Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Hi,

I'm writing to request approval to take additional credits this upcoming summer term. I’d like to explain my situation in detail, as this is very important to both my academic progress and personal circumstances.

When I was planning my studies last winter, I had mapped out a path to take CISC 324, CISC 325, and CISC 322 in Winter 2025, with a few additional courses planned for the following summer. At that time, I believed this would allow me to stay on track to complete my degree within five years. However, I received updates from the Faculty that made it clear I wouldn’t be able to take as many courses as I had originally planned, and that I would definitely need to enter a sixth year.

What I didn’t anticipate was how challenging and time-consuming it would be to complete a summer course through the ILOP program. I enrolled in CISC 235 as part of my summer plan and successfully completed the coursework. Unfortunately, I wasn’t going to be able to write my final exam until April of this year, which was much later than expected. As a result, my final grade wasn’t available in time to meet the prerequisites for CISC 322, CISC 324, and CISC 325 this winter.

Because of that delay, I was not allowed to register in those courses for Winter 2025. On top of that, the updated policy that limits students to a maximum of 6.0 units taken outside of Queen’s has made it even more difficult for me to catch up on credits. Now, I'm facing the real possibility of having to extend into a sixth year, which I was hoping to avoid at all costs.

I want to be honest about the pressure I’m under. I’m an international student, and the rising cost of living here in Kingston is having a serious impact on my family. I’ve already had to move to housing near West Campus, where rent is about $500 less per month compared to living closer to the main campus. Every additional semester I stay in school adds a financial burden, and it’s becoming harder for my family to manage.

I’m doing my best to stay positive and focused, but it has been very stressful. I’ve been struggling with both physical and mental health challenges as I try to balance everything—school, finances, and my future. Despite everything, I’m still fully committed to completing my degree, and my goal is to graduate no later than Fall 2026.

To make that happen, I absolutely need to take CISC 324, CISC 325, and CISC 322 this summer, and potentially one more course to increase my earned credits and get back on track. I understand that taking more than the standard credit load over the summer is not usually permitted without special approval, which is why I’m reaching out to you with this request.

Please consider allowing me to take the extra credits this summer. I’m willing to put in the work, and I truly believe this is the best path forward for me. I understand the importance of following academic policies, but I’m hoping that, given the circumstances, some flexibility might be possible in my case.

Also, with the ILOP and LOP deadlines quickly approaching, I would be extremely grateful if this request could be reviewed and processed as soon as possible. Being able to take these courses this summer would mean the world to me and would help me avoid the financial and academic strain of a sixth year.

Thank you very much for your time and understanding. I really appreciate your support.

Sincerely,
YUNZHE XIE