My last measure...

[RWB]

Well, fight to not take a certain course for a third time has come down to it's last strings. Beyond this email, I don't know what else I can do. I would like for you guys and gals to check it out and point out errors and give suggestions if you please.

****************************************
Dear Sir,


I was recently told that I would have to retake Interactive Media Design for a third time. I, however, do not feel that a third time is nessesary. I have tried to explain to Steve *******, that I do understand the code, and feel confident that I know it better than the majority who have passed the class. Originally, I agreed to retake the course for a second time feeling that I could learn more, despite having to leave my original class mates and spending an extra two months in living expenses. I felt it was worth it, and still feel the same. I will not neglect my own education, effort, and money spent coming to this school. I will do what it takes to learn the material, this is why I am here.

As you may know, I tried to explain the code for my 3rd project to Steve. When he felt it wasn't good enough, I came in for an hour and thirty minutes to rebuild a project of his making. I know I didn't rebuild the project completely, and without proper resources, I was unable to recall all the nessesary information to finish the job. Had this been my own project that I could work on in a real world situation I would have been more than capable of finishing the project. But simply because I cannot recall every detail needed, I failed.

For example; I have been working with web pages for many years, yet I cannot tell you every detail of simple HTML code at any given time. But with my resources I have been able to build HTML pages that also include PHP, SQL, and Java script. In a real world situation, you have resources at your disposal, and using those resources you're able to get the job done. I would never tell anyone that I am or ever will be a wiz at coding, but I do enjoy it. I enjoy it so much that I have taken on personal projects in hopes to build my own game some day, I have been attempting to teach myself C++, and it will be a long road, but I will get it done. I tell you this so that you may understand me and why I feel that taking this class for a third time is unnessesary. Taking this course for a third time will not help me any further, I am confident in myself and my abilities to further myself. The only way I will learn more is by experience and experience alone.

Thank you sir,


Chris Sklenarik

[RWB]

I blanked out a name, for his good.

[qparadox]

These are all just suggestions. I have a very specific writing style I like and you may not like it. Feel free to take the advice from below that you like and discard the rest. I won't be offended at all :). Some of the comments might be way off base because I don't know the specific audience for the appeal.

General Comments:

Second paragraph: " When he felt it wasn't good enough," I feel you should explain what you exactly mean by it. Was "it" the code that wasn't good enough or was it your ability to explain it that made him think you had not understood the material? This is an important distinction and I do find myself getting lost in your argument because I'm not sure what you mean.

Third Paragraph:

I don't like how the third paragraph starts with "For example." It'd be more normal form to start with some sort of point that's hooked from the last paragraph and then give examples. Something like:"

"From my experience in programming, I know that even after many successful projects, a good resource / reference (your pick) is often essential to remember the finer points of a language that may be easily forgotten. For example; I have been working with web pages for many years, yet I cannot tell you every detail of simple HTML code at any given time. But with my resources I have been able to build HTML pages that also include PHP, SQL, and Java script. In a real world situation, you have resources at your disposal, and using those resources you're able to get the job done. "

The part about C++, not being a wiz and the game programming doesn't flow well with the start of the paragraph. You may be better off sticking the above part as part of the 2nd paragraph and then having the third paragraph focus on how you're doing things outside school to improve yourself / teaching yourself. In all honesty your references / resources argument is the strongest thing you have going for you and you probably want to save it for last.

Side note:
I deal with school administrators every day as I sit on our departmental Undergraduate Curriculum Committee. These people won't be swayed by emotional appeals but rather good facts with solid analysis and logical conclusions that they can at least somewhat agree with.

Anal note:
You probably want to work in "references" instead of "resources" where appropriate as resources feels a little over-used but its not a big deal. Resources in this case seems a little on the vague side, but if its the common terminology in your school go with it.


Grammar changes:

2nd paragraph last sentence:
...But simply because I could not recall every detail needed, I failed. (need to be consistent on tenses)

I'll try to look at this more tomorrow while @ work but for tonight I really need some sleep.

[RWB]

Thanks for your help, I put your comments and those from others outside this site to good use in rebuilding a more formal and proper email to the head of my Program. I hope he understands that I am not just one of these students who think that by simply coming to this school I will get an education and a job, those are the types of people who start sites like fullsailsucks.com and others that have followed in thier ignorance. I hope he understands that I AM here to learn, but not to be held back by some nut case who thinks he is some kind of special ops commander and that a 66% failure rate is unnacceptable.

I am confident I will get this all fixed, if not, I don't know what else I can do but to appeal for taking this class free of charge and use the extra time to work on my portfolio. If I cannot take the course free of charge, then I cannot graduate, I simply cannot afford it.

[Clutch]

So what if you decide to not take the class for the third time? You just fail in getting that credit? The e-mail looks good, I would take qparadox's suggestions as well. If you were to take this class a third time, just keep everything really simple to show the teacher that you really do know everything, don't try to get a really big project together so that you might fall behind if something major were to happen if you aren't able to work on it for a week or so.

I will add you to my AIM list and chat with you off the forums if I see you online.

[RWB]

So what if you decide to not take the class for the third time? You just fail in getting that credit? The e-mail looks good, I would take qparadox's suggestions as well. If you were to take this class a third time, just keep everything really simple to show the teacher that you really do know everything, don't try to get a really big project together so that you might fall behind if something major were to happen if you aren't able to work on it for a week or so.

I will add you to my AIM list and chat with you off the forums if I see you online.

Well, I am at school alot, so if you see me and I don't reply, it's becuase I left my computer running at home.

Also, if I don't retake the course, I don't graduate... it's a requirement to pass ALL classes. The guy I sent the email to replied, he is at SIGRAPH in Los Angeles(wish I could have gone), either way... I may not know an answer for a while.

If I did have to retake the class, and find some way of being able to with money and crap, then I would just finish all my projects in a single day. I am pretty sure I would not only recreate the project my teacher is being an ass about, but I would also make it a hell of a lot better. But yeah, my plan is to not waist anymore time in that class, get it all done quickly, so that I could use the time I am paying for in a better way.

What's the worse part of having to retake? Having to listen to his lectures all over again, not only that, but knowing that the jerk is holding me back in what I feel is highly immoral. He claims that there is no stupid questions, or that you shouldn't be affraid of him putting you on the spot... but that is EXACTLY what he does. It's as if he is always pissed, but he claims that he can't help but "appear" that way. He knows this crap, and by telling you bull**** stories, he seemingly gets away with his tragic jokes and attitude.

Anyways, it looks like a 14 hour day today, gotta go into another lab after I finish this one to continue working on my game for RT3D... IT'S GONNA BE SWEET! Even my tree's are awsome.... :thumbsup: I am most proud of the tree I made yesterday, 25m tall, and farw away there are no tiling issues, AT ALL... yet you can walk right up to it and see no pixelization. ;) Trying to do teh same with my terrain.