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.

So specifically to your letter:

The first word is missing and the last sentence of the first paragraph is not finished.

  1. You have depression. Have you been diagnosed by a doctor with depression? Are you on medications? Have you seen your doctor regularly? If you have not been formally diagnosed, then go immediately and get evaluated by a doctor. If they do diagnose you with depression, you could ask for a retroactive medical withdrawal.

  2. You have Aspgergers. I don’t think you have explained satisfactorily what will be different. E.g., will you get someone to help you plan out your week?

  3. You are going to take 2 summer courses at once. You will be doing 2 courses in less than half of the time. This will be like a full time job. What will be different that you will do better?

  4. What resources have you used at school? Tutors? Going to professor office hours? Study groups? Writing center? Review sessions?
    Make sure you know all of the resources your college has.
    http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-life/1920853-college-is-a-step-up-from-hs-16-tips-on-doing-well-in-college.html