Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Somtochukwu Prince-Agbodjan
20354470
August 27th 2024

Dear Sir/Mam,

I am writing to formally request the late drop of STAT 263, which I took during the Fall 2023 semester. Unfortunately, due to significant extenuating circumstances related to my mental health, I was unable to process the need to drop the course before the deadline.

During the Fall 2023 semester, I experienced severe mental health challenges that profoundly affected my academic performance and overall well-being. These issues began in early October 2023, when I started to feel overwhelming anxiety and depression. By mid-November, my condition had deteriorated to the point where I struggled to perform basic daily tasks, let alone keep up with my academic responsibilities.

As a result of these mental health challenges, I found myself increasingly isolated and unable to make sound decisions regarding my coursework. The stress and anxiety I was experiencing clouded my judgment, and I was unable to recognize the impact that continuing in STAT 263 was having on my academic standing. This emotional turmoil also impaired my ability to assess the appropriateness of dropping the course before the deadline, as I was lost and unable to process the situation fully.

The severity of my mental health struggles had a direct and detrimental impact on my performance in STAT 263. Despite my best efforts, I was unable to keep up with the course material, attend classes regularly, or complete assignments on time. This resulted in a final grade of F, which does not accurately reflect my abilities or potential as a student.

In an attempt to rectify the situation, I enrolled in an alternative STAT course, STAM 200, during the Summer 2024 term, which I completed with a grade of D. While this grade allowed me to replace the F in my GPA, the mental health issues that plagued me during Fall 2023 continued to hinder my ability to perform at my best.

I have been actively working to address my mental health challenges to ensure that they do not continue to impact my academic performance. I have sought professional help and am now receiving ongoing therapy and support. Additionally, I am implementing strategies to better manage stress and anxiety, which I am confident will improve my academic abilities moving forward.

Given the timeline and severity of my extenuating circumstances, I respectfully request that the committee grant my petition to drop STAT 263 from my transcript. I believe that the grade of F does not accurately represent my academic abilities and that dropping the course will allow me to move forward without the undue burden of this grade affecting my GPA.

I have included a medical note that outlines the impact of my mental health issues during the Fall 2023 semester, confirming the severity of my condition and its effect on my academic performance.

Thank you for your time and consideration of my petition. I sincerely hope that you will grant this request so that I can continue my studies with a clear mind and a focus on academic success.

Yours Sincerely,

Somtochukwu Prince-Agbodjan,
20354470