In danger of losing scholarships...

[fitnesschika]

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Hi everyone, I am an avid lurker and finally joined today. I find this board very informative, and I think some of you may be able to offer advice to me in this serious dilemma I am facing.

I received several scholarships to attend the school that I am currently enrolled in. I am not in danger of losing all scholarships, but am in danger of losing one because I failed to maintain a 3.0 GPA. I am just finishing up my freshman year. The first semester I finished up with a 2.87, I had 1 B+, two Bs, and one C+. So I was put on probation. Spring semester just ended, and I finish with 1 A-, 1 B+, 2 Bs, and 1 C. One of those 'B's was not factored into my GPA because it was a remedial math course. So it was excluded. My final GPA is a 2.88 🙁 I have the opportunity to appeal their decision of discontinuing my scholarships if I can provide an explanation as to why I fell below a 3.0 and provide a plan on improving my grades for Fall 2010.

The truth is, I had no hardships nor personal family crisis that interfered with my studies. I am not a party person (I went out I think 3 times the first semester and twice the second semester). I had an A in the class all semester that I received a B+ in the spring, I must not have done well on the final, which brought my grade down. The class that I received a "C" in was Preparatory Chemistry. The teacher was an adjunct, and he assigned homework only twice the entire semester. With no homework assignments to keep me accountable, I never made time to work out problems on my own because I was so consumed with Biology and Math (both of which I received "B"s in). I know that was not good time management on my part, and the grade I received reflects that 🙁 I received a C+ in Biology the first semester, and managed a B the second semester, so there was a bit of an upward trend there.

What can I say in my letter to the Financial Aid office as reasons for my falling below a 3.0? I know I can't blame the teachers, (even if my Chem teacher truly sucked!) but I am at a loss. I am not a bad kid, and I really study hard, I just don't think school comes as natural to me as others.

Throughout the spring semester, my Biology teacher said to me several times that she really noticed how I had improved drastically when compared to the fall semester (I had made some major major changes in how I studied for biology). Perhaps a supportive letter from her would help my case? I just don't know what is deemed appropriate or inappropriate in this issue.

I would also like to mention that I never missed a single biology tutor session the entire year, and there are computer records to show. I went to math tutoring as I needed (I had an A- in my math class through the semester until the final, I didn't score as high as I needed, so I got bumped down to a B, but that doesn't matter since it was not factored in my GPA). As for chem tutoring, the only tutoring session available was during the evening that I had a night class, so that hurt me as well.

All my teachers liked me, and I know they would all say positive things about me if I needed to get them involved.

I would really appreciate all of your help and advice! Thanks!
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[Web MD]

I guess you could go for the whole "I had trouble adjusting to collegiate life" thing but it's pretty cliche'. Definitely don't say that there are really no extenuating circumstances, your grades just weren't good enough - that'll get your scholarship pulled in a heartbeat. Mention some bs about having to discover your own personal study habits, your first C+ was devastating to you and left you emotionally fragile, it took time for you to figure out how college lectures/note taking/supplemental instruction worked etc. Good luck

 

[aker321]

I don't think it's bull**** to say that you realized your study habits needed to change and that you're working very hard on that so you can better manage your time and study more effectively, etc. Write that in your letter, see if you can get a letter of support from the teacher, and then DO THAT.

You need to recognize that even if your chem teacher assigned only 2 homework assignments, that doesn't mean you can say that you didn't have any work to do. It's your responsibility in college classes--ESPECIALLY after freshman year--to do work on your own. You do not get the hand-holding you had in high school. It is not a sufficient excuse to say that your teacher didn't give you enough homework. You are responsible for that grade.

See if your school has tutors or resources that are for academic success (not just subject-specific content tutoring). You'll be amazed at the difference it can make to study more effectively.

Good luck!

 

[Web MD]

I'm not saying it's bs because it isn't true or doesn't happen, but in this case if they awarded you a merit based scholarship I'm pretty sure they expected you to already anticipate all of the challenges I just mentioned ahead of time, so like I said it might sound cliche' to them but it's still your best bet. Unless you're cool with faking some deep emotional family drama? Either one sounds like a decent shot

 

[d1ony5u5]

Ouch, OP... Ok, not to pour salt on your wounds, but those grades require some attention, ASAP!

What where the scholarships given for? It would be a little difficult, as mentioned above, to argue not enough preparation if they are merit based.

Seriously, if you don't go out all the time, and didn't have any personal trouble during the year, it seems to me that you really are just having trouble adjusting to the pace of university life! That or you have some chemical dependence you have not mentioned...

Look: seriously, college is much different from high school. The hand holding already discussed, the almost unbridled freedom, the decreased family support (unless you live at home and commute) are all reasons that make life in college completely different. The way you have exposed your problem, I'd say it is a mild case of taking a while to adjust to your new life. And at least you are not flunking out. You have a 2.88 when you need a 3.0. I think you could make the "adjusting" argument successfully in this situation. Get the letter from your teacher, tell them what you told here (minus the "no real problems in my life" part. Just don't mention that) and point out that you were 0.12 away from making the progress they consider satisfactory. Then go on to pledge more effort on your study habits, and if you feel it absolutely necessary, include a plea telling them how losing the scholarship would severely cripple your finances and those of your family...

And just pound away at your study skills!

Good luck.

 

[ThaliaNox]

It sounds like your problem is at least partially motivation. In college, it is not uncommon for the grade for a class to be based only on a midterm and a final. Almost all of my med school classes are based like this, with 90+% of the points coming from tests, with the other points coming from quizzes.

Perhaps consider assigning yourself homework. Teachers in numberically based classes usually recommend certain problems from the text, even if they don't ever look at your answers. Textbooks almost always have a companion answer guide for these questions with extensive answer explanations and step-by-step answers. Try to do these problems before you come to tutoring, so that your tutor can focus only on those areas that give you particular trouble. All of this can be outlined in your letter as ways you're planning on getting your grades up. It sucks that they're thinking of pulling your scholarships, but remember that you need to hold up your end of the deal as well. This isn't just about them letting you keep your scholarships right now, it is also about really getting your grades up.

 

[fitnesschika]

thanks everyone for their replies! You have all been very helpful.

To answer some of the questions, these scholarships were merit and need based. Like someone mentioned, I think I just had trouble balancing everything. And no I have no chemical dependences, just a boyfriend and I am an avid gym rat, but I very rarely chose them over studying (I refrain from using 'never' since there probably was a time or two throughout the entire year, but the point is that I was not more focused on them than on my studies).

Thank you everyone for your input, and I hope others will contribute. I will integrate all of your suggestions into a convincing letter, and hopefully have things fall in my favor.