Having Academic Difficulties?

Need a Letter?

Some students come to the University Counseling and Testing Center requesting a letter of support to be sent to an instructor or another university department or office because they are not doing well in one or more classes. They would like for us to provide a letter that verifies that the student has personal problems that may have interfered with their academic performance. Sometimes personal problems do interfere with one’s ability to concentrate on academic work. Although our counselors want to be supportive of students’ academic efforts,counselors cannot confirm difficulties about which they have no prior information or knowledge.

If students have not participated in counseling at the Counseling and Testing Center other than to participate in an initial assessment (e.g., during drop-in hours) or a crisis intervention session, we can only provide a letter that states that the student attended a single, initial session at the Counseling and Testing Center on a specific date and that the session was not a comprehensive psychological evaluation. The letter also states that the counselor is not making a recommendation about the student’s academic status or mental health status, but is only confirming attendance for one session.

We strongly encourage students to seek assistance early, before personal problems interfere substantially with their academic progress. Counselors are more likely to be able to write a supportive letter if a student has been participating in ongoing counseling. Please talk with your counselor if you are experiencing personal difficulties that you believe are negatively affecting your academic performance.

 

Adapted with permission from Texas A&M University Student Counseling Service