Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to appeal for your understanding and compassion regarding my request to drop the course BIO103, even though the course drop date has passed. I sincerely hope you will consider my situation with empathy and compassion. It has been my dream since grade 9 to pursue the Bio-Psych program at Queen's. The prospect of studying at this university has been a driving force behind my educational aspirations.
However, a series of badly timed illnesses severely impacted my ability to perform to my full potential in BIO103, leaving me with no other choice but to make this late request to drop the course. Throughout the semester, I faced a significant health setback, which resulted in me being unable to attend several tutorials, mere attendance at which was worth 32% of the overall grade. My illness was on going for over a month and left me bed ridden, unable to attend lectures and other tutorials. I did not want to endanger my peers or teachers with my illness and decided to stay home and get healthy. Prior to that time, I was on track to do well. To continue on to the Bio-Psych program I would have needed to obtain a C letter grade and a minimum 2.7 GPA. With having missed the tutorials, I would have needed to get an almost perfect grade on my exam, which I knew was something I would not have been able to do without negatively impacting my other exams and course grades. I sent notified my TA and requested for make-up tutorials, but the BIOL103 team declined my request so I felt this was my next best option moving forward. This course, now having finished with an F on my transcript, is severally impacting my GPA, and I believe it is not an accurate representation of my academic capabilities and I would like to try again. Please see attached a letter from my family doctor vouching for my illness. The illness and the missed tutorials made it nearly impossible for me to recover progress in the course and contribute in the tutorials as I know I can. Moreover, because I suffer from anxiety and a panic disorder, the increasing sense of futility made it essentially impossible for me to cope and focus on BIO103.
Because of my illness and having missed the tutorials, I made a considered decision not to take the exam and instead focus on my other courses and seek to repeat BIO103 from the beginning in my second year. My decision was based on my realization that regardless of the outcome on that exam, I would not have achieved a grade sufficient to secure my admission into the Bio-Psych program. Instead, I chose to prioritize my efforts on my other courses in the hope of repeating BIO103 this coming year, when I am in a better position to succeed.
I want to stress that this request to drop BIO103 after the course drop date is not something I take lightly. I find it particularly difficult and embarrassing to request this exception, as I firmly believe in the value of self-responsibility and accountability. However, I find myself in this unusual circumstance, where my health and academic capacity collided. I hope you consider the emotional weight and the deep sense of disappointment I feel in having to take this course of action. The Bio-Psych program remains my ultimate goal, and I am better prepared to succeed in the future.
I kindly request that you review my petition for a late course drop with compassion, understanding, and fairness. I am confident that, with your assistance, I will be able to realign my academic path and continue pursuing my aspirations within the Bio-Psych program at Queen's.
Thank you for considering my petition. I am happy to speak with you further to discuss my situation. As you would anticipate, I anxiously await your response.

Yours sincerely,

Selina Chalmers (20336492)