Letters / Academic Dismissal Appeal Letter/readmission letter - low GPA, I felt disappointed in myself [4]

my low GPA does not reflect my work ethic

Dear Provost's Dismissal Appeals Committee,
I am writing to appeal my academic dismissal from the University of XXX and I am hoping that you would reinstate me for the following school year. Firstly, I blame myself for getting such a low GPA and if I tried harder by utilizing the school's resources wisely then I would have never been put into this predicament. I felt ashamed and disappointed in myself for getting a dismissal letter for not being able to maintain a 2.0.

My poor grades are not a result of failure to prioritize coursework or extracurriculars outside of school, instead, they are a product from my mental health combined with my possible learning disorder, which both had a negative impact on schooling. What led me to believe that I have dyslexia is the fact that I always struggled with things like reading, writing, and doing well in tests, and at the college level I cannot hide or compensate my struggles as I once did in primary and secondary school. With the possibility of having a learning disorder I was also suffering from social anxiety which kept me from really seeking the help I needed with my learning problems. My learning problems made it hard for me to do things like concentrate and get good test grades so when my anxiety began to worsen it only added to the problem by adding on physical symptoms that were out of my control. Both began to take a toll on my grades. Getting officially tested for dyslexia would have provided me with a diagnosis, allowing for accommodations but that was something I could not afford so instead I sought help for my anxiety at a counseling center, where I have been working with a therapist over summer. After meeting with my therapist a couple times I was referred to a psychiatrist where I was diagnosed with social anxiety and depression and prescribed medication to lessen symptoms. Currently, I am working with the accessible education center to get accommodations in classes for my anxiety. While going to therapy for my anxiety my therapist told me about a scholarship that the accessible education center offers for testing learning disorders. My new found knowledge of this scholarship has encouraged me to finally seek answers for why I struggle in school and hopefully provide an official diagnosis.

I hope the committee can understand that my low GPA does not reflect my work ethic. I came into XXX as a math major because it was my favorite subject back in high school but realized quickly that it proved to be harder at the college level. Although I haven't yet declared my major, if I'm readmitted, I plan to major in sociology, a major that allows me to delve into my interest of understanding how groups of people interact while also being a broad enough major to either go into the medical field or social work. It is something I've always been interested in pursuing and if given another chance, I believe that I could show you my true potential. If I am readmitted to XXX, I will continue to utilize the schools resources by going to therapy and getting psychiatric treatment for my anxiety and depression, along with this newly found scholarship I will be getting officially tested for my learning disorder, and meet with the schools college counselors to help with class planning and time management. I will also continue to utilize the schools tutoring sessions to get help with my academics. Apart from the school's resources, on my own, I plan to plan out my studying time with planners and give more focus and attention to my studies.

Thank you for taking the time to read my appeal and giving me this opportunity to explain my circumstances.