Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean,

I am writing to formally request Credit Standing (CR) for three full-year courses I completed during my first year: MATH 110 (Linear Algebra), MATH 120 (Calculus), and PHYS 104 (Fundamental Physics).

My first year at Queen’s University was marked by extraordinary personal and medical hardships that severely compromised my academic performance. I have been battling a complex combination of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). These conditions were further exacerbated by persistent bullying I experienced within my residence, creating an environment where it was functionally impossible to pursue my academic goals effectively.

While I have been under the care of a psychiatrist at Queen's since December 2024, my condition did not see significant improvement until very recently. In December 2025, upon my psychiatrist's strong recommendation, I took a necessary medical leave to focus on stabilization and recovery.

I would like to address the documentation for my first year. While I do not possess a specific medical note dated from the 2024-2025 academic cycle, this is because I was, at the time, overwhelmed by the complexities of the medical system and the academic accommodation process. However, my current psychiatric assessments provide strong evidence that these chronic conditions were present and debilitating during my first year. As these are long-term mental health challenges, it is medically logical that the severity documented in my recent leave also defined my earlier academic struggles.

Furthermore, I would like to note that the Board of Studies has already approved a request for Credit Standing for another of my first-year courses based on these same grounds. For the sake of academic consistency and to accurately reflect my circumstances, I respectfully ask that the same consideration be extended to MATH 110, MATH 120, and PHYS 104.

Securing these Credit Standings is vital for my academic recovery as I prepare to return from my medical leave and successfully complete my degree in Math and Physics. Thank you for your time, empathy, and consideration of this request.

Sincerely,

Mingrui Li
20474659