Admissions Please look over my Academic Suspension appeal

[Ricster55]

As for additional documentation, should I list down the courses I plan to take for the next fall and spring semester.

 

[Ricster55]

After reviewing your second letter, I suspect you may be under the impression that you only need to study one hour for each semester hour of class per week. That can be true for the really smart students. However, I had a professor who burst that bubble for me and spelled out his formula for success in his class. A typical student who studied for 3-6 hours in his 3 semester credit class could expect a C (1-2 hours per week per credit). To get a B would require 6-9 hours and an A would require 9 or more hours of study (3+ hours per credit) for the typical student.
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So for a 12 semester load, a student who wants to earn or assure themselves a 4.0 GPA would need to allocate 36 hours of their time in addition to the 12 hours of classroom instruction (48 hours total). So four 3 credit classes may require 6 solid days of attendance and study to earn their 4.0 GPA. Does that sound like the sort of effort you want to expend?
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Most of us wouldn't want that either, so I suggest you not promise that type of effort as it is unrealistic and probably unwarranted. However, you should be aware that your current plan (2-4 hours per class) kinda says, "I'm asking you to let me return to school so that I can squeak by with a C average." You need to be aware of the kind of effort it takes to earn a 3+ GPA at the college level. What worked in high school won't cut it in college, even a supposedly easy community college (I've had my own share of challenging courses at a community college as well).

I plan on taking three classes over the next fall and spring semester. My plan would be to at least study around 4-6 hours for each class. Over the shorter session, I plan on taking other courses I have interest in like history. Would that be a good plan?

 

[micromass]

My plan would be to at least study around 4-6 hours for each class.

Promises, promises, promises. The committee will never believe this.

 

[Ricster55]

Promises, promises, promises. The committee will never believe this.

What do I say to make them believe? Should I say by turning off my house computer and only studying at the library? Being at home is my comfort zone and can be very distracting.

 

[micromass]

What do I say to make them believe? Should I say by turning off my house computer and only studying at the library? Being at home is my comfort zone and can be very distracting.

There very little you can say to "make them believe". But there are many things you can do. Having an advisor, professor or counciller by your side would help your case a lot.

 

[Ricster55]

There very little you can say to "make them believe". But there are many things you can do. Having an advisor, professor or counciller by your side would help your case a lot.

But should I provide my plan for the following Junior year, like the classes I plan on taking for both the fall and spring semester. Should I let them know I am re-studying my Calculus and Chemistry notes for when I am taking the next classes?

 

[micromass]

But should I provide my plan for the following Junior year, like the classes I plan on taking for both the fall and spring semester. Should I let them know I am re-studying my Calculus and Chemistry notes for when I am taking the next classes?

Sure, but it won't be all that helpful.

 

[Ricster55]

Sure, but it won't be all that helpful.

How would it not be helpful? At least I am letting them know my plan for the upcoming Junior Year? Do I have to tell them the hours I plan on studying as well. What about telling them that I will take advantage of the resources given to me such as tutors, going to professors office for help, etc?

 

[micromass]

How would it not be helpful? At least I am letting them know my plan for the upcoming Junior Year? Do I have to tell them the hours I plan on studying as well. What about telling them that I will take advantage of the resources given to me such as tutors, going to professors office for help, etc?

You still don't get it do you? They don't want words and promises from you. They want proof and evidence that you'll keep your promises.

 

[Ricster55]

You still don't get it do you? They don't want words and promises from you. They want proof and evidence that you'll keep your promises.

That is what I'm trying to point out. Along with an advisors note of my promises, I want to show them my plan for the next year as well to support my appeal.

 

[micromass]

That is what I'm trying to point out. Along with an advisors note of my promises, I want to show them my plan for the next year as well to support my appeal.

I honestly don't see any reassurance and guarantees for the committee.

 

[Dishsoap]

That is what I'm trying to point out. Along with an advisors note of my promises, I want to show them my plan for the next year as well to support my appeal.

They do not want your advisor to say "Ricster55 promises A, B, and C." They want your advisor to say "I have spoken with Ricster55, and after making a solid plan with him, I truly believe that he has the capability to succeed."

 

[Vanadium 50]

After reading 3 pages of this, I have come to an unpleasant conclusion: the committee should reject your appeal.

First, you need to understand what you are asking of them. You have not succeeded in college. If they let you go, they can admit one more student - a student who might succeed where you have not. If they give you a second chance, they are depriving that student of her first chance. You need a powerful argument because if you prevail, the college has to tell that other student that she cannot attend. The bar is high.

Your English skills are not where they need to be for college. This will affect you not just for this letter but throughout college. In short, you are not adequately prepared for college. This may not be entirely your fault, but it is nevertheless true.

The plan you present isn't even consistent. Are you going to drop classes that are not required, or are you going to take them in the shorter term?

If "taking notes" is a new thing for you, something that will make the difference, you are in big trouble. If you did this before, this isn't a change. If you didn't even take notes before, that means that you didn't take college even a tiny bit seriously. Neither case is good.

As others have pointed out 4-6 hours per class makes no sense. If daily, it's impossible. If weekly, it's insufficient. The fact that you haven't clarified this despite repeated requests does not bode well.

Sorry, but you've demonstrated that you are unprepared, and you have not produced a credible plan to turn things around. If you don't change these things, the outcome will be the same. The committee knows this, and they know it would be irresponsible of them to readmit you.

The sort of plan that they will need to see looks like this:

1. I will take remedial English and the following N other classes to get my preparation up to speed.
2. I will take a reduced load from now until graduation to ensure I can handle the work.
3. Here is my proposed course schedule from now until graduation. Note that a) it's consistent with #2, and b) my advisor has signed off on this. See his attached letter.
4. I will take the following N specific actions to improve my study habits. These actions need to be of the form "I will attend the following sessions from the college counseling center" and not "maybe the library is a better place to study".

That still might not work, but it is a lot more likely to work than any of the drafts you posted so far.

 

[Nidum]

Personally I think that it would be better for you not to make this application .

Surely a more productive strategy would be for you to take a year to get yourself straightened out .

Decide whether you really want to pursue academic studies or not .

If you do then take some classes - at community colleges or wherever else is available - to allow you catch up academically .

You may find when taking classes second time around that the work comes much easier to you .

In a years time - and with you well prepared and with solid achievements to demonstrate - make your application for re-admission then or perhaps better apply afresh to some entirely new college .

 

[micromass]

Check if your college has courses on time management, public speaking or other things. Taking those would be a good idea.