Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Petition #1 Letter – Request to Waive One-Year Deadline
Francesca Amato
20123015
Bachelor of Arts
August 2025
Dear Associate Dean,
I am writing to formally petition for an exception to the one-year deadline to request the removal of courses from my academic record. I am seeking permission to submit a late petition on the grounds of significant extenuating circumstances that rendered me unable to act within the original deadline.
Over the past year, I have faced severe and overlapping health challenges that greatly impacted both my academic performance and my ability to manage deadlines or administrative processes. I have been under the continuous care of several healthcare professionals, including my social worker, registered nurse, family doctor, and psychiatrist, who have documented the extent and timeline of these issues.
In early 2024, I was diagnosed with persistent depressive disorder with major depressive episodes, anxiety, and ADHD, in addition to ongoing physical health concerns including menorrhagia, dysmenorrhea, and severe sleep apnea. These conditions led to overwhelming fatigue, cognitive distortions such as brain fog and memory impairment, and significant emotional distress. As a result, I found myself unable to attend classes consistently, complete coursework, or manage academic deadlines. At times, I struggled with even basic daily functioning, making it impossible to meet the petition deadline.
During this period, I was simultaneously managing untreated symptoms and mental and physical ailments that profoundly disrupted my ability to focus and keep up with academic and administrative responsibilities. My support team has confirmed that these extenuating circumstances persisted well beyond the one-year timeframe, preventing me from taking timely action to submit a petition.
Now, with treatment, therapy, and medical supports in place, I am making progress. I have established a care plan that includes regular therapy sessions, ongoing medical follow-up, and consistent use of prescribed medications. These interventions have stabilized my mental and physical health and placed me in a much better position to engage in my academic commitments.
Granting me the opportunity to submit a petition beyond the one-year deadline would allow me to demonstrate my true academic potential, unclouded by the severe health barriers I was experiencing at that time. This step would not only provide equitable accommodation given the circumstances but would also support my path toward successful degree completion.
Thank you very much for your time, understanding, and consideration of my petition. I have attached letters of support from my healthcare providers, which substantiate the timeline and severity of my extenuating circumstances. I would be grateful for the opportunity to move forward with Petition #2 should this initial request be approved.
All the best,
Francesca Amato
20123015