Letter of Appeal

To:
Jose Maria Edito K. Tirol
Director
Office of Admission and Aid
Ateneo de Manila University

From:
Kent Emmanue C. Soria
4TH Yr, BS APS-MSE

Dear Dr. Tirol,

I would like to explain my academic performance for the first semester of my fourth
year here in the Ateneo. Firstly, I would like to assure you that in obtaining those
grades, I did the utmost that I could. I know it deep in my heart that I did not become
lazy nor lax this semester. If I may quote Kant whom I took up this semester, “A good
will is not good because of what it effects or accomplishes, it is good in itself.”

Firstly, I would like to state that my Research and Electromagnetics II grades

increased. From the second semester of my 3rd year, I got a measly C in my thesis
because my professor did not think I had the necessary equipment to measure
pressure under a heap of sand. My panelists even panned me for this. I proved them
wrong this semester, so I built the equipment myself. This time, I got a B+ and my
thesis advisor seems to keep praising me for it, even calling me his ‘most improved
student’. During the same semester, I got a measly D in Electromagnetics 1, one of
the lowest in a class of 21. This semester, I raised my EM 2 grade to a C+, having
the 4th highest grade in class behind 2 genius merit scholars and an advanced math
taker.

I would like to explain why I got a D in Philosophy. To be honest, getting this grade
was a disappointment for me. If memory serves me right, my first two Philosophy
classes (101 and 102) gave me an A and a B+. My Philo 104 was quite different
however. All submissions were group submissions. I did the papers that were usually
short 2 pages and I relied on my groupmates to edit it, as I was confident in my
writing skills. I trusted them to edit the papers properly and to submit it. However, it
was only nearing the end of the semester did I realized that their definition of ‘editing’
was ‘removing’ certain parts, some of which were unfortunately, the most important
in the essays.
I would like to explain why I got a grade of _ in Quantum mechanics. The subject
was the hardest that I ever took. The teacher was also new and I did not expect that
the ‘formula sheet’ that she would give would not contain all the equations. I was
also overwhelmed by the sheert amount of formulas that I needed to

I would like to say that I tried to do my best in my duty in my capacity as a student

and a scholar. I am hoping for your kind understanding for these results. As a
scholar, I am aware of the responsibilities that is connected to the privileges Ateneo
has been so kind to give me. Thank you very much and more power.

Sincerely,

Kent Emmanuel C. Soria

4- BS APS-MSE