Readmission after being kicked out of program

[HistoryBritt]

I got a second C in my program and that is a no no as far continuing in my MA department. I tried to contest the grade as I do believe it was unwarranted. (There is no grade appeal process) But nevertheless here I am ousted from my program and I am reeling as to what to do.

 

Here's what I don't want:

-to transfer to another program

-to lose all of the credits that I already have

 

Here's what I want:

-to be readmitted in to my program in the fall

 

My advisor, C grading professor, and the graduate coordinator have all suggested that I may just need this time off due to my father's death last year as well as my social anxiety problem. But the insinuation that I got from my conversations with them was more about finding another program all together

 

On top of my "what am I going to do next" issues there are pride issues.I am still in town and I am taking a course as a non-degree seeking student. I already am not friends with people in my program and embarresment about my situation is most likely how I will feel after explaining why they (my cohort) only see me in one class. Though I am not friends with anyone, they are all still "friendly," but I can hear them now "Did you hear so-and-so got kicked out of the program with only a semester left?" I can't avoid them because I have a class with some of them and  will also be seeing some of them at a conference in a few months.

 

What should my story be? Should I tell people the whole truth? Should I just saying I am taking a leave of absence? And overall how do I let my department know that I ultimately would like to be readmitted so that I can finish the program?

 

Hope I made sense!

 

 

 

 

[Meanyus]

As awful as it is to hear, it sounds like they are gently trying to tell you that you are not going to be readmitted. I know you said it's not what you want, but I think they are trying to tell you to focus your energy on another program.

 

As far as what to tell people, the truth doesn't hurt. You got a C in one class, every grad student knows that is a death sentence. Tell them you're hoping there is something you can do about it and you are biding your time until that decision is made.

[HistoryBritt]

Meanyus---I did not tell them my intentions of possibly being readmitted. I don't know if that is something they just don't do or didn't think of as an option.

[St Andrews Lynx]

I would discuss with your supervisor the possibility of taking the leave of absence and returning, especially if that's an option that they've presented you with. Ask them directly if they believe you should stay in the program. You've described "insinuations" that they think you should leave, but that might be something you're projecting onto them, or that might not be their intention. Until you talk honestly about it you don't know.

 

I know your pride has been hurt as well as all the other things you are feeling. But honestly it might be best for your dignity in the long-term (if they tell you that you should leave the program altogether) that you accept their recommendation and calmly walk away. There's no pride in begging or desperation, especially if the faculty don't really want you in the program.  At least that way you're in control of the decision to leave, not the other way around. And you can tell people that you decided not to continue the program, rather than them kicking you out.

 

Hope things work out OK for you!