Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Members of the Board of Studies,

I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to sincerely request your understanding and kindness in waiving the one-year deadline/requirement to apply for a credit standing from my grades 9 years ago as an Art Science Kinesiology Student. I believe that my extenuating circumstances and personal growth demonstrate that my previous academic performance does not accurately reflect the student I have become today.

To provide some context, my first attempt at Queen's University was 9 years ago in the Kinesiology Program. Unfortunately, during that time I experienced a severe concussion and grappled with various health issues, in addition to untreated mental health conditions. I think it is beneficial to know that I have since been diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome as well as mental health disorders such as ADHD, PTSD, Anxiety, and others. I have actively sought and continue to receive appropriate treatment and support for these conditions and have developed the skills necessary to succeed.

Looking back, I realize that I was not adequately prepared for the challenges of university at that time and the grades I obtained then do not reflect the determined and capable student I am today. I am now pursuing a BHSc degree, and I have developed a strong passion for fields such as Occupational Therapy and potentially even Medicine. I would like to apply to competitive programs like a master's in OT once I've completed my degree. These programs have competitive admission requirements, so it is very important that my grades are up to par. I have worked hard so far and am proud of my current academic standing. However, many of my previous Kinesiology courses overlap with my Health Sciences curriculum and poses a significant challenge in terms of course availability and my GPA. By applying for credit standing for my Kinesiology courses, I can ensure that these grades do not adversely impact my current GPA and negatively impact my ability to reach my goals.

I understand that the deadline for applying for credit standing has passed, so I am kindly requesting an exception to be made in my case. It wasn't until my return to Queens that I became aware that my previous degree would impact my current GPA. I had an appointment with an Art Science Academic Advisor who brought the credit standing option/process to my attention. The extenuating circumstances I faced during my initial attempt at university had a significant impact on my academic performance, my confidence and self-identity. It took a lot of work to be able to come back and face the disappointment of failure and embarrassment I had felt. Nonetheless, I have learned a lot since then and have taken proactive steps to address these challenges which included seeking professional healthcare and counselling and I have shown remarkable growth and resilience since then. Likewise, I am already performing exceptionally well academically in my current studies. I strongly believe that the opportunity to apply for a credit standing will not only alleviate the burden and stress of my program overlap and GPA, but also provide a fair representation of my capabilities as a student today. I am very determined to achieve my academic goals and this waiver would greatly support my journey.

I genuinely appreciate your time, consideration, and the opportunity to present my case. Your understanding and support would have a great impact on my academic future and my ability to reach my aspirations.

Thank you kindly,

Alexis Mclean
10097976