Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: To the Associate Dean (Academic),

I am writing to respectfully submit this petition to request a waiver of the Requirement to Withdraw (RTW) decision following my recent academic standing review. I understand the seriousness of my current academic standing and take full responsibility for my academic performance. However, I would like to provide context regarding significant extenuating personal and family circumstances that have had a substantial impact on my academic functioning over the past academic year.

During the past academic year, I experienced multiple severe and ongoing family medical crises. In September 2025, my father was diagnosed with late-stage thyroid cancer, which required immediate and continuous medical attention and placed significant emotional and practical strain on my family. In addition, in April 2026, my mother was also diagnosed with thyroid cancer, further intensifying the medical and emotional challenges within my household.

Throughout this period, I was also responsible for supporting my younger sister, who began experiencing significant difficulties with school attendance and engagement. In March 2026, I became increasingly involved in addressing my sister’s situation and providing support where needed. These combined responsibilities created sustained emotional stress and disrupted my ability to maintain consistent focus on my academic work.

As a result of these circumstances, my academic performance and functioning were significantly affected. I experienced difficulty maintaining consistent study habits, managing coursework deadlines, and making timely academic decisions. For example, I was unable to withdraw from courses that I later recognized I was not in a position to successfully complete, as I missed the relevant academic deadlines during periods of heightened family crisis and emotional strain. These patterns contributed directly to my current academic standing.

While I made some attempts to continue managing my coursework, including completing the Winter term, my academic performance remained below the required standard. I acknowledge that my cumulative GPA has fallen below the Faculty’s academic progression requirements, and I take responsibility for not seeking formal academic support earlier in the process. However, at the time, I underestimated the extent to which my personal circumstances were affecting my academic functioning.

Since receiving the RTW decision, I have taken steps to better understand my academic situation and available options. I have consulted with an Academic Advisor, who indicated that my circumstances may represent a strong case for petition. I am now in the process of formally organizing supporting documentation related to my family’s medical conditions and relevant academic records.

If this petition is granted, I am committed to returning to my studies with a structured and realistic academic plan. This would include carefully managing my course load, making use of academic support resources such as advising and student learning services, and prioritizing my mental and academic well-being to ensure I can meet program expectations successfully. I also intend to improve my academic planning and seek support earlier if similar challenges arise in the future.

I respectfully request that the Faculty consider my petition to waive the Requirement to Withdraw based on these exceptional and ongoing family medical circumstances and their significant impact on my academic performance. I am committed to demonstrating that I can return to good academic standing with appropriate support and planning.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Jianxin Chen
20485265