Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Appeal Letter: Dear Members of the Board of Studies,

I am writing to appeal the Associate Dean’s decision dated [insert date] regarding my Level One petition for Credit Standing in CISC 121 (Fall 2024). While I appreciate that my circumstances were considered, I respectfully submit that the decision was not reasonable, as it relied on outdated and incomplete documentation that did not accurately reflect the extent to which my mental health significantly impaired my academic performance during the term.

In the decision, the Associate Dean acknowledged the medical documentation I provided but concluded that it confirmed I was able to manage academics well and did not indicate academic impacts on attendance. This conclusion is unfortunately based on a document from the psychiatrist I saw during high school that was outdated and inaccurate by the time of the Fall 2024 term. At the time of petition, I did not realize that this document gave the impression that I was coping adequately with academics when, in fact, my condition was deteriorating. The result was that the decision was made on the basis of evidence that did not fully or fairly represent my situation.

Since then, I have obtained updated documentation from my psychiatrist, which clarifies my circumstances. This letter explicitly confirms that my mental health condition was moderate to severe, with substantial and debilitating impacts on my academic functioning,based on the psychiatrist meeting happened during fall term.Specifically, it identifies that my illness significantly affected my ability to attend classes consistently, complete coursework effectively, and perform at a level commensurate with my abilities. This evidence directly contradicts the interpretation in the Associate Dean’s letter that my condition did not impact my academic attendance or performance.

My updated documentation demonstrates precisely this: that my ability to succeed in CISC 121 was significantly impaired by factors beyond my control. By relying on incomplete and misleading evidence, the Associate Dean’s decision did not meet the standard of reasonableness, as it was not supported by the full facts available.

I understand the importance of maintaining the integrity of Arts and Science transcripts and the need for petitions to be supported by clear evidence. It is precisely for this reason that I am submitting updated medical documentation that directly supports my case and corrects the misunderstanding that occurred at the Level One petition stage.

For these reasons, I respectfully request that the Board of Studies overturn the Associate Dean’s decision and grant my petition for Credit Standing in CISC 121 (Fall 2024). I believe this is the fairest outcome given the documented and significant extenuating circumstances that affected my academic performance in this course.

Thank you for your time and consideration of my appeal.