Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: To share some context about why I am applying through ILOP, during my second year at Queen's University, I was interested in specializing in Environmental Toxicology. The prospect of delving into the intricacies of environmental issues and the effects of toxins excited me, and I eagerly enrolled in the relevant courses.

During the early stages of the academic year, I enjoyed my courses. The material was intellectually stimulating, and felt I was on the right path toward pursuing my educational and career goals. However, as the year progressed, life outside the classroom took an unforeseen toll on my overall well-being.

One of the significant challenges I faced during my second year was the living situation in my new house. Sharing a residence with seven other individuals brought about many interpersonal challenges. The constant conflicts and tensions among us had a detrimental impact on my mental health. The anxiety and depression I experienced began to take a toll on my daily life to the extent that I often found myself secluded to my room, unable to face the outside world.

As I grappled with these negative emotions, I realized that prioritizing my mental health was paramount. It was a tough decision, but I chose to drop the organic chemistry course and withdraw from my Toxicology specialization. I believed that reducing my course load might provide me the respite I needed to navigate this challenging phase of my life.

I understood how important it was to put my mental health first. I had to decide to leave the organic chemistry class and drop out of the Toxicology specialization. Taking fewer classes could give me a break to get through this trying time.

However, the challenges didn't end there. In late October through December, I started experiencing severe physical health issues. Living with epilepsy, I was no stranger to the occasional seizure, but the heightened stress and sleep deprivation during this period exacerbated my condition. Over those two months, I suffered not one but two seizures, one occurring just before my Biology 102 exam and one happened after my Biology 243.


A seizure's aftermath was physically exhausting. For several days, I suffered horrible headaches and body aches, making attending classes and keeping up with my assignments much harder. Particularly, Biology 102 and Biology 243 proved to be challenging courses, and once I went behind, making up became a difficult process. My grades began to suffer as I had initially entered my second year with high hopes.

As I move forward, I am committed to rebuilding my academic foundation and overcoming the challenges that life may throw my way. I am working with my doctors at VGH and other experts to ensure my mental and physical health are a priority and can be supported while I pursue my degree and career ambitions. With perseverance and a renewed sense of purpose, I am confident that I will ultimately achieve my goals in Environmental Science and study abroad in Sydney.