Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter:
Hello Arts and Science Petition Committee,

I’m writing to request to increase the number of credits I can take while studying abroad on an ILOP. During my January 2026 study abroad term, I am requesting to take the equivalent of 15 credits rather than the policy limit of 6.0.

Studying abroad has always been a goal of mine, even since high school, and I have been looking forward to it my whole time as a Queen’s student. I was sorely disappointed to learn this summer that I was waitlisted for my study abroad choices. I am encouraged to continue to go after my goal and am grateful for this opportunity to petition for a full course load while away. I plan to complete a full course load equivalent to 15.0 units while abroad. I believe this experience will be an incredible opportunity for academic growth and cultural exploration, immersing myself into the culture. I have some strong connections in Barcelona that I believe would really support my transition and help me fully engage with local life - making the most of the exchange both inside and outside the classroom. Several years ago, my family hosted an exchange student from Barcelona, and our families have become close friends. Being able to have a personal connection in the city, while still immersing myself in the culture, would be a significant boost to my experience.

I do not intend to slow my progress toward my BAH at Queen’s while studying abroad. I built my third year schedule based on the idea that I will be studying abroad for term 2 starting in January 2026. My first term at Queen’s (term 1 Fall 2025), I am taking as many core courses as possible including ECON 255, ECON 322, and ECON 231. This leaves my academic plan (submitted separately) in place for my study abroad term as well as my final year at Queen’s when I will complete my remaining upper year requirements.

At the Universitat de Barcelona, the university I will submit for my ILOP, I have the option to take the following courses to satisfy this plan: Econometrics I, Economic Growth, and Comparative Economic Policy, and Political Analysis and the Spanish Political System. These courses are all 3rd and 4th year courses and will fit neatly into my requirements for my BAH. My plan follows the degree requirements for Applied Economics and gives me the option to even complete the Certificate in Business, another goal of mine. I hope you will see in my attached academic plan that I have thought through the pre-requisite courses that I need to match my plan to my goal of finishing my BAH in May 2027. As much as possible, I identified when required courses have been and likely will be scheduled to match my plan.

Short of being accepted on exchange, I believe I have done everything I can to ensure I am as successful as possible in matching my interests, degree plan, and study abroad choices. I have selected a study abroad university that has a highly rigorous and reputable Economics degree. I thought through every foreseeable aspect of my academic plan and engaged with the advice from Arts Advising in building that plan. I selected a location in the world that offers the right mix of exciting cultural immersion and insider connections to deepen that experience.

I look forward to your response. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,
Harrison Macdougall
20398858
22qfqn@queensu.ca
7789875107