|
|
|
|
|
Q: I was dismissed from a masters program due to failure to meet academic expectations set forth in the clinical portion. I appealed the faculty's decision to the department chair on grounds that I was feeling anxious/depressed and not in the right place..but have since taken care of myself and feel determined to succeed. Since the faculty followed department policy, I was required to appeal to the dean of the college--- I provided documentation from my therapist, and a written appeal. I asked to meet in person, but have just received a letter stating that my appeal was denied and that I have the option of re-applying after one year.
At this point, I am willing to appeal to a higher level in the university. I have a few questions regarding this process:
1) Given the information above, what is the best office to contact? What is best to ask?
2) What are my chances of a successful appeal (realistically)?
3) How could an attorney help me in the process, if it came down to it?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I've been here, in a way, and I'm going to tell you to put the brakes on.
I was in a university program and ended up failing out because of mental health issues. I spent a few years putting myself back together, presented my case to the department and was denied. I know the kind of white-hot rage that comes with something like that, and the sense of injustice. I'm going to tell you now that they're not wrong.
The university would be putting a lot of work into you, as a graduate student. They need to know that you're going to be okay. While a doctor's note should be enough, they have no proof that you're ready for the pressure again.
Having gone through this a couple of years ago and come out the other side, they are absolutely right. You haven't tested yourself. You'd be going from zero to 100 without any intermediate steps. If I'd tried to go back to school immediately, I would have crashed and burned. Instead, I worked for a few years, overcame a few hiccups and got to a point where I can be back in school (not the same program) and doing well again.
I am just about 99.5% certain that there's nobody else you can go to. At my university, there wasn't, unless it was a civil rights violation, which it wasn't. Bringing in a lawyer is one of the worst things you could do, because it would label you as the litigious person.
Life can go on hold for a little while. It's not the end of the world if you have to put your masters degree off for a bit while you jump through some hoops, or even if you have to switch your life plans around altogether. Unless you're 99 years old with one foot in the grave, you have time. Use this opportunity to make sure that you'll be 100% ready for next year.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thanks so much, I completely agree with you. I will use this time to gain practical experience and remediate the weaknesses that got me here in the first place. I still want to talk to the dean about reapplying in a year to this and other programs, in the (very) likely event that this is the last step in the appeals process.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
bio
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
My Personal Forum
My name is Amanda and I'm 26 years old. I'm currently studying electrical engineering. Armed with a fairly odd sense of humour and a sunny outlook on life, I'll take on just about anything. I'm also cussedly stubborn, which has its ups and downs. Things get tough sometimes, and I've never been one to run from it.
In my last 8 years with Advicenators, I've gone from honours student to failing out of university (and getting back on top again!), from single to married, from tenant to homeowner.
Until lately, I have been struggling with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder and OCD, which had basically ruined my life and taken just about everything from me. I'm thankful every day for every experience I've had because of this ordeal, because it's helped to make me who I am today. Things like that really make you appreciate what you do have. Now that I'm back in work and school and starting to become myself again, I couldn't be happier. I credit Advicenators with saving my life back when I was a teenager, which is a big part of why I'm still here.
I won't necessarily give you the answers you want to hear, but I'll always be honest and do my best to help.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Info
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gender: Female Location: Ontario, Canada Occupation: Student Age: 26 Member Since: February 14, 2006 Answers: 2207 Last Update: September 26, 2016 Visitors: 92425
Main Categories:
Favorite Columnists
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|